7 Economical Ways to Make Your Office Environmentally Friendly
By Dan Bramske, Bramske Studio Architecture, a certified BCFG
Like myself, many small business owners balance a tight budget while striving to meet the goals of benefit corporations. While my primary work is as an architect, when I purchased my office building last year, I had the unique challenge to create a workspace for myself and others that embodied triple bottom line values.
With a focus on green practices, I have compiled some of my own strategies to help building owners, virtual office professionals, and renters. While the programs I mention below are Oregon-based, other states around the country offer similar options.
1. CLEAN ENERGY: Some utilities offer access to renewable energy for a small additional monthly fee. PGE offers several different programs allowing users to invest in renewable energy options. Additionally, installing PV arrays to generate and store electricity on site are becoming more affordable every year.
2. LIGHTING UPGRADES: Look into replacing old incandescent or fluorescent light fixtures with new LED lighting. The Energy Trust of Oregon offers rebates through certified suppliers, making these upgrades very affordable. Advancements in LED technology have created more options in light distribution, levels, and quality, thus making safer and more comfortable work environments.
3. SMART THERMOSTATS: A smart thermostat allows you to save energy when folks aren't in the building. For example, in my building the thermostat adjusts temperature settings when there are no occupants. In the heating season, the system defaults to 50 degrees and in the cooling season, the system defaults to 80 degrees. Many of these smart thermostats also offer a “learning” function that learns your habits and maximizes your investment. The Energy Trust of Oregon offers rebates on several different smart thermostats.
4. CLEAN UP YOUR CLEANING PRODUCTS: Consider switching out any toxic-chemical-containing cleaners with other products that don’t contain these chemicals. There are plenty of eco-friendly cleaning products on the market, even at conventional stores. This will also help folks who might be sensitive to more extreme smells and chemicals.
5. INDOOR AIR QUALITY: Indoor air quality (IAQ) continues to be a major factor in the health of building occupants, especially in a post-COVID world. Remember to regularly change air filters and also consider investing in an air purifier. The Energy Trust of Oregon offers rebates on several models.
6. RESUABLES: For those who have kitchens/kitchenettes, you can offer reusable plates, cups, silverware, and towels instead of disposable options to help limit waste. Did you know that there are reusable Keurig cups available?
7. REDUCE WATER USE: Some buildings have old, leaky toilets that are water hogs. For a few hundred dollars, you can get a new 1.28 gpf toilet that might be more comfortable and won’t leak. In addition, low-flow sink and shower heads are also readily available. The City of Portland offers a $50 rebate for folks who switch out an old toilet with a new WaterSense-certified model.
Every building and every business is unique. In addition to the ideas mentioned above, there are likely other ways for you to reduce your business’s impact on the planet. As always, continue to reduce where you can, reuse when possible, and recycle when you can’t meet the first two.
Learn more about Bramske Studio Architecture, a certified Benefit Corporation for Good.
Access BCFG’s white paper on creating a more sustainable small business.
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