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Environmental protection is just as relevant in the office as it is at home. It makes a whole lot of sense to also minimise your impact on the environment in the everyday decisions you make in the office. We’ve got some tips for you – and you’ll find that they can help you save money too!

The term “sustainability” was originally coined in the field of forestry. It refers to the idea that you should only make use of resources to the extent that they can grown back within a timeframe that enables a constant level. So how can you incorporate the concept of sustainability into your everyday office life? Using practical examples, we’ll show you how you can make your work environment more sustainable, while contributing to environmental protection.

A “green” office

Having plants in the office not only contributes to more relaxing surroundings where people feel good, it can also have a positive influence on the atmosphere in your office – quite literally. Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, thus replacing used air with fresh air. They also increase air moisture, which we know is good. Orchids, gerbera and ivy are especially effective at cleansing the air.

Paper

Environmentally compatible paper is an important issue as well, especially in offices where a lot of printing takes place and where the use of paper is especially high. There are two things that are important here. The first is recycling that respects resources, in this case forests. And the second is manufacturing: environmentally compatible paper is produced using considerably less energy and water – in fact as much as two thirds less – and this makes a real difference. When buying paper, along with quality issues, criteria such as percentage of recovered paper, chlorine content and the use of fresh water, bonding agents and solvents, as well as the questions as to whether colours are removed chemically and bleached, can and should be taken into consideration. Terms such as “environmentally friendly paper” are not legally protected, and they are often misleading. Keep your eyes open for protected seals of approval such as the FSC seal for the sustainable use of forests, or the European environmental seal.

Power

Especially when buying electrical appliances, devices and computer hardware, it is important to watch out for environmental seals (e.g. “Green IT”) as well as energy consumption and efficiency classes. Purchase decisions such as these are for the long term, so you’ll be setting standards you can live with over time.

The EU energy label assigns value classes from A to G: with A representing best marks. In 2003, the scale was extended to include A+ as well as A++, and in 2011, even A+++. Also keep in mind that power consumption is the only decisive criterion used here. For dishwashers, water consumption is highlighted, but does not bear any impact on the score. Just for your own orientation: an A+ appliance only uses three-quarters the power consumed by comparable A appliances, and an A++ appliance only uses half the power.

Ultimately, it is your own behaviour that has the most impact on energy consumption in the office. Switch off the light when you go out for lunch, if you’re in a long meeting or when you call it a day. Of course you should also shut down your computer, along with your monitor, when you leave the office at the end of a long working day.

Using energy-saving lamps and light bulbs also pay off quickly. There is now quite an extensive selection of products available for you to choose from, with different light qualities, colours, switching capabilities and service lives.

Image: “Saving energy” © Thorben Wengert / pixelio.de