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Sustainability Tips for Smarter, Greener Coworking Spaces
Flexible workspaces have emerged as leaders in the movement toward a more sustainable way of working. As environmental concerns take centre stage across industries, these spaces are proving that business can be both adaptable and eco-conscious.
From cutting the daily commute to encouraging shared energy usage, flexible offices aren’t just reacting to change, but they’re driving it. However, even as they set the standard, there’s always room to grow greener.
So, how can we continue pushing sustainable practices forward in the world of flexible work? Grab your reusable water bottles and let’s dive in.
Champion Waste Reduction and Recycling
In a flexible workspace, going green becomes a collective, collaborative effort and offer the perfect opportunity to enable small, meaningful habits that reduce waste and encourage smarter consumption.
Going paperless is one of the easiest first steps, and in our tech-driven world, it’s also highly practical. By promoting digital workflows and reducing our reliance on print, businesses can save paper and cut costs.
Providing plenty of well-marked recycling stations throughout the workspace also makes it simple for everyone to do their part. A robust recycling programme should include not just paper, but plastics, glass, and electronic waste. Pair that with encouragement to use reusable coffee cups, bottles, and cutlery, and suddenly greener living becomes a seamless part of the office routine.
Embrace Energy Efficiency
Sustainability can be embedded into every detail across the workspace, even the office supply cupboard! By choosing eco-friendly supplies such as recycled paper, refillable pens, and non-toxic inks, businesses can make their day-to-day operations greener without sacrificing function.
It’s not just about what you buy, but it’s also about who you buy from. Partnering with ethical vendors who prioritise sustainability or offer recycling schemes helps reduce unnecessary waste and aligns your office with wider environmental goals.
When it comes to energy use, small changes can make a big difference. Light up office spaces with energy-efficient LED bulbs and adopt smart technologies to conserve power to significantly lower your environmental impact while saving pennies in the process.
It’s not just about efficiency – your lighting design should also inspire. Offering a mix of overhead and adjustable lighting options creates a comfortable, flexible environment tailored to the individual needs of your users. In fact, smart workspace design has been shown to influence everything from mood to productivity.
Complement these changes with energy-efficient appliances, smart thermostats, and policies that encourage employees to shut down electronics when not in use. Together, these small actions in energy consumption can add up to significant reductions over time.
Source Sustainable Supplies
Everyone loves an office supply closet, but this can be an area of sustainable change too. By choosing eco-friendly office supplies, such as recycled paper, refillable pens, and non-toxic inks, businesses can make their day-to-day operations greener without sacrificing function.
But it’s not just about what you buy – it’s also about who you buy from. When selecting vendors and partners with ethical vendors who prioritise those who share your commitment to sustainability and ethical practices or offer recycling schemes to help reduce unnecessary waste as part of your wider environmental goals.
Sustainable Can Be Stylish
Sustainability and style now go hand in hand, especially in the community-driven atmosphere of flexible workspaces. Think reclaimed wood desks, upcycled furnishings, and a mix of textures that seamlessly marry both professional and functional aesthetics.
Embrace natural materials, chemical-free paints, partner with local producers, and bring the outside in with office plants and water features that help workers channel their creativity, boost productivity and feel more at-ease in the process.
Promote Green Commuting
One of the most impactful ways to reduce your business’s carbon footprint is by taking the Tube, walking, cycling or carpooling. At Adapt, our eco-friendly commuting starts with our infrastructure: bike racks, showers, and changing facilities all make cycling or walking to work a real option.
Access to reliable public transport is a major factor when choosing your office location. At Adapt, our flexible office is just outside London, making journeying easier than ever. Explore why Uxbridge is the perfect spot for sustainable business.
Empower Future Change-Makers
Sustainability should not be just a tick box exercise for businesses operating in the modern world. It’s a commitment that comes with a journey, one that helps facilitate growth rather than expose a business for its failures.
Empowering teams with the tools, knowledge, and motivation to make sustainable choices is key to long-term impact. Flexible workspaces can nurture this culture by hosting talks, workshops, and lunch-and-learns that provide coworkers with this knowledge; from green initiatives to more mindful work habits, nurturing a culture of sustainability that involves everyone, and showcase that sustainability is so much more than recycling.
And this is where the power of community shines. Shared spaces like Adapt don’t just support innovation, they create opportunities to grow together. Implement greener solutions when working at Adapt by looking out for talks about sustainability on the Member of the Future app, swap your drive for a bike ride through Uxbridge, or remember and co-work towards a sustainable office revolution.