Sustainability In The Workplace

Climate change, carbon footprint, sustainability – just a few terms that we are all very familiar with these days for good reason. As a business in the 21st century, many employees will look to you to lead by example, fulfilling the environmentally friendly values of a millennial employer. Perhaps your clients or partners also favor those with clear sustainability strategies or you simply want to promote good practice and inspire individuals to make a change.

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely to already be considering the green credentials of the company you own or work for and wonder what else you can do to make the world (and your office) a better place.

Sustainability In The Workplace

32% of landfill waste comes from the construction industry alone – that’s an estimated 77.4 million tonnes a year.

As the climate changes, so are the fundamentals of both design and architecture. Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) is now seen as a crucial part of designing more efficient, resourceful and high-performance buildings that not only suit the need of owners and occupants, but also the environment.

The choice of materials when designing a more environmentally friendly workplace can inherently play a large role in helping to achieve any sustainable accreditations. This was demonstrated in the fit-out of a Start-Up’s office in Madrid. Worktops were made from compressed paper, turned into stable sheet material, the bar in the breakout area was made from 100% recycled glass bottles and Tribe meticulously sourced all furniture through specialist second-hand suppliers.

A recent project for a renewable energy company in London was an exciting challenge for the project team. They needed to ensure that every part of the design would be in keeping with the client’s sustainable values. Every part of the design has environmental aspects considered such as energy-efficient light fittings, recycled materials, acoustics and the use of only water-based paints. Bike racks have been installed to encourage and allow for more eco-friendly travel to and from the office. In addition, the aesthetic of the design features many plants, troughs, and moss walls, not only contributing towards a healthier, happier work environment but also acting as a constant reminder of their relationship with, and commitment to, nature.

a new hope

When looking ahead towards the future workplace, we predict that new innovations will also be likely to play a huge role in creating a working environment that uses less energy through technologies and takes advantage of digital insights to drive better behaviors.

The increased awareness of sustainability within the workplace has already created a shift in mindset for many companies. Whether it’s placing a focus on designing in a way that’s kinder to the environment, considering waste management or making small changes around the office, all of these things have the ability to contribute to reducing your workplaces’ carbon footprint whilst encouraging employees to do so too.

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