1. Do Thorough Research

The first and most important thing you can do during this process is research. Without it, you likely won’t be able to implement effective policies. Start by looking into the basics. Find detailed definitions of important terms like sustainability, carbon footprints, climate change, and carbon emissions. You’ll also want to look into how well your business is doing regarding eco-friendliness. This can be done in a very specific manner. Sites such as Persus have the ability to rate businesses in terms of sustainability. Be sure that you stay cautious while doing this research. Look into your sources, particularly the online ones, to ensure that your information is correct.

2. Choose Some Causes

Unfortunately, you probably won’t be able to make significant steps toward sustainability in every possible area. Your initiatives are also more likely to make an impact with customers if you have specificity. Therefore, you may want to choose specific causes to support. For instance, a restaurant could focus on replacing plastic bottles or providing reusable silverware. In order to support your causes further, you can search for charities and non-profits that have similar interests. Tell customers and employees about these organizations and encourage making donations. You can also begin collaborating with the organizations and hosting events. 

3. Personalize Your Plan

Every business works differently. Therefore, every business has unique sustainability issues. In order to create the most effective sustainability plan possible, you must pinpoint the areas your business either can or should change. One thing that most businesses can work on is using less paper. Trade a printer and copier for software that can share documents. If you’re looking for a more specific starting point, consider your products and practices. Sometimes the needed change is inherently connected with your fundamental business plan. For instance, a clothing shop should consider switching to sustainable fabrics. 

4. Create Incentives

While making a difference for the environment is certainly inspirational, it isn’t always enough of an incentive. If your initiatives don’t seem to be catching on due to a lack of incentives, you can always create some. Make it more beneficial for customers to collaborate with you in increasing sustainability. For instance, you could provide a discount for those that purchase eco-friendly options. You also don’t need to limit your incentives to customers. Encourage your employees to become more sustainable and provide rewards for those that do. 

5. Get the Word Out

If you’re worried about losing funds while creating sustainability, keep in mind that these initiatives have the ability to bring in money. Essentially, modern customers are generally interested in supporting eco-friendly companies. This is because supporting sustainable businesses allows for guilt-free shopping. Therefore, it’s wise to loudly advertise your initiatives. Don’t make people look for your practices in the fine print. In fact, you may even want to make an entire marketing campaign based on these changes. Just be sure to emphasize the environment above everything else. While it’s important to display your practices, you don’t want to come off as selfish or unauthentic.

If you’re passionate about increasing your sustainability, you’ll likely find a way to effectively do so. Stay invested and make a difference through your business.

The post 5 Tips for Implementing Sustainability Practices as a Small Business appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

1. Start With Ecological Training

When you are deciding upon a career, you want to make the best choice because it will affect the rest of your life. Those that decide to take the dental assistant programs will become a necessary part of a dental business. If you find a dental practice that is trying to lessen the carbon footprint they create, then that is even better. The owners of the dental practice can teach their employees the importance of taking care of the planet. 

A dental practice should recruit and teach workers how to protect the environment and help out the earth by starting at their office. This is the easiest way to make your company more environmentally friendly and can also give your staff invaluable skills they may transfer to another position.

2. Go Paperless

The paper that is used in many offices is both unnecessary in this digital age and dangerous to the growth of forests on our planet. You can avoid deforestation and excess pollution of our environment by implementing a digital records database. This can help preserve the number of trees on earth to soak up all the excess carbon monoxide from our environment and it can also cut down on the amount of clutter and excess paper that many businesses collect.

3. Shop Local Goods

Not only should you try to source goods that are made close to you, but you should also order a great quantity at once. When you order goods for your business, it is important to take transit into account when calculating your businesses’ carbon footprint. Locally sourced items have to travel a smaller distance, and ordering a lot at one time means you can stock up and be the cause for even less traffic.

4. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Your business probably throws away a lot of things that can still be used. Renovating an item, breaking it apart for usable components, or even turning them into an art piece can all breathe new life into your office but can also save you a ton of money on refurbishment. This can help the environment whether you do it at home or at work.

