Offices are spaces that consume a lot of energy. With Sustainability becoming a serious goal to meet, what can you do to include eco-friendliness into the very design and make-up of your office?

Let’s turn to a few ideas that can earn you and your brand the good karma of being sustainable and eco-friendly while also saving you tremendously on energy consumption.

Consume less of energy

Consider the number of employees and units of power consumed by your office on a monthly basis.

Have a policy and a process for:

  • Turning off power completely when everyone exits the office premises
  • Managing the temperature at a certain temperature – especially if using centralized air conditioning
  • Dedicating power supply to selected parts of offices if having people working in different shifts
  • Incorporating dimming options for the lights for use during daytime
  • Installing motion-detecting lighting systems which can switch the selected lights on in areas where presence of people is sensed through motion
  • Investing in energy-smart solutions such as LED lights
  • Maximizing ways of using natural light through glass doors and windows

Consume less of water

There are a lot of ways to incorporate cleaning routines so that you use water in proportions that serve the purpose. With the help of a dual plumbing system, you can use appropriately treated water in the washrooms for flushing, for instance. 

You can also install faucets that release less water or release water at less pressure. This way you can avoid wastage of water.

Invest in furniture that is made as per norms of responsible sourcing

There are norms in place designed by bodies that look into the sustainable practices adopted by businesses. Check if your furniture seller and supplier manufacture their furniture as per the norms of these bodies. 

Specifically, the following certifications indicate that you’re buying from an ethical brand that sources its materials responsibly:

  1. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council – The FSC certification is considered the “gold standard” designation for wood harvested from forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable.
  2. ISO 4001 – The ISO 14001 certification is given for the Environmental Management System. It is given only to organizations that adhere to the highest environmental standards.
  3. PEFC – Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification – As an international non-profit, non-governmental organization, PEFC is dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification. 

Brands such as Durian follow all the norms and ensure that the wood for the furniture is responsibly sourced. Durian is certified by all these bodies.

Reduce the waste you generate

Have a mechanism to ensure you don’t use unnecessary or one-time use plastic items in your office. The presence of disposable items such as pens, straws or water bottles can be minimized. 

Print documents on both the sides of the paper. Print as little as possible.

Recycle more so that you generate less waste

Recycle paper. Dedicate some space in the office where all the materials for recycling can be collected. 

When combined, all these processes can help you prevent air pollution, water pollution, and land pollution and minimize your energy/carbon footprints in the world.

Designing an eco-friendly office is not just about saving the planet – a movement you may not feel responsibly involved in. It’s also about using your resources smartly and fixing the leakages in your own system. After all, making optimum use of all your resources needs to be a part of your strategy for profitability too.

For designing your offices with eco-friendly furniture, talk to our project heads at Durian. Find out more about how we can help you design an energy-efficient office.