Dwellworks Blog

5 Ways to Make your Office More Eco-Friendly

Written by Megan Gallagher | Apr 21, 2023 8:08:57 PM

At Dwellworks, it’s not just our physical office to keep in mind. It’s the business travel and relocation program needs of our clients, the energy and sustainability of the housing options we offer across the globe, and our everyday practices that we keep top of mind. Last year, we aligned with the sustainability goals laid out by the six leading global mobility associations. We’re also on track for our goal of reducing our core greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. Here are 5 sustainability strategies we've highlighted in our 2022-2023 ESG report that you can use in your office, too.

1- Going Digital

Consider using less paper in documentation and everyday communication by switching to tools like DocuSign. According to Statista, the global annual production of paper and cardboard is 420 million metric tons, or two sheets of paper for everyone on Earth every single hour. It is predicted that the demand for paper is expected to double by 2030.

See the below graph on just how much we’ve been able to conserve moving to paperless operations in the last few years.

2- Saving Space

This may be easier said than done, but if there is office space you are not using, consolidate! Move desks closer together, re-think the amount of meeting spaces you use, and re-purpose office space if possible. In the last year, our global headquarters in Cleveland, OH went through a major renovation, moving all our operations from two floors to one. We still have desks to spare thanks to our hybrid work schedule, but they are designated as “hot desks” for employees who only come in the office occasionally.

Check out these before and after photos of the transformation! 

3 It’s Easy Being Green

Self-sufficient office supplies are not only greener, they are more convenient! For example, at our Cleveland office we now use glass dry erase boards instead of dry erase paint for our meeting spaces. We’ve added motion sensory lighting in office spaces and introduced water-efficient bathrooms. The way these amenities take care of themselves allows our staff to focus more on our day-to-day operations.

 

4 Don't Forget the Furniture


Did you know that keeping just 50 office chairs out of landfills can eliminate 3.6 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions? If you plan on getting rid of unused furniture in your office, consider donating it to a non-profit organization instead of a thrift store as long the furniture is in good condition.

 

5 Spread the Word

To create a more eco-friendly world, we have to work together. Be sure that whatever strategies you use in your home base, your partners and other offices are doing the same. Dwellworks Living, our global corporate solutions business, is committed to working with our housing partners to offer sustainable housing options to customers. In our 2022-2023 supplier survey, 84% of responding partners reported taking sustainable actions like recycling, using less water, managing food waste, even more efficient heating, ventilation, and lighting. Check out the below graph on the ways our partners are making it happen.

 

To learn more about Dwellworks award-winning ESG program, download our full ESG report. You’ll also find information on our DEI practices and goals for the next year.