The last two decades have seen a significant shift towards green initiatives, and the corporate workplace has not escaped the momentum. The ever-widening search for innovative ways to be environmentally conscious has inevitably led to the realization that an office with abundant greenery has additional significant benefits for the business – whether it be for brand awareness, employee health, or competitive edge. The move towards sustainability has led to the coining of a new term in the business world – the “green office.”
What Exactly is a Green Office?
Simply put, a green office is an environmentally friendly workspace. The reason behind cultivating a green office environment is to reduce the impact that company activities have on the surrounding environment, including:
- Lowering the usage of non-renewable fossil energy
- Minimizing any impact on climate change
- Integrating with nature to cultivate a more sustainable workplace
The History of the Green Office
In 2002, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) introduced the WWF Green Office management system. The system is appropriate for all types of businesses, from SMBs to large corporations.
This system represents a standard for companies to establish their own green workspace protocols, providing criteria to evaluate effectiveness in minimizing CO2 emissions. These offices are meant to inspire employees to change their personal behaviors, creating a ripple effect that guarantees a more sustainable future for everyone.
What Do These Offices Look Like?
A green office generally refers to a workplace or business environment that focuses on sustainable practices in many areas. Efforts may include:
- Implementing more energy-efficient technologies into the office space, such as LED lighting, motion sensors, and energy-efficient appliances, lowers resource consumption.
- Introducing recycling initiatives, minimizing the use of paper, and discouraging single-use plastics.
- Procuring sustainably sourced office supplies, equipment, and furniture made from recycled materials.
- Installing water-conserving fixtures, encouraging water-saving practices, and reducing water waste in the operation of the business.
- Promoting eco-friendly transportation solutions such as carpooling, biking, or using public transportation to reduce carbon emissions.
Greenery and the Workplace
Additional Green Office initiatives involve installing plants, living walls, and other greenery in a corporate workplace.
When green plants are placed throughout the office, they can significantly contribute to cleaner air and better air quality. Businesses can elevate air quality even further by maintaining proper ventilation systems to filter out additional toxins and pollutants.
Designing indoor or outdoor green spaces within the office environment will not only promote cleaner air but help to reduce stress levels and support the overall well-being of employees.
Study: Greenery Meaningfully Improves Productivity
According to a 2014 study, installing and arranging plants in an office environment can make employees feel more content – and increase productivity by up to 15%. The study stated that “offices with many plants show employees that their employers care about them and their welfare. Moreover, these types of offices create a comfortable, cool space, thereby helping employees work more effectively.”
This study is considered the first in-depth assessment of the long-term effect of the surrounding environment on productivity. The findings revealed that investing in the workplace by adding greenery maximized employees’ quality of life and work productivity.
Integrating green spaces into the work environment has also been shown to help employees combat stress more effectively, increase their levels of patience, and enjoy more life/work satisfaction.
Plant Leasing Simplifies the Green Office
The professionals at Tropex have long known the benefits of greenery in the workplace. For over 40 years, they have worked with Sarasota and Manatee companies to incorporate beautiful plants, trees, and living walls into their locations—be it retail space, corporate office, or health care facility.
If you are interested in transforming your office into a “green office”, call Tropex today.
