What does sustainability mean for the workplace?
Posted on 27th May 2022
Businesses, corporations and employers/employees, like the rest of us, are very aware of sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment. May sees the national awareness days of National clean air month and Water saving week. And June is World environment day and World oceans day to name but a few.
What does sustainability mean for the office?
There are an increasing number of and a variety of furniture ranges and office equipment and supplies that meet the environmentally friendly factor. These recycled and low carbon options of furniture can be incorporated into any office design or layout. And whilst looking at the layout, reviewing the energy levels and utilities aspect is also an option to consider. Could you be using less energy or changing your lighting to conserve energy for example? Good for the environment but also your bills too. Stationery can be made from recycled material as can flooring and the paint for the walls and there are many options for recycling in the workspace.
Mix Interiors has a whole section on their site under the banner of sustainability, covering furniture made of waste material to sustainable design think tanks, deaf friendly and vegan workspaces to recycling disparate 70s buildings and converting urban waste into 3D printed designs for a studio to carpet from made of 40% recycled content.
The upcoming Facilities Show in London this May will also very much be covering innovation in sustainability, efficiency and legislation. Such session topics will include the future for safe and healthy workspaces, workspace that accommodates the hybrid working trend, sustainability in FM and the roadmap to Net Zero.
Sustainable furniture ranges
Lots, if not all, of the furniture manufacturers we work with have environmental and sustainability policies and use accredited suppliers (chain of custody certification and the EU Ecolabel). The fabric manufacturers are using/introducing flooring made with or using recyclable material. The furniture ranges themselves aren’t currently being made commonplace from recyclable or sustainable materials at this stage.
What are Sygnus doing?
Here at Sygnus we sell and promote second hand office furniture as well. As part of an office refurbishment or office space planning, Sygnus provides office clearance services, meaning we continually have a supply of used office furniture. Our ranges of second hand or used furniture will always be of good quality (quality assured) and in a good condition. And we have an environmental policy for the company covering how we operate, improve and educate. Our objectives include reviewing energy consumption, waste reduction including packaging and recycling programmes where possible.
Most manufacturers we work with also have such environmental policies also, which important and good to see.
Tagged as: environmental policy, imperial furniture, ocee design, office furniture, sustainable office
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