Make Every Day Earth Day at the Office
Earth Day is Saturday, April 22nd. This annual event started as a way to remind people to change their behaviors to reduce the negative effects they have on the environment. Sadly, it’s only one day though. And most people go back to their usual routines on April 23rd.
Many of the things we all do daily – without even thinking about them – are harming the earth.
Did you know that the average person generates over 4.6 pounds of trash every day?
Or, that U.S offices use 12.1 trillion sheets of paper a year.
And that recycling 1 ton of paper saves around 682.5 gallons of oil, 26,500 liters of water and 17 trees.
We’ve all seen statistics like this before. We feel bad, but often the numbers don’t move us enough to make any long-term changes.
Surely as business owners, there are ways that we can make changes so that we are contributing to environmental awareness and making a larger impact every day – all year long.
Leading by example and encouraging employees to make a difference at work can also give them the motivation they need to do the same at home.
Adopting green habits can have many positive effects on the earth and your business too!
Studies show that in addition to helping the environment, going green can boost employee morale.
Eco-friendly organizations can also save money on reduced energy and supply costs.
And, today’s consumers often seek out environmentally friendly companies which means increased sales and revenue.
There are even tax breaks and government financial incentives for greening your workspace.
So, if implementing green practices can improve your brand’s reputation, save you money and give you a leg up on the competition, isn’t it worth it?
If your answer is yes, then see how these ideas can help you get started:
- Use double-sided printing to reduce paper usage. Designate some paper free days each month.
- Switch to a green office cleaning company or request that your current company use only non-toxic cleaning supplies.
- Encourage your employees to bring in reusable food containers and coffee mugs.
- Purchase a water cooler for your employees instead of using bottled water.
- Start an eco-friendly team by bringing interested employees together on Earth Day. Have them find new green initiatives that can be added to your ongoing business practices.
- Recycle more. There are numerous ways to start or expand your workplace recycling program.
There is true power in numbers. If every business implemented just a few of these earth-friendly initiatives each year, imagine the difference we could make together.
Everything we do has a direct impact on our environment, our health and the earth. The more we commit to making small, simple changes not just on Earth Day but every day, the bigger the progress we can make in saving and protecting the earth for future generations.
image credit: muslimheritage.com
