The word sustainability comes from ‘to sustain’, which essentially means to provide support and prolong or preserve something. What we hope to preserve and support is life on planet earth. Thinking about this definition, we can view sustainability as an approach to life that causes the least possible harm to the natural world or living organisms.
Green Initiatives
West Quay Offices emphasize the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility and implemented green initiatives.
As the world faces the relentless progression of climate change, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to take part in green initiatives in order to make a tangible difference in the environment. Green initiatives are becoming increasingly popular as businesses strive to achieve environmental goals through their business practices.
As the global climate changes, companies are realizing the importance of reducing their environmental impact. Green initiatives are a way for businesses to not only reduce their environmental footprint but also increase their brand visibility and customer loyalty. As your business gets its work space in West Quay Offices, you will be automatically participating in this movement as well.
Among various sectors, offices have emerged as key players in the journey towards a greener future. With countless businesses operating within office spaces worldwide, these workplaces have a significant environmental footprint. By implementing sustainable practices in West Quay Offices, we believe we have the power to generate a substantial positive impact, not only on the planet but also on a broader scale.
GOALS
Businesses know how important it is to do their bit for the environment and there are a huge number of benefits to a sustainable workplace.
- Reducing negative environmental impact
- Minimising unnecessary waste
- Improving member happiness and motivation
- Reduce carbon footprint
- Cutting costs by saving power and water
- Reputation as an eco-conscious business
What are our green initiatives?
West Quay Offices implement green initiatives, such as using eco-friendly products, installing energy-efficient lighting, or creating green spaces. Members can support these efforts by participating in or adhering to these initiatives.
We have converted our office to smart workspace
In today’s era of technological advancements, IoT devices have emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing various industries, including the realm of smart buildings. These interconnected devices, equipped with sensors and advanced analytics capabilities, play a crucial role in transforming traditional buildings into intelligent, efficient, and sustainable spaces. West Quay Offices is one of these rare smart workspaces.
We have installed wireless sensors for automation
We have installed hundreds of IoT sensors in our workspace. IoT solutions help us convert our workspaces into a more sustainable version of themselves. We gather real-time data on various aspects of our workspace’s performance, such as temperature, humidity, air quality, ventilation, energy consumption, and occupancy. This data is analyzed and used to make informed decisions about how to optimize our workspace’s performance, such as adjusting temperature and lighting settings, identifying and addressing maintenance issues, and improving energy efficiency.
Intelligent climate control
Our thermostats are not only smart but we went further and built intelligent climate control systems. Our systems detect preferences, usage patterns and regulate temperatures accordingly. It is proven to have significantly improved member morale and productivity. Our workspaces and each private office measure temperature and humidity and provide the best air conditioning in the presence of members.
We went paperless
This almost seems trivial, given the digital age we now live in. From cloud storage services to digital pay stubs, the need for paper and printers in the workplace has rapidly decreased in the past two decades.
We installed LED bulbs
Everyone talks about switching to LED bulbs, but what actually makes them a better, eco-friendly alternative?
Compared to traditional incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs, LED bulbs use 75% less energy and can last more than three times as long.
This will ultimately help us to reduce our carbon footprint since LED bulbs are non-toxic and recyclable.
We invested in a bottleless water dispenser
Our smart water cooler helped to eliminate the need for plastic bottles and cans in our office. We saved overflowing recycling bins, and hello to eco-friendly, healthy hydration!
We encouraged recycling and clearly labeled trash, recycling, and compost bins
While most people know recycling is a good thing, many folks are still confused as to what can, and can’t, go into the recycling bin.
We helped our members become veritable eco-warriors by clearly labelling which type of waste goes where.
We weekly clean out the office fridge
Although it may seem like an insurmountable task, defrosting and cleaning the fridge will help to increase its lifespan and efficiency.
Here’s why: each time a member opens the fridge door, moisture is let inside. This moisture eventually builds up around the coils inside the fridge, causing frost to form. Since frosty coils lead to restricted airflow, it’s going to take more and more energy to keep the fridge at the same temperature.
Long story short, by regularly defrosting and cleaning the office fridge, we save both money and energy in the long run.
We offered free cloud file transfers to members
We built and offered a free cloud file transfer solution to our members so they don’t need to use paper to send their clients printed invoices, documents, etc. While this act saved a ton of trees, it also saved many dollars for our members.
We offered hybrid meetings by our free online meeting rooms
By allowing teams to join a meeting both virtually and in person, we helped reduce people’s long and unnecessary journeys that release greenhouse gases and other air pollutants into the atmosphere. With our online meeting technology, hybrid meetings can be just as engaging as an in-person meeting, allowing you to collaborate effectively with staff and delegates wherever they are in the world.
We switch to efficient office equipment
The amount of energy and supplies that office equipment uses can vary based on factors like their ages and sustainability ratings. Using efficient office equipment can help minimize its impact on the environment.
We installed motion activated light switches
We improved our energy efficiency immensely by installing motion-activated light switches. Especially all meeting rooms and private offices have these since they are often separated from the central office space and are less frequently used.
Rather than relying on members to switch off the lights as they leave or enter, motion-activated lights are human-proof: they save energy automatically.
We invested in reusable silverware and serving utensils
Reusable silverware is an easy way to cut down on plastic and paper waste.
We offered free bike storage
A bike storage room can have a huge impact on how our members commute to work. We even provided hot shower access after the ride.
It will not only encourage our members to be more active but also get folks to reconsider the environmental impact of driving into work each morning.