5. Reduce Your Dependence on Fossil Fuels

Your company can cut its reliance on an unsustainable resource like gasoline simply by adding hybrid vehicles or vehicles that use alternative fuel to your business fleet of transportation. Many companies are also offering incentives to employees who make the switch to a more sustainable automobile for their private use. You might consider setting your office up for remote work. Even just one daily commute from an employee can greatly add to your rate of carbon emission.

6. Know Exactly the Effect Your Business Has

Knowing just how much impact your business has on the world around it is a great piece of information to have if you want to add some environmental innovation to your office or learn from past mistakes and try to do better. Consult with an outside firm who can perform an environmental audit so that you can post results with no one calling into question the relationship between the two businesses. They can make a ton of suggestions that can make your office a more environmentally friendly place, including switching to LED bulbs, doing away with plastic disposable goods, and other small but important changes.

7. Encourage Others to Be More Mindful

A huge part of making your office more sustainable and eco-friendly is adding opportunities for people to choose the more environmentally friendly option. Do not make single use, plastic items available. Install recycling bins around the office. If given a chance, most people will choose to do the more sustainable thing. Host regular meetings where you go over proper recycling format. Try to create the idea of taking care of the planet as “cool” and many more people will want to help you.

The post 7 Eco-Friendly Changes to Make to Your Business appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

The Need for Sustainability

The coronavirus has affected almost every country in the world to a great extent. You’ll notice how some regions recover and work toward flattening the curve before backsliding. Health is the primary concern during this back-and-forth dynamic. 

The economy is another primary concern. With unemployment skyrocketing in the United States to over 14% in April, local businesses and bigger companies are both taking a hit. 

In the overlap of declining public health and struggling businesses, communities are having a difficult time recovering. Higher levels of air pollution and unsustainable business practices worsen this recovery. For instance, a Harvard study recently linked air pollution with higher COVID-19 mortality rates. Since the coronavirus is a respiratory virus, lower air quality can be the difference between life and death. 

Fortunately, however, a focus on the environment and sustainability objectives shows a healthier path forward where every individual and company can benefit. Business sustainability is key to this path. 

People want to go back to the status quo — when things were business-as-normal, and no one had to worry about COVID-19. Interestingly, though, the pandemic highlights what companies must change to reach a new, better status quo. 

Businesses contribute to a high portion of greenhouse gas pollution. In 2018, 22% of greenhouse gas emissions were industry-related, meaning that corporations have a long way to go in becoming sustainable. Waste management, energy use, recycling and resource consumption all influence sustainability, too. For a safe future where the economy can thrive for companies of any size, businesses must act now to protect consumers and reduce the effects of climate change. 

How Businesses Should Take Action

Sustainability requires collectivism. People must come together to focus on the common goal of reversing the effects of climate change and protecting the planet. Businesses have many actionable steps to take to reach sustainability objectives and adopt renewable practices.  

First and foremost, companies need to focus on people first. Part of building a sustainable future means ensuring that employees can contribute to the workplace efficiently. To do so, they need proper pay and benefits. Healthy well-being, on an individual and collective level, is the start of a healthy economy and planet.

Businesses need an overhaul regarding public health. You may have seen more public commitments to recycling, reducing waste and conserving energy as the pandemic affects human and environmental health. This trend must continue. Renewable energy, specifically, is key for business sustainability — it helps reduce that 22% of industrial emissions and therefore improves the poor air quality harming individuals.

These practices should then expand across the supply chain. COVID-19 has shown how supply chains across the world cannot handle disruption. If you think back to the beginning of the outbreak, you may remember how grocery stores were selling out of essential products — the supply chain couldn’t keep up. 

However, with a more sustainable supply chain, corporations and consumers will see a change. Once one business reduces its waste production and energy and water usage and focuses on renewable energy, others along the supply chain can follow suit. Globalization of business sustainability is the way forward. 

