Climate change is already a reality and, as a consequence, the catastrophic effects it may bring are worrying thousands of companies that are starting to commit to sustainability in the workplace and an environmental and green policy. In fact, Forbes magazine published last year that companies such as Bimbo, Nestlé, Grupo Herdez or Iberostar already have sustainability plans in place since the beginning of this century. One of them is Bimbo's Integrated Environmental Management System, which has been in place since 2002. Did you know that?
Although the attempt to driving sustainability at work While this may pose numerous challenges such as lack of budget, lack of time to implement the measures or the difficulty of changing the company's corporate culture, the advantages are innumerable.
Firstly, being sustainable can help you to collaborate with and profit from other sustainable businesses. On the other hand, a large number of investors target sustainable businesses, so we can attract new market opportunities.
Sustainability awareness has taken hold in different sectors such as the textile and food industries, so as customers are becoming increasingly fanatical about sustainability, you can give your products added value while improving your company's image. In addition, practices such as recycling or making the most of materials can help to, in the long run, improve your company's image, reduce production costs and increase profits.
How can you drive sustainability at work and get your employees to commit to it? Here's how.
Since many of your employees are likely to lack knowledge about sustainability or have never worked in a sustainable company, it is essential to develop an action plan to train them in this respect.
So, if you have room to do so, hire people trained in this area and create information sessions for your employees on topics such as recycling. To make it more enjoyable, you can organise ‘sustainable breakfasts’ where you can give talks while your workers take a breakfast break.
Allocate an area in your offices for waste recycling. One of the problems that arise from sustainability at work is that employees don't dispose of their waste in the right place, so creating bins that easily indicate where to dispose of waste can prevent waste and therefore environmental problems. It's basically about making it easy for people.
Your offices are what they are, though, if we seek to promote sustainability in the workplace, Try using the windows to get light by leaving the blinds up so you don't have to use so much electricity. This will not only save on electricity costs, but it will also make your employees happy by giving them vitamin D and giving them a moment of relaxation when they are on their break.
Whenever you have to buy equipment, try to favour local products over imported ones. From computers and desks to breakfast for your employees. In the latter case, there is always a reliable company that will supply you with fruit and other healthy, organic products for a small price.
Buying locally will ultimately reduce the need to travel. This will help reduce pollution and, as a result, promote sustainability at and from work.
The fight against plastic is already a reality. A large number of companies are making a commitment to avoid the use of this material by reducing packaging or eliminating elements of our daily lives made of plastic.
Products such as water bottles or the typical single-use cups can be replaced by or, eco-friendly glass bottles and mugs.
To encourage people to use these materials, give away sustainable packs that motivate employees to make sustainability at work their daily routine. As you can see, your decisions can be crucial in making your company a fairer and greener world. Therefore, implementing these and other decisions can make your company more attractive, involved and environmentally friendly. And in your office, have you already implemented any of these measures? Which of these tips are you going to promote from now on? Tell us about it on social networks and stay tuned to our blog, See you soon, edenreder!
