In the business context, sustainability refers to a company’s ability to operate and thrive without depleting natural resources for the future.
Today, office buildings are significant resource consumers, utilizing large amounts of electricity for heating/cooling, lighting, and operational equipment. One United Properties has considered this aspect in the construction of each sustainable development. However, it’s also essential for individuals to adopt sustainable practices at the office. Here’s how you can contribute:
1. Choose a Sustainable Office Building
There are numerous sustainable solutions that businesses, regardless of their size, can implement. According to a McKinsey study, 40% of entrepreneurs believe that sustainable solutions will generate value for their companies within the next five years.
Locating your office in a sustainable building is one of these solutions and represents a significant step toward developing an eco-friendly business while ensuring employee safety.
Key Advantages of Sustainable Buildings:
- Specialized Systems and Technologies: Designed to maintain a safe working environment for both employees and the surrounding environment.
- Improved Productivity and Well-Being: Comfortable, flexible spaces made from eco-friendly materials encourage collaboration within the community, leading to exceptional results.
- Long-Term Business Sustainability: Successful sustainable businesses are built on healthy, dedicated people who trust their workplace and organization.
👉 Discover One North Gate, certified by BREAM for ecological building performance, focused on reducing carbon emissions and featuring durable design.
How Sustainable Businesses Stand Out:
- Enhanced Reputation: A sustainable strategy shows your community that you prioritize environmental care alongside profit.
- Increased Customer Trust: Adopting sustainable practices demonstrates professionalism and commitment to creating a healthy community.
- Employee Motivation: Sustainability initiatives motivate employees to adopt eco-friendly practices themselves.
- Cost Reduction: Although sustainable solutions require an initial investment, they lead to significant long-term savings.
With many entrepreneurs recognizing the benefits of sustainable buildings, offices in One Tower and One Herăstrău are fully leased.
👉 Looking to implement sustainable solutions? Rent office space in One Cotroceni Park, a LEED Platinum-certified development recognized globally for improving natural energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
2. Fully Power Down Devices After Work
The energy consumption of a computer depends on its capacity, features, and usage. It’s crucial to completely shut down your computer when not in use. While in “sleep” mode, a computer continues to consume energy, whereas turning it off stops consumption entirely.
Don’t forget to also turn off other devices, such as printers or scanners, to ensure efficient energy use.
3. Avoid Printing Emails
Important email conversations often prompt printing to ensure safekeeping, but this increases energy consumption. Instead, save emails as PDF files on your computer. Create a dedicated folder to organize important emails and name them appropriately for easy access.
4. Use Eco-Friendly Office Supplies
Switch to bulk tea and coffee instead of individually packaged options. This reduces waste and ensures a longer-lasting supply of essential office products.
5. Opt for Face-to-Face Meetings Over Online
While the pandemic popularized virtual meetings, in-person discussions are now viable and more sustainable. They save energy, facilitate better communication, and foster efficient decision-making. However, if using energy-intensive equipment like projectors, virtual meetings may still be the more efficient option.
6. Replace Conventional Notebooks with Sustainable Alternatives
Instead of giving employees traditional notebooks, opt for eco-friendly reusable notebooks. These allow pages to be erased with a damp cloth, ensuring the notebook can be reused indefinitely.
7. Organize a Biannual Sustainability Day
Encourage employees to propose sustainable ideas for the office. Vote on the top three solutions and reward them with small incentives. This approach fosters innovation and engagement while supporting the environment and your business.
Sustainable Actions That Make a Difference
Locating offices in sustainable buildings, powering down devices when not in use, replacing traditional supplies with eco-friendly alternatives, and encouraging innovative ideas contribute to the long-term sustainability of your business.
Photo source: shutterstock.com