Finally, these steps bring businesses closer to a circular economy — meaning nothing goes to waste, and renewable and sustainability objectives become the central focus. 

An Environmentally Conscious Economy

Sustainability is a sign of progress in the business world. Whether it’s a sustainable supply chain or renewable power solutions, these steps forward show consumers that a business is environmentally conscious. You’ll find more companies you can trust that have the best interests of the public and the environment in mind. For long-term benefits that keep consumers coming back to buy, a business must pursue sustainability.

The post The Pandemic Could Make Businesses Prioritize Sustainability appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Due to the coronavirus, you may now be working from home. Many people, though, do so normally and may continue after the pandemic passes. Whichever group you fall into, telecommuting itself is a sustainable choice. 

Transportation causes 28% of greenhouse gas emissions. This sector includes anything from planes to ships to trains to passenger vehicles. Commuting to and from work every day is a main culprit of this 28%. 

When you work from home, you no longer need to commute long distances, which saves you money and time. It protects the environment from harmful emissions, as well. 

Use Lighting to Your Advantage

When you work in an office, you might not realize that all the little things add up. Lighting, for instance, is one of those smaller details that can impact your sustainability. 

First, you should opt for natural lighting whenever possible. If you set up your workstation where there’s a lot of natural light, you won’t need to use artificial lighting as much. 

Certain lightbulbs like LEDs or compact fluorescent lights are sustainable options for when you do need artificial lighting. In fact, they typically use 25-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs — a statistic that saves you money. 

Buy the Right Materials

If you’re just starting your work-from-home adventure, you’ll need to invest in some sustainable necessities. Likewise, if you’ve been working from home for a while now, you can still do the same. 

Invest in electronics that have EPEAT or ENERGY STAR certifications to ensure eco-friendliness. When you see these certifications, you can trust they meet certain standards that help sustainability. 

Elsewhere, you can invest in recycled supplies that use nontoxic materials. Desks, chairs, stationery and writing tools are beneficial options to buy. When you dispose of these materials, they are more likely to biodegrade and not leach harmful toxins into the ground or water supply. 

Since working from home can be distracting, too, you might want to look into tools and tips for soundproofing your workspace. Reducing distractions while working from home will help you keep the same levels of productivity you’d have if you were in the office.

Save Power

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your energy bill may have you scratching your head. Luckily, sustainable solutions can help you reduce your bill and improve upon your work-from-home energy consumption. 

Home office electronics are one of the main energy vampires — something that sucks energy without you knowing. This drainage occurs when you leave things plugged in. Therefore, the solution is simply to unplug them when not in use. Additionally, you can make sure your devices have a sleep mode. Then, you can take it a step further and invest in energy-saving power strips or outlets. 

When you buy used, too, you are keeping the chain of technology recycling going. This act prevents e-waste and saves money. 

Go Paperless

If you are going to buy notebooks and other paper-based products, you should make sure they’re recycled. However, if you can avoid those purchases, going paperless is a sustainable option. 

Americans use about 85 million tons of paper per year, which averages out to roughly 680 pounds per person. When you go paperless, you are saving hundreds of pounds of paper and also preserving trees. 

Technology has proved that it is a reliable way to create, store and share documents and information. Something like Google Docs can act as your company’s knowledge base so you never have to use paper. For instance, billing and transferring documents can now be done completely online. 

The Little Things

Things like LED lightbulbs or energy-saving outlets add up. However, remember that other small details can also help work-from-home sustainability. Being eco-friendly is about fostering a better connection between you, your workspace and the environment. Something like buying plants for your office can improve air quality and breathability. Small tweaks can make a big difference and improve your telecommuting experience.

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Pursuing zero waste means finding ways to use resources as efficiently as possible. It also means eliminating the materials sent by a company to the landfill. Discover some of the advantages — as well as tips — for achieving this vision.

Why Does Zero Waste Make Good Business Sense?

Can going zero waste be self-serving? It turns out that it can. Here are some of the reasons why every company should get more serious about zero waste.

