With Earth Day right around the corner, you might be wondering what steps you can take to make the planet a better place to live. Since you spend so much time in the office, the best area to start is at work. An environmentally friendly office not only helps the planet, it can also boost employee morale and cut overhead costs.

You don’t have to wait for Earth Day on April 22. Take steps now towards a more environmentally friendly workplace with these tips:

 

Bring a Plant

Studies show having a plant at your desk or greenery around the office can reduce stress and create a healthier workplace. Since plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen we need to survive, having a plant or two on your desk can do wonders.

 

Use Less Plastic

It’s so easy to pop by the office fridge and grab a bottle of water before a meeting, but all that plastic use adds up and can really damage the environment. Instead of buying plastic water bottles for the office, commit to installing a water filtration system and encourage employees to bring reusable cups from home. 

 

Rely on More Natural Sunlight 

Instead of flipping on the lights every time you need to brighten up an office, cubicle or conference room, try opening the blinds instead. Relying on natural sunlight can reduce the energy bill at your workplace and sunlight has also been proven to improve moods and productivity. Before opening the blinds, check to see windows are steak-free and clean to let more light in. Consider hiring a commercial cleaning company  if the windows in your office need some attention. 

 

Remember to Recycle

Everyone knows the benefits of recycling, but some workers might not be too keen on doing so if they must walk across the office just to recycle one sheet of paper. This Earth Day, make sure your office has just as many recycling bins as it does normal trash receptacles. Reliable office janitorial services can ensure recycling never piles up by properly disposing it on a regular basis.
 

Unplug Electronics 

It’s not enough to leave computers and laptops on standby when it’s time to call it a day. Office workers should power down and unplug their electronics before heading home. It might be more convenient to keep them plugged in, but phantom power can unnecessarily add to the electricity bill.
 

Use EPA-Approved Disinfectants 

To get the office as clean as possible, be sure to hire a commercial cleaning service  that uses disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Chemicals not approved by the EPA are unregulated and could be harmful to the environment, employees and guests. The best commercial cleaning service will regularly wipe down areas prone to germs such as counter tops, telephones, door handles and light switches – but only doing so with EPA-approved solutions for the health and safety of everyone in the office. 

Hiring a commercial cleaning service like Coverall means you can gain peace of mind knowing that your office will be thoroughly cleaned with health and safety top-of-mind. Get a commercial cleaning quote for Coverall’s office janitorial cleaning services today.