The environmental aspect of sustainable development is at the heart of any CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) strategy.
CorporateCSR charters bring together all the eco-friendly actions carried out by the company, both internally and externally, to improve in these areas.
In this article, we won't cover the entire subject (you wouldn't be able to sleep—we don't want to delay your weekend getaway!), but we will offer a few ideas, initiatives, and solutions—not exhaustive—to reduce the environmental impact generated internally, in your company! So, where do we start?
Bringing about change in a small or large organization is not the same thing. Sometimes, there are people dedicated to this task (sustainable development department, CSR department, office manager with Chief Happiness Officer responsibilities, etc.), and sometimes an employee who is sensitive to environmental issues will take it upon themselves to talk about it with those around them and try to make things happen. Here are some key themes and concrete ideas to get you started:
1- Sort waste generated by employees
The first and most common step is to sort your waste: paper, cardboard, glass (yes, we know you have drinks at work), and even, why not, organic waste? The city of Paris is particularly committed to this (if you want to learn more about the subject).
To help you get organized, there are turnkey solutions available, such as Les Joyeux Recycleurs, which offers intuitive and motivational recycling bins! Let's keep in mind, however, that the best waste is the waste we don't produce. 😉
2- Buy your electronics secondhand: cheaper and more eco-friendly!
Electronic products (phones, computers, televisions, etc.) contain several rare materials that cause significant pollution when extracted. In addition, many companies release new products every year, encouraging us to buy them before we've even had time to get the first crack in our phone screen!
Fortunately, in France, the refurbishment industry is booming, allowing you to purchase these electronic devices, rejected by their first owners, second-hand, guaranteed, and in very good condition. And this is happening on BackMarket! Think about it the next time you buy a work phone for your new colleague!
3- Encouraging carbon-free travel
Gasoline, diesel... they're not very good for our lungs. Depending on where your company is located, you can set up carpooling, sponsor the purchase of hybrid or electric vehicles. The Sustainable Mobility Plan may now be mandatory for your company (the ekodev firm deals extensively with this subject).
You can also switch your internal vehicle fleet to all-electric. If your company is based in the Île-de-France region and has fewer than 50 employees, the region will support you.
You can also encourage train travel rather than air travel for business trips within mainland France, promote cycling by offering Vélib subscriptions in Paris, V'Lille, Vélo'v in Lyon, V3 in Bordeaux, LeVelo in Marseille, etc., and for the more adventurous, opt for electric scooters! Go for it 😉
4- Eliminate plastic
All plastic packaging transfers harmful particles to its contents through contact: these are the notorious endocrine disruptors. To limit the absorption of these particles by employees—and by your loved ones—and the amount of waste generated by the single use of these containers, which are often used for takeaway food, you can offer your employees glass containers that can be reused indefinitely. They take them to the store, have them filled, and come back to the office for lunch! Cool, right?
The same goes for water consumption: let's get rid of plastic bottles that will end up in the oceans! We know a great service provider who can equip your offices with water fountains, made in France, with glass bottles and customizable water bottles!
5- Embracing digital ecology
Using the internet and leaving electronic devices plugged in consumes a lot of energy and therefore emits CO2! Simple actions can help limit these emissions, such as reducing the number of emails you send, the number of people you copy in on these emails, and favoring internal communication tools such as Slack!
You can also install search engines that are greener than our friend Google, such as Ecosia, which plants trees, Lilo, which supports charities, or Qwant, which protects your personal data!
It is also recommended that you close tabs that are open and not in use, or use The Great Suspender to help you do so! Regularly clean up your emails—yes, by deleting those you no longer need!— unsubscribe from newsletters you don't read with Cleanfox, and lots of other small actions!
6- Raise awareness among employees
When you implement great initiatives, don't forget to communicate internally and explain your approach. If employees feel involved, they will be less resistant to change and will adopt your measures more easily. Furthermore, to be sensitive, you need to be aware of the underlying issues and therefore do a little educating. To raise awareness, one tool that can be used—in corporate seminars, for example—is La Fresque du Climat, which highlights the links between climate change and human activities.
And since change is individual, you can recommend this blog, Ça commence par moi, which lists several hundred practices that are very quick to implement to reduce your impact.
We hope to give you some ideas, and as a bonus, you can offer VEJA shoes to all your employees. At least they'll be walking with a clear conscience!
