Office Health Strongly Linked To Being Green

It is up to every individual to play their part in helping save the environment and many now do this in their homes.

However, it is just as important to make your office green and it is just as easy as anywhere else, and green is often healthier for your body.

Most working environments go through an enormous amount of paper, of which a lot is totally unnecessary.

Think twice before you press print, ask yourself do you really need a hard copy of a particular document, ink is poisonous to the environment and it is thought to be one of the causes of asthma in the workplace.

Introduce policies based on a green way of looking at things, for example buy recycled paper and ink cartridges. Shred used paper and find a way that it can be reused. Maybe even print or copy on both sides of paper.

Paper products that are good for the earth are made from hemp, bamboo, cotton or organic, they also lack harmful chemicals found in regular papers that can because of some kinds of cancers. Many printer cartridges can be re-filled which is only much cheaper but also less wasteful.

Change all the office lightning to use light bulbs and fitting that are energy saving. It may involve replacing a few units but it will be more cost effective in the long term.

Traditional office florescent bulbs are responsible for eyesight and migraine headaches. Get to know what different star rating is best in other words get energy savvy. Make sure all employees turn off lights after use and maybe consider installing timers too.

Get all the major heating and ventilation appliances serviced to ensure that they are performing at their peak. This should be done on a regular basis, usually annually.

A lot of wasted energy can disappear by leaky boilers and inefficient air conditioning dirty heating, air conditioning filters and systems can spread disease and viruses as well as killers like legionnaires disease.

Avoid disposable cups and cutlery, if need be provide a sink area so staff can wash up and keep crockery etc clean. Change the company ethos away from disposable to re-use and recycle.

Look for eco-friendly products: toilet paper, paper towels, refillable pens and markers, biodegradable cleaners and soaps, the list is endless, as is the list of ailments contracted from these chemicals.

In terms of energy small things can make a big difference and often it is just about breaking bad habits and introducing new ones. Turn machinery off when not in use, set the keyboard to sleep when inactive.

Encourage your employees to make energy saving suggestions, get everyone involved, making it more of a team effort. If possible invest in computers that save on energy, donate unwanted equipment to local charities.

Even paint and carpet can be chosen that is better for the earth and staff health by using less toxic chemicals. It is all a case of changing the way that you and your employees look at things to save money, the environment and employee health.

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