Healthier World 

Eliminating business waste means dramatically reducing hazardous discharges from landfills into the soil, air and waterways. Fewer toxins in the environment mean healthier human populations across the board — including, more than likely, fewer sick days taken by employees.

More Jobs

Doubling-down on recycling and reusing our waste creates 10 times as many jobs as waste disposal alone. From communities to nations, zero waste serves as an economic stimulus.

Slashed Expenses

Waste management is a lucrative business for a reason. Companies that reduce or eliminate this line item from their budgets put themselves in a far better position to compete, no matter their industry.

Competitive Performance

It doesn’t make sense for companies to drag their feet on this issue. Consumer research has demonstrated for years that sustainable brands outperform those that haven’t made similar commitments. From post-consumer materials in products to biodegradable packaging, shoppers actively look for good environmental stewards when they make purchases.

Employee Engagement

Initiatives like onsite composting keep useful food waste out of landfills. They could also jump-start a company or community garden, creating a pro-social way to keep employees engaged and communities aware of your brand.

Even if companies choose to focus only on the cost savings, the rest is the icing on the cake. Switching to reusable products saves money over the long run. Reducing and eliminating waste even helps businesses save space they could put to more productive use.

How Can a Company Build a Zero Waste Strategy?

If you’re a business leader or decision-maker interested in zero waste, learn how to develop an effective and sound strategy.

Getting Started

The first step toward saving money through zero waste is to audit the company’s waste stream.

Subaru’s U.S. manufacturing plants haven’t sent any waste to landfills since May 2004 — a mission that began with a good-faith accounting of the company’s waste stream. This initiative includes action items such as:

• Identifying the amounts and types of waste generated within the company. 
• Tracking waste from every facility and workstation over time.
• Determining appropriate receptacles for waste and finding out how frequently employees use them.
• Finding products that break down easily or ones companies can use multiple times.

The last point requires working with existing vendors or potentially finding new ones. Business partners all the way up the supply chain have a role to play here, no matter their function.

Follow Through

With the company’s waste stream accounted for, it’s time to assign an in-house group to oversee the zero-waste program. The job of this team is to help the company transition successfully, continue monitoring progress and research new opportunities to take things further. However, this team won’t be successful if they’re not working with the rest of the company to determine goals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency uses Austin, Texas, as an example of how communities and businesses can set and execute reasonable goals over time. Austin committed to a 20% reduction in solid waste sent to landfills by 2012, 75% by 2020 and 90% by 2040.

Companies must also cultivate buy-in from their workforce. Luckily, this isn’t very difficult these days. Research demonstrates that modern job-seekers prefer applying to companies that take environmental stewardship seriously. Achieving workforce buy-in begins with targeting eco-conscious applicants, which is exactly what General Motors does. The automaker has 152 zero-waste facilities, a feat they accomplished with community outreach and educating engineers and students about the methods and technology used to repurpose industrial waste and employ resources more effectively.

Ensuring Zero Waste Involves the Consumer

Ultimately, following through on zero waste means looking at every process and step in the supply chain. The job’s not through after the product reaches the consumer, for example. It’s essential to design packaging and products so that they’re easy to collect and send back to the factory for refurbishment or to be gifted or sold to a new owner.

Companies should also do more to ensure their products stand the test of time. Most consumers lament that it’s difficult to buy a product for life. Whether it’s a dishwasher or a pair of shoes, product design needs to take the long view instead of fixating on cutting costs and corners.

When a product’s time does finally arrive, let’s make sure consumers have options besides turning to landfills. Motorola once had a vision of a cell phone that, once it reached the end of its life, users could plant in the ground to grow their own sunflower. This concept is the kind of against-the-grain thinking that zero waste requires.

Implementing Your Own Zero Waste Business Strategy

Zero waste begins by cultivating an awareness of waste streams in the business community. However, following through properly means involving everybody that business touches.

The post How to Implement a Zero Waste Business Strategy appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

Discover seven reasons why small businesses should work toward efficient energy. 

