Create an Eco-Friendly Office

Sustainability, going green, being eco-friendly. We’ve all heard these terms, and many of us are trying to do our part as individuals. But what about in the office? There are accessible ways to lessen our carbon footprint in the office — as well as more robust solutions and goals.

Where To Start

Smaller and mid-sized companies that may be concerned about the cost of redesigning an office to be entirely eco-friendly can still contribute in three simple ways.

1. Recycle. It’s often the first thing people think of when they go green. You can recycle paper, paperclips, cardboard and plastic. By adding a recycling bin to your office, you’re encouraging colleagues to follow your lead.
2. Pull the plug. Devices plugged into walls are always using power. The best way to lower your company’s electric bill is to unplug things when they aren’t in use. If you’re concerned about unplugging your computer at night, change your computers settings to utilize the power saving mode.
3. Carpool. Cycling and taking the bus are more eco-friendly than driving a car, but sometimes that isn’t possible. Find out if any of your colleagues live near you and start carpooling.

Make a Bigger Impact

Larger companies that are increasingly focusing on corporate social responsibility may choose sustainability as a purposeful direction. If you’re ready to go a deeper shade of green, turn to green furniture. With Greenguard’s products, for example, you can maintain safe indoor air quality and offgassing of chemicals and other pollutants into the environment.

Greenguard Your Office

• The Greenguard Environmental Institute is an independent organization that’s established strict limits of air quality standards for indoor products.
• The Greenguard standard has become the criteria which many governments, corporations, health care facilities, and non-profit organizations require in their workplaces.
• Greenguard-certified products are scientifically proven to meet some of the world’s most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards. They help to reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure.

Why is this important?

• Every day, we’re exposed to airborne chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• The majority of the exposure occurs through the air we breathe in indoor environments.
• That’s because VOCs are used to manufacture and maintain building materials, interior furnishing, cleaning products, and personal care products.
• Many VOCs are irritants. They can cause headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation, and dizziness.
• Long-term exposure to certain VOCs may lead to chronic diseases or cancer.

Performance Furnishings, Source’s signature brand, is one of only a few Canadian companies to provide laminate workstations and related products certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute as meeting their emissions standards. Greenguard-certified office pieces can also contribute to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) points.

Aspire to LEED

A big picture goal for making your office green is to aim for LEED. It is the world’s most widely-used green building rating system.

• Office space design has long taken into account LEED certification as the standard of green initiatives.
• LEED certification focuses on how a building was designed and built using strategies that result in high performance in key areas of human and environmental health.
• These strategies include location and transportation, sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Source Loves Green

Not only are Source store locations committed to reducing their carbon footprint by printing less paper, recycling, and being mindful to turn off the lights when they’re not needed, we’re committed to helping you do the same.

Source’s experts are happy to help you find eco-conscious, sustainable and Greenguard-certified products that will make green your new favourite colour.