Modern office designs often now have state of the art environmental and money saving features, such as solar panels, high levels of insulation, and ultra efficient heat and air quality systems. However, most smaller businesses do not have these luxuries. Being based in older, or leased premises, means having to adapt, but there are things that can be done to improve office interiors to improve sustainability, the quality of office space, and the financial bottom line.
To start with, it is first worth considering the fundamentals of environmentally friendly office interiors, which are the efficient use of energy, light and water. There are other considerations, but these three core elements are what have the most impact.
Plants are easy, and good for people
Plants are a practical way to make a difference. They improve air quality, and are shown to create a more positive and productive working environment. NASA conducted a clean air study, and as a result published a list of recommended indoor plants that includes Bamboo Palms, Kimberly Queen Ferns, Spider Plants and Devil’s Ivy. The introduction of plants is relatively simple and inexpensive.
The easy win with lighting
The most common form of energy saving for a smaller businesses is the use of LED lighting, which is inexpensive and convenient. Nearly 100 per cent of the electricity used in LEDs is turned into light, but only two per cent of the electricity used in conventional incandescent bulbs results in light, with the rest resulting in wasted heat. Also, LEDs can last 20 years when in use eight hours a day, whereas traditional bulbs can last as little as 120 days with the same use. LEDs can also be recycled.
Office flooring
There are now lots of choices for eco friendly office flooring, ranging from wool carpeting and carpet tiles, to hardwood, bamboo and sustainable laminates. If wood is being chosen, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard mark as the sign of reliable sourcing.
It is also worth considering the whole life cycle of flooring, even if it is made from natural products. In particular where the ingredients come from. Wool carpeting can be a good idea, but not if most of it originates in New Zealand or Australia. Product information and labels should reveal the relevant information, but if not, ask suppliers. Appropriate questions can help make better choices.
Having an energy saving psychology
Another achievable win is to introduce an energy saving mindset within the company. This involves incorporating employees into energy saving strategy by, for example, getting them to remember to turn off machinery, IT and appliances when not in use. The same applies to lighting and heating rooms, and only filling kettles to the necessary level. In the case of lighting, it is possible to introduce sensors that turn lights off when rooms are not being used.
When appliances wear out, it helps to replace them with energy saving models. This particularly applies if a dishwasher is used. It is simple to identify products that meet low energy use criteria. They used to be marked with an ‘A+’ to ‘A+++’ rating to signify energy efficiency, but now they are labelled A to G, with A being best. When shopping on line, websites should display a green chevron with the appropriate letter rating next to each product listed.
Decorating choices count
Decorating offices is another area in which choosing a sustainable option is relatively easy. Specifying the use of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) free paint makes a difference. VOC paints are petroleum based, and not only does the oil used in it generate CO2 when being extracted and refined, it gives off toxins during paint manufacturing, then again when used for decorating. VOCs can pose a risk to human health, including irritation to the eyes and throat, create headaches, fatigue, and impaired memory, and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to harm from VOCs emissions, that can last for years. For health as well as environmental reasons, it is best to choose VOC free paint.
If wallpaper is required, there are recycled paper options, and fabric wall finishes are available made from sustainable bamboo and cotton that is coloured using natural dyes. Decorators should know the best suppliers of environmentally friendly decorating products. Though there is currently no environmental best practice standard mark that identifies sustainable decorators, some have qualified for the Planet Mark or an applicable ISO standard. However, they are in short supply within the decorating sector, and therefore the best option is discussing and assessing use of sustainable materials when obtaining quotes.
Cycle racks
More employees are embracing the money saving, health improving eco friendly choice of cycling to work. The introduction of secure cycle racks serves as an encouragement that fosters a culture of sustainability and employee wellbeing.
If possible, it is a good idea to introduce shower facilities. For many SMEs this is simply unrealistic, particularly if work space is rented, but in office buildings hosting multiple companies, a united call to landlords for showers can be a catalyst for their introduction.
It is also possible for companies to introduce a tax deductible salary sacrifice scheme for cycle and equipment buying. It costs companies next to nothing, but enables staff to obtain bikes at a salary tax discount. The organisation Cyclescheme, provides all the details needed for this, plus it gives business owners free promotional materials to publicise the adoption of the programme https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk To work out the carbon output from employee commuting, Zero Waste Scotland has a calculator that enables assessment https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/resources/carbon-emissions-calculators
New HVAC systems make a big difference
One of the biggest changes some companies can make is the introduction of a modern Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. It may be out of budget reach, or impractical for many, but for those it applies to, the difference can be transformative. The latest HVAC integrated options provide substantial cost and environmental savings by using state of the art boilers, solar panelling or heat pumps.
The ventilation element of a HVAC system also ensures pollutants are extracted, humidity is kept at an ideal level, and clean air circulates. This is good for people who work more productively, but also reduces the ageing of office contents and leads to a longer life for items such as IT and furnishings, which in turn is good for the environment because replacement or refurbishment creates a carbon footprint.
HVAC systems are not cheap, but they do create efficiency savings that are good for the planet, and the longer term bank balance. The increase in productivity makes a difference too.
Water management
Usually more achievable is the ability to reduce water consumption. Low flow plumbing fixtures reduce water use, and in some cases, this can be as high as 60 per cent. It can take the form of dual flush WCs, waterless urinals and aerated taps. The benefits are numerous: lower water bills, reduced energy use, and on a wider scale, extended water supply and improved drought resilience.
Composting at work
Another initiative that makes a difference to the environment is introducing composting at work. It is relatively easy to introduce a composting station for food waste. Even if there are no keen gardeners within a company, it is often possible to find an allotment holder, or someone that is happy to collect the end product. But make sure there is someone who wants the end product before introducing a composter.
It is possible to pay a lot for an indoor composter, but often a rycle bin designed for food waste will work instead, and will be much cheaper, and there really is no need for something expensive looking in brushed aluminium. The following links provide a cross section of options.
Next steps
It helps to write down a list of practical improvements that can be made to the office interior. Listing the achievable actions, and starting to work through them when other business considerations allow is a realistically achievable way to make headway. Modular progress is often the key, but one way to speed this up can be to engaging employees in the task. Many will want to be involved, and take on responsibility for tasks, which is positive in terms of pushing forward, but also an effective form of staff engagement and motivation.
As with everything to do with the reducing carbon footprint, the important thing is not to attempt the unworkable, but to make steady improvements. Consistency is the key.