Most of us spend many hours sat in an office. Whether it is at home, or with colleagues in a business building, we interact with lots of equipment throughout our daily lives as we work.

But how many of us have considered what our office equipment does to the environment?

As awareness and concern for the planet around us grows, more people are seeking ways to incorporate sustainability into every facet of life, including our workspaces.

Here at the Green Stationery Company, we are proud to play our part in the green workspace revolution, providing office equipment across the UK that is sustainable and recyclable.

Choosing eco-friendly office supplies for your workplace is a significant step towards reducing your environmental footprint.

In this blog, we will guide you through the process of selecting sustainable office supplies, focusing on quality and productivity without compromising environmental responsibility.

Let’s take a look.

Understanding the Basics of Eco-Friendly Supplies

Eco-friendly products are those that minimise harm to the environment.

This can be through the use of recycled materials, sustainable sourcing, eco-friendly manufacturing processes, and minimal, recyclable packaging.

These products come in many different shapes and sizes, with a firm focus on the concerns mentioned above to ensure every item is good for the planet, and for the people using it.

Where to Start: Assessing Your Current Supplies

Begin by auditing your current office supplies.

This initial step will help identify what you already have and what can be replaced with more sustainable options.

It's essential to use existing supplies to their fullest extent before considering new purchases to minimise waste.

What this means is that it doesn’t always pay off to clear everything out and start again. Products that are already in use may not need replacing, so it would be wrong to throw them away immediately.

When the time comes though, having a plan in place of which sustainable office supplies you can incorporate into your workplace is key to a seamless transition.

Key Considerations When Choosing Eco-Friendly Office Supplies

• Durability: Opt for products designed to last longer, thereby reducing waste and saving money over time. Here at the Green Stationery Company, our products are built to last, meaning you won’t need to replace them shortly after buying which is great for cutting down on transportation costs, materials used, and more.

• Materials: Look for items made from recycled, renewable, or biodegradable materials. You will notice when we look into the products in the next section that bamboo is used a lot. This is a really renewable material that is ideal for creating green office equipment.

• Supply Chain Transparency: Support companies that offer transparency in their manufacturing and sourcing practices. This information should be readily available when purchasing a product, so it is always worth having a read before committing to a purchase just to make sure.

• Certifications: Seek out products with environmental certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) which indicate adherence to specific environmental standards and show the item has been created in a responsible way.

Essential Eco-Friendly Home Office Supplies

Paper Products

Whilst the birth of the internet and e-mail may lead you to believe the use of paper in offices is diminishing, it has in fact risen by 50% since 1980.

Each employee is said to use over 1000 pages a year, with a lot of this ending up as waste. All of these statistics make choosing the right kind of paper all the more important.

Choose paper, notebooks, and planners made from recycled content or sustainable materials like bamboo.

Our recycled paper is made from 100% consumer waste, making it a great choice for a sustainable workplace.

Writing Instruments

Something all of us have in an office are pens and pencils.

Whether writing down notes during a meeting or sketching out plans for a big project, we use writing instruments a lot throughout our working life.

You may think these can’t be good for the environment, but there are some eco-friendly options out there.

Recycled pens are made from reused materials, and you can also buy refillable pens, meaning you don’t have to throw the full pen away once the ink is empty.

Storage Solutions

One of the biggest items in most offices is storage.

Drawers full of notes and other filing systems can take up a lot of space and use a lot of materials whilst doing so.

Using recycled or upcycled materials to create this is important if striving for a green office.

If you’re using things to protect your items, make sure you choose sustainable items here as well, such as bio bubble wrap. Things like recycled folders and recycled notebooks can also be found to further boost your sustainability.

Desk Accessories

If you are reading this at your desk, then take a quick look across it now, taking in all of the items on there which may not be sustainable.

You will probably be surprised at the sheer volume of non-renewable materials being used.

Wooden desk accessories are a great choice for a green office, and our range contains some great items such as a desktop chest of drawers, desk organisers, and smaller items such as staplers and pen pots.

Technology and Electronics

One of the biggest issues when building a green office is electronics.

Often made from single-use plastics, this equipment can also use up large amounts of energy.

What you need is energy-efficient gadgets to bring the usage down, and if you can find items made from sustainable materials, then even better.

We stock electronics such as a bamboo mouse, bamboo keyboard, and even a bamboo calculator.

These aren’t just environmentally friendly, but also look great when on your desk, making them a win-win.

Home Office Extras

Some other things to consider when building a green home office are furniture. If you can buy second hand that is always a great option and can help create a more sustainable place as well as keeping your budget down.

Trying to reduce waste is also important. You should always recycle every material that can be, as well as be conscious about buying products that aren’t built to last or you may not need long term, especially if they are made from non-renewable materials.

If you can, energy-efficient items and processes such as smart lighting can help to keep energy usage down which is another way to protect the environment around you.

Where to Shop for Eco-Friendly Office Supplies

Seek out online retailers and stores that specialise in eco-friendly products.

Supporting small businesses and brands committed to sustainability can amplify your positive impact on the environment.

These establishments, such as The Green Stationery Company, will place a firm focus on the benefits of sustainability, and be well-informed on every aspect of why their product fits the bill for a green office.

The Green Stationery Company

Incorporating sustainability into the selection of home office supplies goes beyond individual choices; it calls for a collective re-evaluation of economic and business models.

By understanding and supporting businesses that prioritise genuine sustainability—like The Green Stationery Company—we can make more informed decisions that contribute to a healthier planet.

As you build your ideal sustainable office, why not spend some time seeking out more information on what effects the changes you are making are having?

And, if you would like to know more, then get in touch with our team today.