Recently, we shared some big news: c|change is now a certified B Corporation! That means we met the non-profit B Lab’s high standards of social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose—and we’re officially part of a global movement of for-profit organizations using business as a force for good.
As we worked the past two years to earn certification, we focused on becoming a more sustainable and environmentally friendly workplace. We made some great strides there (like composting all food scraps!) but then came a pandemic. Since then, we’ve all been working from home.
That’s led to an interesting challenge: how can we keep our sustainability efforts going? Commuting less has had a big impact on carbon emissions, but as a company we want to strive for more—and to build good, green habits that can be sustained when we’re back at the office.
Here are a few tips and suggestions from the c|change team on four key areas where you can practice the sustainability efforts of certified B Corps in your home office.
Save energy and save on your energy bills at the same time.
Those of us working remotely have likely seen our heat and electric usage (and) bills go up the past few months as we’ve been home much more.
Taking advantage of natural light as much as possible while you work is a great start. Work by a window if you can, and follow the sun around your house or apartment.
Also, using a lamp with low-wattage LED bulbs, instead of overhead lighting, can help reduce energy usage (LED bulbs are great to use wherever you can).
Use energy-saving features on electronics and turn off devices when they aren’t being used.
And especially during the winter, closing doors and heat vents in unoccupied rooms can help lower heating costs.
Buy fair trade coffee and tea.
The office coffee machine is getting a lot less usage these days—which means your Mr. Coffee at home might be working overtime. You can support sustainable, equitable practices—as well as fellow B Corps—by buying fair trade coffee and tea.
According to Grounds for Change, a B Corp that roasts small-batch coffee, “farmers who grow fair trade coffee receive a fair price, and their communities and the environment benefit as well.”
Research which brands are fair trade certified; many will have a symbol on the bag. Some fair trade roasters you might be familiar with are Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Chicago’s own Metropolis Coffee, Stash Tea, and Bigelow Tea.
Create less waste.
When we started waste reduction initiatives at the office, it was amazing how much less we threw into the trash. A big reason for that was composting our food scraps. The service we use, WasteNot, also offers at-home service, as do many other local composters. Find one near you—they make composting really easy!
Additionally, always be sure to recycle according to the regulations that apply to wherever you live. And make an effort to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle whenever possible.
Buy B Corp-certified and sustainable cleaning products for your home.
There’s no downside to using plant-based, eco-friendly products at home. They’re better for you, your pets, and whatever you’re cleaning!
Today, there’s more selection than ever for consumers who want to use sustainable cleaning products at home. Some of these companies are also B Corps, making this a great way to support the B Corp movement in the process. Look for Grove Collaborative, the Unscented Company, and Meliora cleaning products the next time you’re out shopping. c|change has made a commitment to the environment and the B Corp movement—and so have our employees. We can all do our part, even while at home. If you want to learn more about how your business can join the B Corp movement, get in touch.
Related posts
Staying Connected in Remote Work: How a Company Playlist Became Our Secret Weapon