1. Lower Operating Costs 

The cost of renewables, including solar, wind and geothermal power, has reached an all-time low. In fact, renewable energy is now the cheapest source of power generation in many parts of the world, even without government-backed subsidies. Meanwhile, falling technology costs make implementation easy and cost-effective. 

By opting for a more efficient source of energy, small businesses can cut operating expenses and reduce wasted resources. Organizations can also compound savings by researching available subsidies, tax credits and incentives for cutting fossil fuel use. In turn, this money can be reinvested in the business, whether it be through hiring more team members or upgrading parking facilities. 

2. Employee Health Benefits 

Efficient energy systems do more than lower costs and reduce waste. The transition away from fossil fuels also benefits indoor air quality and employee health. Asthma, for instance, affects roughly one in every 14 adults — around 7% of the population. However, studies observed reductions in asthma and respiratory-related doctor visits as a result of energy efficiency. 

An efficient system should come equipped with a generator, a component that aids employee comfort in the event of a power outage. Reliable climate control systems can prevent heat stroke — a condition possible at 90° Fahrenheit — and control humidity levels. 

3. Increased Market Value 

Green buildings, those that rely on efficient energy systems and sustainable design, see an increase in market value compared to traditional construction. In Austin, Texas, for example, green homes saw an 8% boost in resale value, an average of $25,000. Other cities that value eco-friendly construction include Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Most small business owners aren’t thinking about selling property — they’re focused on generating profits through products and services. However, a green building can be a boon when growth makes it necessary to relocate. A company can use the additional money to establish efficient practices at their new property. 

4. Freedom From Electricity

Businesses that rely on fossil fuels for energy must endure constantly shifting prices. For the second month in a row, for example, New York Harbor oil saw a price increase, going from $12.18 per MMBtu in September 2019 to $12.96 in October of the same year.

Fluctuations are not consistent and leave companies scrambling for answers. With a switch to efficient energy, however, small businesses can take advantage of prolonged stability. Prices for renewables are falling, with some able to send extra power back to the grid, generating a profit.

5. An Environmental Impact 

Perhaps one of the more apparent reasons a small business should be energy efficient is the benefit to the environment. The consumption of fossil fuels leads to greenhouse gas emissions, a major contributor to global warming. Renewables, on the other hand, produce relatively low levels of pollutants.

Extracting the fossil fuels needed to produce traditional energy also disturbs and contaminates underground water supplies. These pollutants can render freshwater, a scarce resource, unsuitable for both human and animal consumption. The extraction process also leads to a reduction in natural areas and wildlife. 

6. Enhanced Brand Image 

Today’s consumers have money to spend, but they won’t shop just anywhere. Instead, they look for sustainability, whether it be through recyclable packaging or energy-efficient operations. In three product categories — chocolate, coffee and bath supplies — items with specific eco-friendly claims grew twice as fast as those without. 

While implementing energy-efficient systems comes with start-up costs, businesses can quickly mitigate them through increased consumer interest. Small companies should promote their sustainable initiatives online, both on their website and social media channels. 

7. Greater Return on Investment

Most businesses view energy-efficient systems as an expense, a standpoint that’s logical in assessing non-efficient products. However, the utility savings and customer generation turn the transition into an investment. These savings offset the initial start-up cost and offer a significant return compared to conventional alternatives.

As fossil fuel prices continue to rise, the return pocketed will increase over time. According to experts, if we continue to burn these resources at our current rate, they will begin to run out within 30 years. Businesses that make the switch to renewables can insulate themselves from future scarcity. 

Why Should Small Businesses Be Energy-Efficient? 

Energy-efficient operations, along with the adoption of renewables, is a must for the future of all businesses, big or small. While many companies put off the transition due to high start-up costs, the benefits above outline why the move is a viable one. 

From lower operating costs to enhanced employee well-being, learn how to make the switch to efficient energy today. 

