Across the beautiful state of Oregon, business owners are looking at tangible and effective ways to “green up” their workplaces. While some managers might be content to contract with a paper recycling company and have bins and boxes in the copy room for paper waste or arrange for an old-fashioned water cooler so employees can use fewer plastic water bottles, others wish to take their eco-friendly practices to the next level.
The following examples can help business owners make their companies as eco-friendly as possible:
Sustainable Flooring
It is becoming increasingly popular for business owners to choose environmentally friendly materials when building or remodeling their offices. For example, when the current flooring starts to wear out, they might consider replacing it with sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled wood.
For example, wood laminate is typically made from leftover bits of wood used in other projects. Another option is carpeting that is made from recycled materials like plastic milk jugs and water bottles. If the carpeting is in “tile” form, business owners can help reduce the amount that goes into the landfill by replacing only the worn out or stained tiles, as opposed to the entire carpet.
Reclaimed Wood Desks
Another great way to incorporate eco-friendly materials into the workplace is by purchasing desks that are made from reclaimed wood. Against the Grain, a company located in Portland, specializes in turning salvaged woods from Oregon into new and beautiful furniture, including commercial projects for local businesses.
Greener Fixtures and Electrical Systems
Instead of merely reminding employees to turn off their lights when they leave the office, company owners can increase their energy savings even more by installing systems that will automatically shut off when no one is around. In addition, companies can consider replacing standard toilets with low-flow models and traditional fluorescent bulbs with LED options.
Examples of Companies That Are Getting It Right
Business owners who want to go green in the office can look to other companies for ideas and inspiration.
For example, the Apple Rubber company in New York is so committed to their employees’ health and well-being, they created an eco-friendly and attractive 12-by-24-foot gazebo that their team members are free to use throughout the day. The gazebo, which is located close to the main building, is virtually maintenance-free, it does not require paint that could leach out into the surrounding land and the roof is made from something called out-of-spec rubber, which makes for a strong and durable roof that is extremely sustainable over time.
The Method company is another business that gets it right when it comes to Earth-friendly practices. As Inhabitat notes, the company, which manufactures green cleaning products, is also eco-friendly in its policies. The Method building is LEED-certified and has both recycling and composting programs set up for employees to use—they even provide the worms for the composting system. The owners are making a concerted effort to be completely carbon-neutral. They use solar and wind energy credits to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible. As a way to encourage their employees to be as eco-friendly as possible, Method rewards people who get to work by biking, busing or walking with financial bonuses.
