8 Steps to Create a Sustainable Flex Office

With the effects of climate change becoming apparent, it’s more important than ever to care for the planet by acting more sustainably. That means following green business practices. If you operate a flexible office space, there are a surprising number of ways you can make it more environmentally conscious.

In fact, coworking spaces are already leading the way when it comes to sustainability. Coworking spaces — and shared spaces in general — are more sustainable than regular offices because they allow people to divide workspace and resources. Also, coworking spaces are found in easy-to-access locations that are often closer to peoples’ homes, reducing commuting times and lessening carbon emissions.

Creating green workspaces doesn’t just help the environment, it also saves you money as a workspace provider. By rolling out initiatives that use less resources like electricity and water, you’ll notice significant cost savings and healthier profit margins.

So, what can you do to make your coworking space more sustainable? Here are 8 simple steps you can take to create environmentally-friendly flexible workspaces.

Step 1. Join the green movement

Nowadays, the “green movement” is everywhere — meaning there are countless opportunities to engage with people, groups, and businesses that are prioritizing eco-conscious living. Connect with like-minded people in the local community by taking part in eco-friendly projects and programs. Offer your help to businesses with the same sustainable goals as you. Use this opportunity to build a community of committed people who will then be more likely to join your coworking space, which shares their same “green” values. You can also hold seminars, talks, and events like documentary screenings to spread the word about sustainability and make it known that this cause matters deeply to your brand.

Step 2. Grow plants in the space

Bring the outdoors indoors by growing plants in your coworking space! Plants are great for filtering harmful toxins and purifying the air in a shared space. Indoor plants typically don’t need many chemicals to grow, so you don’t have to worry about any negative effects or emissions. They also make your space more enjoyable, as aligning your space with nature inherently delivers a more pleasant environment to work in.

Step 3. Encourage clients to use sustainable transport

Many coworking spaces are located in central areas, allowing for shorter commute times. But you can take steps to make your members’ transport to work even greener. You can start by installing bike racks on the premises and adding a low-flow shower for those who cycle to work. You can also consider adding an electric car charging station. Another idea is to offer a small member discount for people who opt to carpool to your space, showing your commitment to eco-friendly means of transport. The goal with this is to present the option subtly to members, showing them multiple ways to lessen their carbon footprint as they make their way to your workspace each day.

Step 4. Use water-saving and energy-saving technology

Ushering in ways to save on energy usage is a big step towards reducing your coworking space’s carbon emissions. One way to do this is to switch to LED lights, which use less electricity than fluorescent bulbs. You should also ask everyone to switch off lights and devices when they’re not in use. Water is also a precious resource, and every drop you save counts. Find ways to reduce water use, like installing low-flow toilets. As a more affordable option, you can add water-saving devices to toilet cisterns and install water flow aerators on the sinks.

Step 5. Use natural energy and lighting

Consider making a major investment in the sustainability of your operations by switching to solar energy. Integrating this type of power source into your workspace will significantly reduce your reliance on traditional energy sources, which will instantly slash your carbon footprint. And besides reducing your emissions, having solar energy can also allow you to take advantage of various subsidies from government programs. Make sure there is plenty of natural light coming into the space as well, further reducing the need for artificial lighting.

Step 6. Go paperless

Saving paper in your coworking space is the clean and green way to go. The good news is that the world is going more and more digital every year, so it’s easier to ditch the papers. Encourage people to use cloud services to store and share their files. Rather than printing invoices, notices, or announcements, utilize a digital communication tool to deliver updates to members. Some people may be drawn to your space simply for the printing services, but you can limit the amount or use recycled paper to make this amenity more sustainable.

Step 7. Encourage recycling and reusing

Ban single-use plastics from the office. Instead, provide alternatives like reusable utensils, glassware, paper straws, and canvas shopping bags. Make sure the building has a proper recycling program in place, so recyclable items don’t end up in landfills. You can even carry out a waste audit, which can help you gain a better understanding of what materials are being trashed and if any of these things can be recycled instead.

Step 8. Use eco-friendly materials

Anytime you need to make renovations to your coworking space, choose sustainable materials that use less energy to produce. Do some research into the more eco-friendly materials available and the contractors in your area that use them. On a smaller scale, you can switch up your office supplies to more sustainable materials — such as reused plastic, plant-based adhesives, recycled pens and notebooks, and green cleaning products. The key is to be constantly thinking about your space’s materials, so you don’t fall into the habit of choosing the cheapest or quickest option without considering the environmental impact.

Encouraging sustainability

Encouraging sustainability in your coworking space is good for business and the planet. Take every opportunity you get to make sustainability a habit — not just for your operations, but also for the people that populate your spaces. Every small effort counts!