Views of the office have ebbed and flowed for decades now. Once it was seen as a place of strict professionalism and cubicle-laden spaces, then it was intended to be an environment with free-flowing kombucha and collaboration rooms.
Now, some analysts are saying that the office is dead altogether. While this is unlikely, one thing that is certain across the board is that offices can have a negative impact on the environment.
Sustainability has long been part of many company’s initiatives, but few have followed through to create an atmosphere that truly does the work to reduce their carbon footprint.
Scientists have indicated that the planet could take a turn for the worse if sustainable action is not taken now, so what can business leaders do to make impactful change?
For starters, understanding just how much furniture your office needs will be essential. While donating leftover desks and chairs seems great, most of the time these products end up in landfills.
On the other hand, products that are considered truly green are only available from high-end manufacturers, making it less accessible. That is why there needs to be a more structured approach to remanufacturing pieces of furniture that do not compromise air quality during the process.
However, the fact that sustainability and “closed loop” manufacturing are becoming more aware to the public is promising. This, along with more environmentally-sound initiatives like carbon taxes, will help push the necessary change that needs to occur within the furnishing industry.
