Creating a green and sustainable working environment is more critical than ever before.

Whilst a 100% self-sufficient office space simply isn't realistic for most, there are heaps of small sustainable swaps which will make a dramatic difference to the overall impact of your business.

Recycling is generally the first thing that springs to mind when many envisage an environmentally friendly lifestyle. However, to implement a recycling culture in the office, you must ensure the logistics are easy.

Remove individual bins from under desks, which are usually packed with a whole host of general waste beyond the point of separation.

Instead, opt for communal bins that are clearly marked. Ensuring plenty are dotted around the office and in the kitchen (including compost bins for those tea bags and coffee granules) will give you the best chance of staff making the extra effort.

Whilst this might not be an option for every business owner, switching to green energy solutions will dramatically reduce your carbon footprint.

Consider solar panels where possible. They are highly cost-effective and relatively straightforward to install. Likely, solar panels will not afford you enough energy to keep powered all day, but they will heavily reduce your reliance on energy companies.

Especially for offices in the city centre, encouraging a carless commute to work can be genuinely transformative.

Opting for public transport or walking will save your staff a significant amount of money, due to the mounting costs of parking and fuel. Not only will their wallets be happier, but the air will be fresher, and they will be getting much-needed exercise endorphins before the working day begins.

The government has an excellent cycle to work scheme that your company can get involved with, which will save your employees up to 25% when purchasing a new bicycle.

Most businesses implement a marketing strategy that combines online and print techniques.

There are many ways in which you can improve the sustainability of your printing techniques. First, and perhaps most simply, ensuring that your work is 100% correct before sending it to print.

Leaflets with a spelling mistake or off-centred menus will require a whole new printing batch.

Additionally, consider the longevity of the product you are designing. Creating multifunctional materials will help your sustainability and impress your customers.

Turning off the computers in the evening sounds extremely straightforward.

However, many offices leave computers, and other electrical equipment turned on every single night.

Not only is this quite the fire hazard, but it means you are unnecessarily burning through electricity and, therefore, cash.

Building close, meaningful relationships with other businesses in the local area is a great way to solidify your brand name.

Not only is this an excellent way to network and build connections, but it's a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. You might find that you no longer need to ship products from across the country and instead discover a solution just down the road.

Consider swapping the soaps and other toiletries used in the bathrooms for an eco-friendly alternative. Many small businesses offer environmentally friendly soaps and lotions made from locally sourced ingredients and packaged using recycled materials.

Additionally, consider ditching the paper towels in the bathroom. Where machine dryers are not available, provide washable hand towels, which can be reused for the months and years to come.

We all know that single-use plastic is the enemy of an environmentally friendly office. Unfortunately, however, it is incredibly difficult to eliminate from our everyday life.

Many offices and workplaces choose to kindly provide bottled water to their staff without fully considering the environmental impact. Instead, gifting your employees with a reusable metal water bottle and installing a water cooler is a great way to reduce the amount of single-use plastic your team consumes.

It also removes the logistical stresses of sourcing bottled water, and generally works out much more cost-effective.

Encouraging your team to lower their meat consumption is an excellent way to promote an eco-friendly office as well as a healthier workforce. However, suggesting vegetarianism or even veganism to a team of meat lovers may be an extreme example.

Meat-free Mondays are an excellent solution.

Eliminating meat from your diet for one day a week has a surprisingly huge impact on the environment. In fact, skipping one serving of beef every Monday for a year will save the carbon equivalent of driving 348 miles!

Lighting might not be at the forefront of your mind when considering office sustainability. However, the correct lighting solution will have a considerable impact on the carbon footprint of your office.

If you have large windows that afford you the luxury of plentiful natural light, the overhead lighting may be entirely redundant. So instead, reserve these for dark winter afternoons, and enjoy the natural light in the summer months.

Inspiring your team to be more environmentally conscious can be a considerable challenge. First, you should accept that monumental changes will not happen overnight.

Senior figures in the team must lead by example, creating a supportive network that encourages other team members rather than frightens them.

Whilst we can't promise to provide you with a recipe for meat-free Mondays or convince your team to separate their recycling, we can give you the best print marketing solutions around.

We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best quality printing. We work with a range of business and marketing agencies to create a spectrum of products, including business cards, menus and roller banner displays.