We donated or recycled old electronics
We constantly remove unnecessary clutter from our office by recycling or donating old electronics. Most electronics are made from valuable resources and materials — such as plastic, glass, and metals — that require a significant amount of energy to mine, process, and manufacture. We did our part to conserve natural resources and reduce air/water pollution by recycling our old electronic devices.
We invested on smart power strips and switches
These smart power strips and switches were specifically designed to help to waste less power.
Devices that are off but plugged into an outlet still draw power; this phenomenon is called phantom or standby power.
Rather than relying on humans to unplug all their gadgets, a smart power strip or switch does the work for them by shutting off the power to products that are in standby mode.
We are trying to establish a sustainability initiative green team
If we do not have an explicitly eco-friendly mission, it’s likely up to individual members to encourage sustainable purchasing and system implementation in the office.
As the saying goes, there’s strength in numbers! We are trying to round up our eco-minded co-workers and set up a sustainability task force. Together, we can brainstorm creative ways to propose our ideas to the office decision-makers, as well as put systems in place to measure and monitor how the initiatives are impacting our office.
We have chosen repairing over replacing
Buying a new item when an old one breaks is often our initial reaction. Unfortunately, this practice increases pollution and requires the extraction of more raw materials, both of which harm the environment. For this reason, before throwing a broken product away, we try to see if we can repair it.
We encouraged plastic free by our aluminium branded bottles
Going green in our workspace without tackling the plastic issue is not an option. We saw plastic bottle usage among our members and we have provided them with reusable, branded aluminium bottles.By doing that, we reduced their plastic waste and also gifted them fancy bottles. We will produce these bottles from time to time.
Office Composting
Even we do not serve food, our workplace produce a significant amount of food waste? We introduced an office composting scheme, which can be an effective way of reducing your carbon footprint by encouraging members to dispose of food scraps in a composting bin. This waste is then collected, added to local composting piles.
We switched to digital work and also promoted this to our members by new tools
Not only does digitalization decrease paper waste, but it also allows one to perform remote work without any constraints. We provided our members many digital options, like our Startup Planning Suite, Focus Personal Development Software, Billing & Accounting Platform, where they can send invoices and accept online payments, and our online meeting rooms where your team from all around can come together.
Carbon offsetting
Carbon offsetting is the process of neutralising all carbon emissions admitted by a company over a certain period of time. All of the points discussed in this article can help a business neutralize the carbon emissions their workplace releases. In essence, offsetting carbon is the main goal of making a commitment to sustainability, with “net zero carbon emissions” being the target for most eco-friendly organisations.
What advantages derived from enhancing office sustainability for your company participating in
The benefits derived from creating a more sustainable office go far beyond the positive impact on the environment, including financial, environmental, and social benefits. By investing in green initiatives, businesses and individuals can save money, reduce their environmental impact, and benefit the local community. As more people become aware of the importance of green initiatives, it is likely that they will become even more popular in the future. Here are some of them:
Frequently Asked Questions?
We would like to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions.
If you can think of any others, feel free to contact us and ask.
Have a question about Teams? Find the answer among these frequently asked questions.
Sustainability and Green Initiatives
- What is sustainability?
- Why sustainability is important?
The main goal of sustainability is to protect the planet so that future generations don’t have to suffer. Ultimately, we only have finite resources on this planet, but we’re currently not being considerate of that.
Our actions now shouldn’t be at the expense of our fellow creatures or humans, so it’s important to be aware of sustainability in our daily lives so we don’t cause more irreparable damage to Earth.
- What is sustainable technology?
Sustainable technologies tend to use renewable energy, are made from materials that don’t have a negative environmental impact, and are usually energy-efficient. Examples include electric vehicles, LED lights, carbon storage technologies and solar panels.
- How can I run a sustainable business?
Luckily for you, if you have your business in West Quay Offices, you are already running one. We do the work for you but there is always space for growth.
- How can I be more sustainable at work?
There are several things you can try to be more sustainable at work. You could try to go paperless at work, ride your bike on your commute, or try to cut down on single-use plastics. Read our knowledge base article about how to reduce office waste .
- What is my carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint can belong to an individual or company, and is essentially a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gasses released into the atmosphere as a result of your actions. It’s usually measured in tonnes of CO2e. Reducing your carbon footprint is one tangible way you can try to make a difference and become more sustainable.
- Why office spaces are important for greener future?
Among various sectors, offices have emerged as key players in the journey towards a greener future. With countless businesses operating within office spaces worldwide, these workplaces have a significant environmental footprint.
- How does this benefit to my business?
As the global climate changes, companies are realizing the importance of reducing their environmental impact. Green initiatives are a way for businesses to not only reduce their environmental footprint but also increase their brand visibility and customer loyalty. As your business gets its work space in West Quay Offices, you will be automatically participating in this movement as well.
The benefits derived from creating a more sustainable office go far beyond the positive impact on the environment, including financial, environmental, and social benefits. By investing in green initiatives, businesses and individuals can save money, reduce their environmental impact, and benefit the local community.
Reimagine the Way You Work With Our 5-Star Smart Work Spaces
- All inclusive coworking monthly membership plans or day access,
- Serviced Private Offices - sit and stand desks, business phone systems, and 3 Gigabit fiber, wireless and wired internet,
- Meeting Rooms, Private Booths and Phone Booths,
- Kitchen and dining area with complimentary gourmet coffee, hot and cold beverages, snacks,
- 2000 SF lounge area,
- Print station, scanner and fax services,
- A smart workplace contributing to the productivity, wellbeing, involvement, and experience of members.
- West Quay Offices emphasize the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility and implemented green initiatives.
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