The post 7 Reasons Why Small Businesses Should Be Energy Efficient appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

However, when it comes to the 21^st century office, there’s one overwhelmingly unsustainable element common to almost all companies. Technology. Every office is now stacked high with devices of all kinds, from computers and printers to state-of-the-art IoT devices and, of course, smartphones and the lithium-ion batteries used to power almost everything. Technology may be bringing us closer, but the huge amount of e-waste generated by our tech obsession is among the defining issues of our age—with an estimated 6.9 million tons of e-waste generated in the US in 2016.  

Not only is the number of devices rising fast, but the challenges surrounding e-waste recycling are not easily solved. Toxic elements and complex recycling requirements mean much of our e-waste is never recycled at all. Additionally, the rate at which devices become obsolete is putting huge strains on existing recycling systems. So, for every office striving for sustainability the question remains, how do you manage and recycle e-waste effectively? Here, we take a look at how you can boost your office’s sustainability credentials using the three R—reduce, reuse, recycle. 

First, Reduce

Reduction is always the most preferable option in the fight against any type of waste. However, when it comes to technology, it can sometimes be difficult to identify how to reduce the number of devices and pieces of equipment within the office environment. The key is to ensure that all equipment is used to its full potential, and anything left to gather dust is sent on to a better home before being thrown out. Always ask yourself (and employees), whether an upgrade to the latest piece of tech is necessary or just desired. 

Other ways you can reduce e-waste in the office is to go paperless (or minimize the need for printers), ensure rechargeable batteries are used wherever possible, and to move more of your computing infrastructure to the cloud. Today, as cloud technology continues to develop, we’re less reliant on in-house devices than ever before, so ensure your business takes advantage of it the next time you consider upgrading. 

Then Reuse or Repair

Reusing older devices and repairing broken devices are a close second in the waste management hierarchy. Reusing things such as refillable printer cartridges, rechargeable batteries (again), and any other equipment that may not be up to the daily task of office life, yet can be used elsewhere, is critical. Another important thing to think about is repair—thousands of devices are discarded every year which, apart from say a broken touchscreen or dead battery, are otherwise perfectly serviceable. 

Additionally, ensure that any equipment that is not in use but still working is donated. This is particularly important in the fast-paced world of business, where often, the latest technology is required to keep pace with the competition. Whenever upgrading computers, servers, smartphones or any other device, ensure old equipment is donated so they can be reused elsewhere. 

Finally, Recycle

Remember, recycling e-waste is difficult and expensive. Recycling should, in fact, be your last option after you’ve exhausted both reduction and reuse or repair. However, if equipment or consumables are no longer of any use at all, then there are a few ways to ensure they are recycled effectively. 

For businesses that have large amounts of e-waste to dispose of, say a bank of servers or computer monitors, then on-demand collections from local waste management companies will allow you to easily organize transportation while also ensuring your e-waste is delivered to the correct facilities. For smaller amounts of waste, then many municipalities will offer designated collection points—simply contact your local authority to find out where and what types of e-waste are accepted. 

The post Managing a Sustainable Office — Recycling E-Waste appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

Can Your Roof Support Solar Panels?

The first thing you need to look at is your building itself. Is your roof capable of supporting the weight of traditional solar panels, or do you need to look for alternatives? 

Most roofs can hold up to the additional weight of solar panels, but photovoltaic panels can be heavy, weighing between 33 and 50 pounds each. If you’re planning to end your reliance on the local grid and switch entirely to solar, you could be looking at hundreds of pounds of panels taking up space on your roof. 

Before you start consulting with solar installers — who may or may not be roofing experts — have your building inspected to see if you utilize rooftop solar. 

You may also wish to look into using solar ballast, also known as solar concrete, if you’re worried about drilling holes in the roof. These concrete ballasts provide you with somewhere to attach the solar panels without needing to make any modifications to the building they serve.

Learn About Usable Solar Hours

Not all locations can benefit from solar power, simply because they don’t have enough hours during the year to offset the cost of installation. Thankfully, there are plenty of tools available to help you determine if your building gets enough sunlight to merit the installation of a solar system. 

