Going Green Can Enhance Productivity

According to Brie Weiler Reynolds,, writing for flex jobs, the term “going green” means different things to different people. But, in general, going green means making conscious and sustainable choices that help you reduce, rescue, and recycle. There are a lot of ways to go green, but no one “right” way to do it.

For some, going green means choosing products that can be recycled or that come from recycled materials. Other people purchase used items, buying new only when there’s no choice. Some people buy an electric vehicle or ditch the car altogether and bike, walk, or carpool instead.

The following guest blog by Lana Hawkins addresses a green workplace and how it can influence the work ethics of employees.

We already know that going green and making eco-conscious decisions on a daily basis can bring a host of benefits to both our environment and ourselves, but what about our work ethic and our workspace? If you browse around, you’ll find numerous articles on how you can green your home, but why not take it a step further and reduce your ecological footprint even more? Regardless of whether you’re a boss or an employee, there’s a number of changes you can implement to make both your work ethic and your workspace green and eco-friendly. If you’re not sure where to begin, here’s a list of five effective tips to help get you started.

Eliminate vampire power

Offices are full of devices and gadgets that drain energy without us even noticing it. This ‘vampire power’ can result in a vast amount of wasted energy as well as money, and the best way to eliminate it is to make some small changes in the way your office functions.

Before you call it a day and head home, make sure that all the computers are shut down instead of leaving them in standby mode. When they’re in use, make sure they’re in energy-saving mode, and connect them to a power strip so you can easily turn everything off with a click. As for other devices such as printers and scanners, there’s no need for them to be plugged in if they aren’t used on a regular basis, so pull those plugs and watch as your monthly energy bill decreases.

Opt for green products and recycled office supplies

Another way to make your office greener would be to make eco-conscious choices when it comes to purchasing office supplies and products you use on a daily basis. Although an ideal solution would be to make your office paper-free, if that’s not possible, at least make sure that the paper you’re buying for the office is recycled. Swap out disposable markers, pens, and cartridges with their eco-friendly, refillable versions to reduce waste. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s also better for the environment! Want to take things a step further? Replace all the soaps, paper towels, cleaners and other products that are used on a daily basis with green, biodegradable alternatives, and buy in bulk whenever you can to prevent creating additional packaging waste.

Go digital!

One of the major advantages of living in a digital era is being able to save all the important files and documents in digital versions rather than print them out on paper. Letters can easily be replaced with e-mails, and documents can be sent and reviewed online instead of being printed out on paper. Sorting and finding documents and files is also a lot easier when they’re in digital form, and in case you need to move offices, it’s much easier to take your digital files with you than to move the entire file cabinets. By going digital, you’ll save money, time, and valuable resources, which is a win-win situation all around.

Design a green workspace

Aside from implementing these small yet effective day-to-day changes, you may also want to consider redesigning your workspace to make it more eco-friendly. Start by introducing furnishings made from recycled materials and painted with low VOC paints. Choose carpets that are made using eco-friendly materials, and make sure you have a good ventilation system as it will inevitably affect indoor air quality. You also want to make sure that your workspace gets enough light, both natural and artificial. The best option would be to consult with a leading company for LED lighting solutions in your area and design a lighting system that combines visual comfort, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. Not only will a smart lighting system help save energy but it will also improve workplace productivity and boost employee motivation.

Bring in the greenery

One of the fastest and easiest ways to green your office is to incorporate greenery into its design. Other than cleaning the air and acting as noise-absorbers, plants can also help bring the productivity levels up, not to mention the calming effect they can have on employees, thus promoting well-being and higher levels of performance. Low-maintenance office plants are your safe bet, but you can also take it one step further and incorporate green walls for a more pronounced, trendy biophilic design. Because it’s such an effective work office decor, adding greenery into your workspace can help you create a pleasant, green ambiance that is as beneficial for the environment as it is for the employees.

Incorporating some eco-friendly changes, no matter how big or small, is an effective way for companies to improve their employees’ work ethic, boost their performance, and create a motivating and inspiring office space. Try implementing some of the five green tips listed above and watch as your workspace transforms into a safe, healthy, and environmentally-friendly work environment in which your employees will thrive.

About the author: Lana Hawkins is a stay-at-home mom, writer, and interior design enthusiast. She loves writing about interiors, but her specialty is landscape design. She enjoys playing in the kitchen, and cooking for her friends and family, spending time in nature and learning about other cultures by travelling. She is a regular contributor to smoothdecorator.com

Blog posted by Dr. Steven Mintz, aka Ethics Sage, on February 20, 2020. Steve’s Workplace Ethics Advice blog has been recognized as one of the top 30 best blogs on CSR by Market Inspector (https://www.market-inspector.co.uk/blog/2015/09/30-exceptional-csr-blogs). He recently published a book, Beyond Happiness and Meaning: Transforming Your Life Through Ethical Behavior, that explains how doing the right thing and being a good person can enhance well-being. The book is available on Amazon. Visit his website, sign up for his newsletter, follow him on Facebook and “Like” his page.