Three Steps to an Eco-Friendly Workplace

According to timeforchange.org, a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon dioxide is a so called greenhouse gas causing global warming, reports this Swiss-based organization.

"Global warming is a controversial topic with strong arguments on both sides," says Mark Bassil, vice president co-founder of modular office furniture systems manufacturer MAiSPACE, based in Mt. Olive, NJ. "At MAiSPACE we believe reducing the consumption of energy across the board and reducing the amount of waste entering landfills are noble objectives that should be welcomed by both sides of the controversy."

Today's workplaces provide rich opportunities to help reduce energy consumption and associated CO2 emissions in terms of how they are designed, staffed and operated, Bassil says. "An eco-aware management, for example, is one that establishes policies to control and reduce emissions. Areas of action can include selecting workplace furniture systems suppliers that employ green manufacturing, looking at options to commuting, and adopting sustainable practices in the physical workplace."

Step 1: Start with Systems Furniture

Systems furniture manufacturers can employ eco-friendly processes that address carbon footprint concerns. "MAiSPACE, for example, uses recycled materials wherever possible in its steel structural elements and panels," Bassil says. "We use post-consumer PET made from ground up soda bottles." The company uses Guilford of Maine fabrics for its panels because of its EPA-recognized sustainability program and works with suppliers and shippers to identify opportunities for environmental stewardship and reducing carbon footprints.

Compared with conventional drywall construction, systems furniture contributes in several ways to reducing an organization's carbon footprint. "Systems furniture is designed to adapt," Bassil says. "Stackable panel and movable full-wall systems offered by MAiSPACE are designed and built to easily withstand the stresses of Moves, Adds and Changes (MACs) characteristic of today's business environment."

Office cubicles from 6 x 6 feet in size to full-walled private offices and conference rooms of any size can be constructed, revised or removed virtually overnight to accommodate changing business conditions. Unused panel elements can be stored for future use or sold for use by others. The noise, dirt and confusion associated with drywall construction - along with disposing of construction debris in landfills - does not apply to systems furniture. "When MAiSPACE components have outlived their useful life they are 100% recyclable including the steel frames," Bassil says.

Step 2: Alternatives to Commuting

"During the summer of 2008 when gasoline prices went through the roof, commuters adopted a more positive attitude toward public transportation," Bassil states. "Public transit officials noted substantial increases in ridership while sales of gasoline plummeted."

Eco-aware management can further promote energy savings by encouraging telecommuting from home. "To work most efficiently," Bassil suggests, "a telecommuting policy must be supported by an IT system allowing employees to remain connected to the office, customers and suppliers through the use of Internet resources. Properly managed telecommuting practices can increase productivity while reducing the CO2 impact of the commute itself," he points out. "When getting into the office is essential, employers should encourage car pooling and incentivize the use of public transportation."

Step 3: Rethink Office Design

The work-from-home trend, together with a growing percentage of staff being constantly on the road, is causing organizations to rethink their workplace floor plans. "If a certain percentage of staff is regularly 'out of the office' at any particular time organizations do not have to provide a workspace for everyone," Bassil says. "Instead, eco-aware management adopts a 'hoteling' floor plan assigning a certain percentage of cubicles on an ad hoc basis."

These temporary workspaces are fitted with telephone, data and power ports allowing mobile staff to connect on arrival. "Hoteling is an excellent way to achieve a smaller floor plan," Bassil says. "It reduces HVAC and electrical requirements, reduces the investment in office furniture systems, lowers rent and as an added benefit, reduces the organization's carbon footprint."

Supporting actions include eco-friendly cleaning, maintenance and recycling procedures and purchasing recycled paper. Added steps include programs to handle the collection and proper disposal of electronic waste and batteries, using motion-sensitive light switches and fitting rest rooms with low flow plumbing devices.

Protect the Environment and Save Money

MAiSPACE continues to seek improvements in its purchasing, design, production, shipping and installation activities with the aim of further reducing the carbon footprint associated with systems furniture, Bassil says. "But our environmental stewardship does not impact the cost of our products to our customers, and indeed in some instances contributes to reduced costs," he says. "Along with our approach to designing and manufacturing modular office furniture systems it enables us to offer our products at price points average 40% below some of the best known names in the industry. This means our environmentally friendly solutions are available and ready to move in starting at $12 to $15 per square foot independent upon the number of units ordered."