Google’s Project Sunroof works by using Google Earth images to determine how much sunlight you get during the year. It can say approximately how many square feet of panels will fit on your rooftop and whether or not solar is a good idea for your particular location. All you have to do is input the building’s address, and the site does the rest. 

Choosing the Right Kind of Solar

What are you trying to do with your solar power? Do you want to get off the grid, or are you interested in taking advantage of solar energy to heat your building? You’ve got two options when it comes to choosing solar energy — photovoltaic, which generates electricity, or thermal, which just collects heat. Those big panels you see on the tops of buildings and at solar farms are examples of photovoltaic solar. 

Take the time to figure out what you’re trying to do with your panels to help you decide what kind of solar is the right one for your business. 

Leasing or Buying Your Panels

In most states, once you decide on solar, you have two choices — buying or leasing the equipment. Which should you choose as a business owner?

Leases can help you offset the costs of installing the panels. You also aren’t responsible for any maintenance or repairs on leased equipment. If you can’t afford the initial costs of installation but still want to go green, leasing is a great option. 

If you can afford the investment, buying your panels outright is the better of the two options. While more expensive, it enables you to write off the costs as a tax-deductible expense and a depreciable asset. 

Moving Forward

Installing solar panels on your business is one of the best steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and monthly energy costs. Keep these tips in mind when you’re shopping for installers. 

The post Quick Tips for Businesses Installing Solar Panels appeared first on Eco-Office Gals.

When employees are satisfied, so are employers. Businesses revel in the advantages of a reinvigorated workforce and enjoyable workspaces. When your office is clean and appealing, you’re likely to stay there longer, feel happier and produce more work. Green building materials are a win for all. Employees enjoy better working environments, employers earn higher profits and the planet thrives from less strain.

Eco-friendly building is here to stay, and it may be next for your workplace. Here are six of the best materials to use for offices.

1. Bamboo

Bamboo upholds a reputation of being durable, attractive and quickly renewable. It’s also resistant to plant pathogens and insects, reducing its chances of being destroyed by rot or beetles. You want your company to stay around for a long time, so find the sturdiest materials to match. Bamboo’s lightweight qualities make it easy to transport and handle, and farmers harvest it by hand instead of using energy-intensive machines.

Builders often use bamboo for flooring because of its resemblance to hardwood. You can also find it in the structural framing, walls or doors of many green buildings.

2. Recycled Glass

Glass is one of the few materials you can recycle endlessly without it losing its purity or quality. Some materials degrade after a few cycles and no longer serve their purpose, but you can make the most out of glass. Many construction projects have done precisely that by using it in floor and wall tiles as well as countertops.

Nearly all the glass in product packaging and buildings consists of recycled glass. Manufacturers use cullet — particles from crushed bottles and jars — to make new molten glass, which diminishes energy usage. For every 10% of cullet they use, the energy needed to power their furnaces drops by almost three percent.

3. Recycled Aluminum

Recycled metal works well for reducing energy output because it produces less energy than newly made metal. Aluminum, in particular, uses only five percent of the energy that original aluminum does. This gap in energy usage can majorly cut down on operating costs and streamline the production process. Using aluminum in a construction project can help a building meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, certifying it as a green structure.

Aluminum is resistant to rust, long-lasting and lightweight. Its ability to reflect sunlight can decrease indoor temperatures and reduce the energy costs associated with running your AC.

4. Linoleum

Linoleum consists of linseed oil, limestone and cork dust. All these materials are sustainable and biodegradable, meaning that linoleum emits no harmful VOCs once it’s installed. Builders often use it for flooring, and its flexibility allows for cutting it into intricate designs. Linoleum lends itself well to other components besides flooring, however. Try it on a countertop, table or desk. This material is exceptionally more versatile than interior designers give it credit for, adding a fashionable flair to various structures.

