Enplug HQ was renovated just in time for the new year. We removed the drop ceiling, exposed the duct work, took out the carpet tiles, and much more. While there is still a little dust in the air, our brains have more room to breathe! In light of Enplug’s office makeover, I’d like to share a few changes that can be made to any office to create a more sustainable space.
Improve your lighting.
Optimize the amount of natural daylight flowing into the space to reduce the need for artificial lighting. When it comes to a fabricated lighting system, replace old incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient CFLs and fluorescents. Also, remember to turn off the lights at the end of the work day, along with unplugging any appliances.
Paint it green.
Okay, not literally green (unless that’s your jam), but adding some color can brighten up and add personality to an office. Most paint expels toxic fumes, so make sure you go with a zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint!
DIY furniture.
Using local and recycled materials like wood pallets, you can create custom couches, tables, and more that will cost much less than purchasing from retail. You just need some time to dedicate to the project and a little bit of elbow grease. From my personal experience, it’s so much fun.
Seal tight, ventilate right.
This one is ingrained in my mind from a college class. A building that is properly insulated and ventilated, will minimize the need for a continually conditioned environment. By sealing air leaks and reducing heat loss through walls and windows with the right materials, you can create a space that requires far less energy to maintain a comfortable workplace.
Take the plunge.
When it comes to updating your plumbing, make sure to replace old facilities with water saving ones. You can save gallons of water each time someone flushes with low flow toilets and faucets. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can install a greywater system that will run recycled water through your plumbing lines to toilets and landscaping where water doesn’t need to be potable.
Populate with plants.
Adding indoor plants can have a huge impact on the air quality inside your office. Not only can they add a pop of color, but they tend to filter any toxins floating around, especially those emitted from carpets, ceiling tiles, and plastics like monitors.
Go paperless.
Keep documents stored on cloud technology like Google Drive or Dropbox. Such software allows you to access them at any time as long as you have an Internet connection and even share those documents electronically so you don’t have to print anything out.
Sustainability HQ is a weekly series with stories, tips and tricks for how to make your business and office space more sustainable. Email me at hello@enplug.com with any thoughts, stories, or ideas!