Greening your office or classroom has proven to be an effective method for reducing costs and increasing productivity, all while creating a safe and healthy facility for all building occupants.
Greening Your Office or Classroom
Greening your workspace or classroom isn't just good for the environment, it's good for your bottom line.
According to CleanLink;
Embracing eco-friendly values can be good for business, as well as for the environment. By demonstrating an eco-friendly commitment, businesses can grow their reputation as they shrink their carbon footprint.
Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the health and financial benefits to 'going green' in the classroom, but many schools and businesses who would like to start are unsure where to begin.
Fortunately, there are several inexpensive methods you can adopt right now that will reduce your resource use and facility waste while improving the productivity, cognitive function, and overall health and safety of everyone.
Green Your Clean
Switching to green, environmentally friendly cleaning products has a long history of eliminating toxic chemicals in the air and water, especially in the enclosed spaces we spend most of our lives in.
Nearly every classroom and business can benefit from the switch to certified safer use cleaning products and EPA certified category IV disinfectants.
Purchasing through a contracted service provider will also eliminate costly and wasteful storage allocation and further reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation, as well as the hassle of managing purchasing.
Let the Sunshine In
While LED lighting is gaining in popularity in offices and classrooms that would require major infrastructure overhauls to provide natural lighting, several recent studies have demonstrated the health and productivity benefits of either arranging your office to maximize occupant sun exposure, or allowing workers and students to pick the place they wish to work or study.
Both methods can greatly reduce the amount of electricity required to light the facility during normal operations, with natural lighting serving up the added benefit of decreasing heating costs--just make sure to turn the lights off when nobody is home.
Clear the Air
Indoor air pollution is one of the primary factors attributed to the onset of sick building syndrome.
Poor indoor air quality is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which off-gas from numerous commonly used office products, including printer toner and cleaning products.
Studies have shown that indoor air pollution can range to a much higher level than just outside; so, if possible, open a few windows or doors to increase the natural air flow and lower humidity.
Doing so will increase worker and student health and performance, and it won't cost you a dime.
Recycle and Reuse
Anything and everything in your office that can be recycled or reused should be.
Eliminating the amount of resource waste creation and disposal tied to daily office and education use is critical to ensure a safe and thriving world for future generations.
What cannot be recycled or reused can most likely be composted and given to local organizations, or used in-house to encourage the growth of plants around the facility, especially those built with biophilic architecture and design methods.
References & Resources
- Three Ways to Green Up Your Office on the Cheap
- How to Create a Green Office
- Green Your Office
- 5 Eco-Friendly Ways To A Greener Workplace
Takeaway
Increasing your school or business' environmentally friendly practices while reducing your carbon footprint sets you apart from your competition, establishes your organization as a leader in the community, increases the positive outlook consumers and prospective employees or parents have of your facility, promotes overall health and wellbeing, and increases productivity and profitability while simultaneously reducing costs and overhead.
Starting today is as simple as organizing a team within your organization to identify areas of waste that can be easily overcome, especially regarding resource use and waste.
You can multiply the impact of your program by reaching out to local leaders in your community for assistance, or by fully engaging your office staff.
Remember, when it comes to cleaning, even with environmentally friendly non-toxic products, safety still comes first, and commercial cleaning products should only be handled and disposed of by trained and experienced professionals.
If you would like to learn more about the benefits of greening your office space or classroom, or are ready to start but need professional assistance with product purchasing and other services--contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
