The imminent threat of climate change is something we cannot face alone. To solve climate change we must band together and collaborate both as citizens and leaders in our workplaces. Re-examining our organisations can make a world of difference in the global effort to tackle the climate crisis.
Indeed, an organisation that runs well is one that can blend business, human resources, and leadership with psychology to act as meaningful agents of change. Having a collaborative mindset can influence organisational behaviour. This is why Maryville University in their outline of organisational leadership says that collaboration is the key to success, no matter the organisation. So it is extremely important that as a leader, you get everyone on board with sustainable practices.
These practices can range from reducing and managing waste to minimising your company’s carbon footprint. And while these may seem difficult to implement, this couldn’t be further from the truth, as small, conscious changes can go a long way when it comes to sustainability. If you want to know more about what changes your business can make, read on for a list of ways you can practice sustainability in the workplace.
Go Paper Free
Paper makes up a significant chunk of the world’s total waste. Think about it — how much paper does one business go through in a single day? To put this into context, Yahoo highlights that reducing paper waste by 1% could save $1 billion. One way you can go about doing this is by maximizing the use of digital documents and note-taking apps. These aren’t only more environmentally friendly, but they also help you work more efficiently, as these apps are integrated with most office functions.
Work From Home
Technology has come a long way and has changed the way we do things daily. It has even changed the way we work, as working remotely is now easier than ever. Now, considering a significant chunk of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation, it would make sense that allotting more work from home days will have a positive impact on the environment. The Ecologist emphasises that telecommuting (remote working) is a good way to reduce our carbon footprint and is a step in the right direction when talking about sustainability.
Recycle and Compost
Food isn’t only the second largest contributor of global waste — it is also a huge emitter of methane, which speeds up the warming of the atmosphere. Now, one way you can remedy this as a business is by setting up composting and recycling bins. The Guardian details that composting food waste from the office can go a long way in managing the effects that it has on the environment. Corporations such as Procter & Gamble have gone all-in on this as they are known to compost food from the company’s cafeteria, which serves over 6,000 employees.
These tips are simple and will take up minimal resources to implement. This makes it clear that the goal of a sustainable business is one that isn’t only possible, but incredibly doable. While it may take some time to adjust to these changes, that is nothing compared to the positive impact it will have on the environment.
If you found this article useful, check out our piece on The Circular Economy in the Workplace.
