Did you know over 70 percent of people evaluate the sustainability of business operations when selecting an employer? I recently worked at a small nonprofit in Madison and took it upon myself to make operations just a little more sustainable, mostly inspired by what I observed at Green Life Trading Co! Here is a guide to what I did, so you can bring it to your workplace.
Start composting
No matter how big or small your office is, a local compost service exists for you! Because my office is small we use a residential Green Box subscription. If you’re larger or want to dip your toes before diving in, it might make sense to do a phased approach - starting with just events, or a compost bucket in the break room, for example.
Use a laundry service
Cloth napkins in the kitchen are fun and add personality but no one wants to be stuck bringing them home. Getting a laundry service enables your office to use reusable kitchen rags, napkins, washable event materials, etc. without leaving someone on staff to absorb laundry as a role responsibility. A laundry service is surprisingly affordable and makes these sustainable swaps easy!
Refill kitchen supplies
Did you know Green Life has a B2B service? That means discounts on all the refillable and reusable things you need in your break room. At my office we use dish and hand soap refills, dish pods, stainless steel lime catchers, and more. More info on refilling kitchen and cleaning supplies for your business here!
Be mindful about purchasing
Are there any supplies you’re purchasing that could come from a smaller, more local, more values-driven business? We love Hello Art Hatchery for craft supplies, Alice Good or Cafe Domestique for coffee refills, and many of our amazing local businesses for holiday gifts.
If these changes aren’t directly in your power, a little advocacy goes a long way. These seemingly small changes make tangible the world you want to create, in a small but visible way. If the small things don’t change, how can we ever hope to change the big things?
We would love to hear what works at your workplace - share your tips in the comments!
