Utilizing green and sustainable practices is becoming more and more prominent across workplaces and businesses in the United States. At LACOSTA, we are dedicated to using sustainable, eco-friendly methods for cleaning. In fact, our commitment to environmental sustainability has made us a preferred janitorial services provider across a myriad of industries, including, but not limited to, industrial manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, consumer products manufacturing, and education.
On account of the importance of incorporating and using sustainable waste practices in the workplace, we will be discussing in this article a number of ways your business can make small changes to promote sustainability.
Incentivize Reducing by Reusing
One of the best ways to improve sustainable waste practices is to create less waste in the first place. Your business can incentivize this by encouraging employees to reuse coffee mugs, water bottles, and other items. You can do this by providing company employees with branded mugs or water bottles when they are hired. Not only do these sorts of things make new employees feel welcome and get them excited to join your team, but they also incentivize employees to reduce waste. Plus, if your employees use them outside the workplace, it can be a way to promote subliminal advertising.
Start a Recycling Program
Workplaces should use recycling bins throughout the workplace, usually with one next to every generic trash receptacle. However, recycling can be encouraged in ways other than just placing recycling bins throughout the workplace.
For example, your worksite can provide employees with the ability to recycle old computer parts and other electronic items from the workplace and potentially even from their homes. This is especially important if you plan to do a significant office remodel and install new electronics throughout the workplace.
Manage Energy Efficiently and Effectively
Energy is often one of the easiest ways for businesses to cut down on consumption.
One of the best ways to do this is to have an energy audit done. Just sealing the leaks and cracks in a workplace can cut heating and cooling costs significantly, meaning not only are you using sustainable practices, but your business is saving money as well!
You can also install occupancy sensors on light switches to turn off if the room is left empty and the lights are accidentally left on. Additionally, if you are building additions to your worksite, you can emphasize building in a way so as to maximize natural lighting.
Businesses can also invest in energy-efficient equipment and appliances. Oftentimes, after performing cost calculations, these energy-efficient appliances are the better and more cost-effective option.
Water Conservation
Are you planning on remodeling the restrooms in your worksite? Are you going to build another bathroom? Then this can be a great opportunity to install low-flow toilets and sink faucets that can help cut down on water waste. There are also water recycling and reusing measures that can be utilized, including greywater.
Greywater, in particular, is a big aspect of water conservation. Grey water is the water that has been used by essentially all appliances and utilities except for toilets. Though it still has impurities and contaminants, it can be used for certain specific purposes, such as toilet flushing and the irrigation of plants. Of course, this has to be done properly with practiced and certified techniques for safety reasons.
All-in-all, these are all ways to cut down on water consumption and reduce the water bill as well!
Reduce Paper Use and Go Digital
Reducing paper use is another way to facilitate sustainable waste practices since it helps cut down on the waste to begin with. Obviously, some businesses have to use paper, so this is not an option for everyone. However, if your business can go digital or shift a lot of aspects of the operation from paper to digital, this can be a great way to reduce paper use, reduce waste, and save money.
Can documents in your workplace be printed double-sided instead of single-sided? If so, this is a super-easy way to cut your paper usage and waste in half!
Remember, just because paper can be recycled does not mean it is completely waste-free. Cutting down on paper is often one of the easiest ways to reduce waste.
Donate Unwanted and Unused Office Supplies
It is not uncommon for supplies at offices to go unused and just get thrown out. This is a terrible waste not only from a sustainability point of view but in general. These supplies can often be donated to schools and nonprofit organizations. This way, not only do you not have to throw out good supplies, but someone else can benefit from them!
Develop and Implement Work Policies with an Eye for Sustainability
Another way to incentivize sustainable waste practices is to develop and implement policies that help employees understand what is expected of them. For example, policies like powering down equipment and electronics at the end of the day and printing documents double-sided facilitate a sustainable workplace and encourage ordered and structured business operations in a clear, understandable way.
Conclusion
Using sustainable waste practices in your workplace is one of the best objectives and goals your business can have. Not only does this help the environment, but these practices can also save your business money in the long-run. This means many of these policies and practices have virtually no downside! What could be better?
Obviously, not every business can implement all of these practices, and this list of sustainability recommendations is by no means exhaustive. However, just doing a few things or making a few changes to your business’ operating procedures can make a huge difference!
At LACOSTA, we pride ourselves on our eco-friendly, sustainable approach to cleaning, and we are always looking for ways to help our clients improve their workplace.
As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! If you are interested in working with LACOSTA, we will always be happy to discuss our services, offerings, and recommendations in more depth!