There are several advantages to creating a green, environmentally friendly workplace: it reduces overhead costs, boosts employee morale, and it opens the doors to an entirely new client audience.
There’s a growing trend with consumers only purchasing products and services from environmentally friendly companies; therefore, going green in your workplace could attract new customers and ultimately more sales.
You don’t have to far to find big name companies who take a green approach to their business. Coca-Cola’s World of Coke received a gold rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its water efficiency, energy efficiency, and the use of recycled materials.
Here are some of the key energy-efficient features of the World of Coke:
- 20% of the building is made from recycle or easily renewable materials, such as bamboo and recycled rubber.
- 90% of the debris and waste left behind from the World of Coke’s construction was salvaged or recycled.
- Features a reflective roof to reduce heat.
- Improved air quality through low VOC pain and carpeting.
- 30% more energy efficient Georgia state law mandates.
- All faucets feature low-flow technology to reduce unnecessary water output.
Of course, Coca-Cola is just one of the many companies taking a proactive approach towards their energy usage and the impact they have on the environment. There are hundreds of other companies out there following in their footsteps. And with more and more consumers looking to spend their money on products from green companies, this is a trend that will likely continue in the years to come.
Tips To Create a Green Workplace
If you’re looking to create a greener workplace, you should first perform an energy audit. Find out exactly how much water, electricity and gas you are using. Most company owners simply cut a check to the utility companies without analyzing their energy usage. Unless you know how much energy your workplace uses each and every month, you can expect to make any major improvements. It’s not a bad idea to make a note of your workplace’s energy usage each month, as this will give you an idea of whether you are using more or less the following month.
Follow these tips to create a greener workplace:
- Upgrade your lighting to energy-efficient bulbs such as LED, HPS or HID.
- Bring in natural lighting through windows and sun roofs.
- Cover drains to prevent unwanted chemical runoff in storm water systems.
- Install low-flow faucets and high-efficiency (HE) toilets.
- Encourage the use of recycled material.
You can also find more tips in our previous post on creating an eco-friendly workplace.