Far from it, we do a lot of things that we shouldn’t, but we are trying to stop, trying to change, trying to do more to reduce the negative consequences of our business on the environment. These are some of these ideas that the team in Innovation Visual have come up with that we have, or are in the process of implementing.
Single use water bottles are a huge contributor to the amount of plastic being produced and subsequently disposed of in landfill or ending up in the ocean. At Innovation Visual we are helping to tackle this by providing our team with reusable metal water bottles. They’re durable, reusable, dishwasher-safe and they are great to use at the office or when with clients as well as relaxing at home or working out at the gym. They’re also great at showcasing our brand!
Despite our office being rather remote, it is possible to reach using public transport and we do encourage our colleagues and visitors to use alternatives to driving, whenever possible. When we attend external meetings, we will use trains as often as possible: Not only does this keep cars off the roads but also allows us to work during the commute. When driving is unavoidable, we urge our team to plan ahead to ensure that they can drive as efficiently as possible, to increase miles per gallon and to carshare whenever possible.
A major source of carbon output at the office is maintaining a comfortable room temperature. Here's our thoughts on tackling heating and cooling: Putting a timer on the heating programme will help to keep costs down and control unnecessary usage. Closing window curtains or blinds at the end of the day will help reduce heat loss overnight. Before switching on the air conditioning, double check that the radiators are turned off, or simply open a window for a cooling breeze. There will inevitably always be disagreements within an open plan office with regards to how hot or cold the room should be. There are some quick wins here: Have someone who is more often cold? - talk to them about relocating nearer a radiator. The person who is always hot? - a small USB powered desk fan can direct air flow without intruding on others' comfort.
This is obviously not a new initiative and something that Innovation Visual has adopted for many years; from recycling packaging to printer cartridges, but there is always room for improvement and this is something we are always considering. If you are thinking about increasing what you recycle in your office, it’s important to remember that what can be recycled often depends on where you are in the world – this handy guide can show you what can be recycled in the UK.
Better Office BinsOur waste bin system has proved successful since implemented. Here’s what we do:
The best way to cope with plastic is to not use it at all. While this may not be practical for all of us at present, there are significant efforts we can all make to limit the amount of plastic that is produced, such as responsible sourcing, having reusable containers and promoting a plastic free culture.
To find out what we’re doing to prevent plastic waste and for further ideas on how to reduce the amount of plastic you use in your office - check out our Blog - 15 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste in Your Office.
We have one day each week where everyone in the team is invited to have a meat free 24hours. This way, as a team, we can all work together to accumulatively reduce the impacts of meat farming on the environment. We’ve found this is a very simple but effective way to increase engagement, awareness and multiply our positive impact.
We always try to think about what we are buying and from where. We have our milk delivered in reusable glass bottles and have our groceries delivered without plastic bags and during 'green' time slots to help reduce emissions. We are trying to consume less and make plastic-free or limited plastic options where at all possible - every little effort makes a difference.
Whenever we buy something for the office, we try to consider the following:
