January marks the start of a new work year, and as Australians head back to the office, site or shop floor, it’s a good opportunity to revisit and refresh some wasteful work practices.
Most people spend a considerable amount of time at work so actions we take there can be meaningful, says Helen Oakey, chief executive at Renew, a not-for-profit that advocates for people to live sustainably.
Change doesn’t have to start at the top, she says. “Often in a small business, it can be somebody who’s very passionate about sustainability that can drive action and get the whole staff body enthusiastic about making changes.”
Purchasing power
Whether it’s choosing recycled toilet paper, or providing locally grown fruit instead of packaged snacks, businesses big and small can “have a powerful voice in supporting sustainable products”, Oakey says.
That extends to the packaging – plastics or packing peanuts – that products arrive in, she says. “Try to give feedback to your suppliers that you’d like to see those products delivered in more sustainable packaging.”
Angie Farrugia, communications and engagement director at B Lab Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, agrees. The not-for-profit helps companies, from small businesses to multinationals, improve their environmental and social performance.
Look at your supply chain, and use your influence as a supplier or buyer to encourage responsible practices and environmental improvements, she says. An example is Market Lane, a Melbourne-based coffee brand, which engages directly with the producers of their coffee and has taken steps to reduce waste and emissions across its business.
Reboot the commute
Transport is one of the fastest ways to cut emissions in the workplace, Oakey says – with actions such as encouraging more sustainable commutes or meeting online instead of interstate or overseas travel.
“Even if [people] only cycle twice a week, that can really help lift staff morale and health, and reduce emissions.”
Workplaces can support walking and cycling by providing secure bike parking, and access to shower and end-of-trip facilities such as lockers. Incentives including subsidised fares might encourage more people to take public transport.
Make it fun, by setting up a workplace bike challenge, Oakey says, or join in with events such as Biketober or Ride2Work Day. Organisations like Love to Ride run programs designed to get staff biking more often.
Some businesses might consider putting in an electric vehicle charger for employees who have to drive, or to recharge fleet vehicles.
“The other thing that’s happened since Covid is we’ve become much more flexible in our work practices. One of the easiest ways to reduce transport emissions is to not travel. And with flexible work practices, a lot of employees are now able to work part-time at home and not take that journey at all,” Oakey says.
Activities such as a ride-to-work challenge might seem small, Farrugia says, “but if you introduce them into the culture of a business, and they happen repeatedly, then over time that can have a really positive impact”.
Get your waste systems in order
Australia generates about 75m tonnes of waste each year, and almost half – 32m tonnes – comes from commercial and industrial businesses, government data shows.
“There’s usually a lot of opportunities to cut waste from packaging and then increase recycling and reuse,” Oakey says. Start with an audit to identify the main types of waste.
Minimising waste is a systems problem, she says, and having the right collection bins in place – for food, paper, plastics, batteries and e-waste – encourages people to do the right thing.
Consider providing a system for organic and food waste, whether that’s a green bin or having someone collect it for a worm farm.
“You can challenge staff by removing their waste bins from under their desks and encouraging them to get up and walk over to the waste recycling station so that they’re making active decisions about where their waste goes,” Oakey says.
Meetings, events and conferences can generate unnecessary waste in the form of disposable cups, plates, forks and individually wrapped items. Instead, consider events companies that offer reusable options, with systems for washing crockery and cutlery.
Don’t forget to turn off the lights
“The cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use,” Oakey says, pointing out that many state governments offer rebates for lighting and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Making sure heating and cooling systems are working well is important to avoid staff taking things into their own hands. “If they’re too hot or cold, they’ll bring in that blow heater to keep their toes warm. And that can really blow your heating bill as a small business.”
Though low in energy consumption, lighting can add up if it’s on all the time.
When purchasing new appliances or replacing broken ones, it’s good to check water and energy-efficiency ratings.
“If you own a building and you have some roof space, you might like to consider installing rooftop solar so that your daytime energy use can come directly from your solar panels and that’s a really great way to cut your energy consumption from the grid and reduce your bills,” Oakey says.
Celebrate the wins
Sustainability can be confusing, complicated and overwhelming, Farrugia says. It’s about progress over perfection.
There’s an opportunity to work collectively with other like-minded organisations, she says, noting examples such as the B Corp Beauty Coalition working to improve practices through sustainable packaging, ethical ingredients and cutting emissions.
“Every champion in the workplace needs the support of management to be successful,” Oakey says. “A partnership between management and maybe a small team of employees who are really passionate can really make the difference in getting changes implemented and getting that buy-in from the whole team.”
She recommends making sustainability fun, where possible. “Measure improvements and celebrate the wins with the whole team so that everybody has a stake in it.”