Sustainability in the workplace: why is it important?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a priority for organizations all over the world — and not in a begrudging, “we do it because we have to” way. Sustainability in the workplace is no longer about complying with regulations and avoiding fines, it’s deeply ingrained in countless company cultures and something employees look out for, too.

Around two-thirds of UK businesses invest in CSR programs, and Fortune 500 companies spend $20 billion on it collectively. That should come as no surprise when 70% of consumers want to know how the businesses they support are addressing social and environmental issues.

Because what’s important to your customers and clients, has to be important to you as well.

Why aim for sustainability in the workplace?

Going ‘green’ can pay off big time in a corporate environment. Here are the top three reasons to care about workplace sustainability:

It’s good for your bottom line

A number of major brands have discovered the financial benefits of embracing more sustainable practices:

• United Airlines Holdings Inc. invested in making lighter planes and saved more than $2 billion on fuel.
• Walmart used cutting-edge tech to cut carbon emissions and boost fuel efficiency by 90%.
• Tech giants save 10% on utility bills by switching to renewable energy.

You could save money by adopting a more sustainable approach to your working practices. That way you’ll not only be helping the planet but funding your future ventures simultaneously.

It helps your company’s reputation

Consumers want to support brands that care about social and environmental issues, but what about the businesses behind the brands or in business-to-business models?

Companies in B2B markets can benefit from investing in sustainability too. One study found that “strategic management of both corporate sustainability and reputation management” can “create value, protect against difficulties and liabilities, and maximize business survival”.

The findings also show that sustainability can increase stakeholders’ acceptance and perceptions of a company’s activities. And that’s nothing but good news for small, medium, and enterprise organizations!

It’s positive for employee engagement and satisfaction

Improving sustainability in the workplace can have a powerful effect on current, and future, talent:

• Over 50% of employees won’t work for a business that lacks strong commitments to social or environmental causes.
• 75% say they feel more fulfilled by their job when they have opportunities to make a positive impact on social and environmental matters.
• 1 in 4 employees would search for a new job if their employer had a poor history with environmental issues.
• And a Reuters survey revealed that 65% of employees would be more likely to work for a business with “strong environmental policies”.

Increased sustainability could make your company more attractive to highly skilled candidates, more satisfying to existing staff, and boost your retention levels overall.

How to make your workplace more sustainable

We know that sustainability in the workplace matters. Now let’s explore how you can start to make positive changes.

Identify your sustainability challenges

There’s no one-size-fits-all sustainability model for companies; each business has its own hurdles to jump.

How do you know what they are in your office? Start by asking questions about your daily processes. For example:

• What technologies do you rely on to deliver products/services to customers/users?
• How much electricity do you use on an average day?
• How much waste generated in your workplace goes to landfill and how much is recycled?

The answers could help you identify the biggest sustainability “crimes” your workplace is guilty of, so you can focus on the areas in which eco transformation matters the most.

Set achievable and measurable sustainability targets

The next step is to put objectives in place. It’s no good declaring that your business will become more sustainable within the next five years without articulating how you’ll actually do it.

Create a list of metrics you can use to assess how effective your changes are over time — and be specific. You can start exploring solutions once you know what you want to achieve.

For example, you could aim to reduce your energy consumption (and costs) by 5% within 6 months. This might involve:

• Investing in motion-activated lights.
• Installing more windows to increase natural lighting.
• Make a rule that all equipment should be switched off when not in use.
• Monitor your temperature control system closely to avoid unnecessary usage.

Take advantage of digital tools

You can make a significant difference to your sustainability efforts by cutting down on paper usage. And the proliferation of online tools and communication platforms means you have little to no need to rely on paper in the workplace.

Switch to online documents, instant messaging apps, collaboration tools to bring workers together, cloud-based file storage, and other popular digital solutions. They’re more cost-effective, convenient, and accessible from almost any internet-enabled device. What’s not to love?

Work with sustainable vendors and suppliers

Take the time to research vendors and suppliers before you sign new contracts. They may use outdated methods to deliver products or services that contradict your efforts.

That could demoralize employees, frustrate customers, and harm your reputation.

Discuss environmental policies and certifications when exploring your options. Any official accreditation to their name demonstrates a genuine commitment to caring for the environment.

Incentive sustainability from the top down

One (potentially controversial) option for environmentally aware businesses is to link executive pay to sustainability efforts.

The aim is to encourage leaders to take a greater interest in driving sustainability in their workplaces through a clear, tangible incentive. What’s more, businesses that promote the need for sustainability from the top down may also inspire employees at all levels of the business.

Say no to disposable products

Ban disposable products such as single-use plastic spoons, plastic cups, and plastic straws. People may use these without thinking about the consequences — such as the 29 million metric tons of plastic trash set to populate our oceans by 2040.

Provide employees with more eco-friendly alternatives, such as metal cutlery, paper or metal straws, and invest in hand dryers to cut down on use of non-recyclable paper towels. Small changes like these amount to big improvements over time.

Workplace sustainability is important — what will you do to get it right?

Follow these steps to create a more sustainable workplace — reducing your impact on the planet, cutting operational costs, and demonstrating your commitment to making positive change.

Smartway2 can help you make the most of your office space and become more energy-efficient with demonstrable green values. Request a demo to find out how Smartway2 works and how it can aid your sustainability goals.

If you’re figuring out the best way to return to the office or implement hybrid, flexible working, check out our recent webinars.

To optimize your workplace experience, make rooms, desks and other resources bookable in advance. That way you can leverage utilization data to create your ideal employee experience. To see how it works book a demo.