5. Ferrock

Ferrock is an alternative to concrete made from waste steel dust and silica. It proves more solid than Portland concrete — the most common type — and more sustainable because of its CO2-removing qualities. When this material is poured and begins drying, it absorbs more carbon than it emits, making it carbon-negative. Lower levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide can lessen the threat of global warming by regulating worldwide climates.

Ferrock requires little maintenance after it’s installed and is mostly chemically inactive.

6. Cross-Laminated Timber

Creating cross-laminated timber involves gluing or nailing pieces of wood together to create a stronger structure. Because builders often construct it before sending it to a site, it takes less time to build. Workers can indulge in their new green offices sooner, and construction workers undergo less stress from rushing to meet deadlines. This technique also increases sustainability by using reclaimed wood.

Cross-laminated timber works well for roofs, walls, floors and more. It undergoes extensive quality control to produce the best product with the least waste.

Sustainable Materials Transform Every Environment

Your workplace can embody sustainability and beauty by implementing green building materials. A high-quality office produces excellent employees who love coming to work each day. Say goodbye to dreary cubicles and hello to bright, open spaces.

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For many, the decision to use more environmentally friendly business measures provides a twofold benefit. On the one hand, it feels good to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable society. On the other, green measures tend to come with their fair share of financial perks, too. Not convinced? Here’s a look at five ways small businesses grow their wealth and their business by going green.

1. Use Alternative Energy

Electricity plays a fundamental role in running your business. While you can’t cut electricity out of your daily operations entirely, there are more eco-friendly — and cost-effective — alternatives you may prefer to use instead.

Alternative energy sources, such as solar polar, wind, hydropower and plant matter, constitute what we commonly call “green power.” These energy sources are the safest for the Earth and far less dangerous than traditional electrical sources that rely on fossil fuel emissions to create power.

Making the switch to green power doesn’t have to be drastic, either. Try smaller changes, such as swapping out your current battery chargers with solar-powered alternatives. As you enjoy the impact of these incremental changes, you may find yourself motivated to change your energy usage on a larger scale.

2. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Did you know businesses alone contribute to 40% of carbon emissions in the U.S.? Not only is the environment taking a hit from the daily operations of business endeavors, but your business is likely to suffer as a result, too.

Adopting greener efforts is a straightforward way to reduce your carbon footprint and business costs. Small acts, such as turning appliances off at the end of the workday and investing in more energy-efficient technology and heating or cooling systems, can create a positive long-term impact.

3. Enjoy Tax Credits

In many regions, the government is on board when it comes to eco-conscious efforts. That’s why in some areas, businesses enjoy tax credits when going green.

To motivate business leaders to be more mindful about how they navigate their daily operations, environmental tax incentives offer countless deductions and credits — all for investing in the natural world and protecting it.

Research the various environmental tax credits available to businesses to see how you can cut costs today.

4. Donate Old Technology and Upgrade Instead

You may think your frugality is saving Mother Earth by keeping older technology out of landfills. But in reality, holding on to old, energy-sucking appliances ends up doing the environment more harm than good.

So if your employees have already expressed frustration toward your computers from the early 2000s, now may the time to replace them. Re-home old devices by donating them to charity and replace your former technology with newer, more energy-efficient alternatives instead.

5. Attract Eco-Conscious Employees

Becoming a green business is a team effort. When your employees support your eco-conscious efforts, it makes it easier to go green and cut costs.

So how do you attract better employees who will support your small business’ green lifestyle? Since 96% of millennial workers alone are concerned about the environment, the act of shared values is often enough to capture the attention of the prospective workers you seek.

Get involved with your community and expand your green efforts to get the word out about your business. You may capture the interest of your future team members in the process.

Are you ready to make the leap to a green business? This simple decision comes with a wide range of benefits — ranging from cost-saving incentives to an increased level of personal satisfaction from contributing to a better future.

Not sure how to get started? Begin by taking small steps today. Simple shifts toward a better environment can lead to tremendous improvements — both inside and outside your business.

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