There’s no doubt that Christmas is an extremely busy time for businesses and workplaces of all kinds. There are projects to be finalised before your office breaks for Christmas, leave to be organised for your workers, not to mention the new working year to think about and plan for. That’s not to mention those Christmas traditions that we like to bring into the office: parties and meals and gift-giving, to name just a few. With all this to consider, it’s not surprising that it’s easy to lose sight of sustainability during this busy Christmas period, and that’s why we have compiled this list of easy ways to make Christmas at your office more sustainable. Keep reading to find out what you can do to create a more environmentally friendly celebration, plus our important bonus tip on what to do if you need environmental services for your business.
Change up the Office Christmas Tree
Do you have an old fake Christmas tree at your workplace that you haul out every year to put in a corner somewhere in the office? This is true of many different businesses, though this year, you might consider putting a new, sustainable spin on the trusty old fake tree.
One way to do this is by sourcing a potted plant that you can adorn with all the Christmas trimmings and decorations that your heart desires. This is a fantastic way to bring Christmas into the office while getting the fabulous environmental benefits of greenery and plants. Plus, if you’re already on board with plant life in the workplace, then you could decorate all the different plants around your office, bringing a festive touch to every corner!
Make sure you check out our guide to workplace greenery to find out the best plants for your office and read this article from the ABC to discover the different types of plants that make great Christmas trees.
Say No to Disposable Cutlery and Plates
Maybe you’re having a Christmas party in your office, or perhaps you’re organising a wrap-up lunch or drinks for the last workday before Christmas. Whatever the case, these functions can create a huge amount of waste, something which you can help to combat simply by saying no to disposable serving wear.
That’s right, single-use disposable cutlery, plates, bowls, and cups are terrible for the environment, and it’s easy to make the swap to a more sustainable option. Use the crockery, cutlery, cups, and glasses that you already have in your office kitchen, or consider serving food on plates made of bamboo pulp.
This is a simple swap that has a hugely positive impact on the environment. Remember, when it comes to sustainability and reducing our impact on the environment, every little bit counts!
Promote a Sustainable Gift Swap
Do you have a Kris Kringle, or a gift exchange each Christmas in your office? This year, you could consider organising a sustainable gift swap – one that encourages everyone in the office to bring in a gift that is either handmade, recycled, upcycled, eco-friendly or purchased from a local small business.
This type of gift exchange helps to curb some of the waste that comes with purchasing new things every time you need to give a gift. Handmade and upcycled gifts also reduce the need to continually purchase new items. Similarly, shopping locally can help to reduce the carbon footprint of your shopping, plus it supports small businesses, which is great for the local economy, and for the environment!
Want to step it up a notch? Challenge everyone in the office to ditch the traditional wrapping paper and find an eco-friendly alternative. Think: fabric, newspaper, posters, boxes, or bags that could be lying around the house. The traditional style of wrapping paper ends up ripped off and scrunched up, consigned to the rubbish bin, and you might be surprised to know that most of the wrapping paper you would normally buy cannot be recycled.
Do You Need Environmental Consulting?
Here at Alpha Environmental, we are experts in providing environmental services and solutions for offices and businesses. We know that at this busy, chaotic time of year, it’s also important to keep in mind any environmental or occupational hygiene services that may be necessary.
At Alpha Environmental, we provide a range of services including site assessment, asbestos sampling, and testing, and soil contamination assessment. With 23 years of industry experience, we are proud to offer an exceptional customer experience alongside expert solutions that exceed the industry standard.
If you need environmental consulting, or if you would like to find out more about what our services could do for your office or business, then please contact us at 1300 039 181, or fill out our online contact form and we will be happy to get back to you.
