8 Easy Steps to Designing a Sustainable Office

Julie Starr • June 13, 2022



Designing an eco-friendly office is not as difficult as it seems. It just takes a little planning and effort. Sometimes, you don’t have to mess too much with the infrastructure of the building itself, instead, you just need to make some tweaks to the interiors, the power, and the plumbing. There are guaranteed ways that you create that sustainable office, here are eight that you may want to consider.

1. Opt for tinting your windows

Since a lot of office spaces are rented out, or even when purchasing a certain floor, there may be some limitations, you’ll need to first figure out what you can and can’t do. Window tinting can be a great option that is very sustainable. Fewer UV rays get into the space, plus, it helps prevent sun bleaching for the walls, floor, and furniture.

2. Make sure that the furniture you use is made from eco-friendly materials

It is important to ensure that the furniture you buy is made from eco-friendly materials. This will help to reduce the environmental impact of your purchase. The most popular types of eco-friendly furniture are bamboo, wood, and leather. But why not look into Mesh Office Chair , as this is built to last for years!

3. Use LED lighting for your computer screens and desk lamps

LED lighting is great for your computer screen and desk lamps because of its energy efficiency and low heat output. This makes LED lighting perfect for any room in the house or office. Even if you’re renting the office space, this is usually a renter-friendly option that’s possible to try.

4. Select plants that are best suited for your office space

While it’s proven that plants are a great way to purify the air and make spaces beautiful, they can do so much more. While this is an eco-friendly decorative option, just keep in mind that plant waste is a thing. So, you’re going to need to determine what will work best in your office space.

There are many types of plants that can be used in office spaces. However, there are some that are more suitable for certain types of offices. Some plants require little maintenance and won’t get in your way as they grow. Others need more attention and care than others, but they’ll still look great and add a lot to the ambiance of the office space.

5. Use natural cleaning products for your office space

Some office spaces that are rented (or purchased) will offer janitor services, so this may not be something entirely in your control. However, if it is, why not get them to use natural cleaning products? These are healthier, less harsh, and eco-friendly.

6. Start using solar energy for your office space

Solar energy is becoming more and more popular in the world today. This is because it is a renewable source of energy that can be used to power different types of industries. There are many ways to start using solar energy in your office space. You can use solar panels on your roof, choose a power generator that uses solar energy, or even set up a small system to power your office lights.

Start using solar energy for your office space by doing the following:

-Check if you have any roof space available for a solar panel installation

-Check out the different types of panels available and see which one would work best for your needs

-Choose an appropriate power generator according to the size and number of people in your office

Of course, if you’re renting the office space, this may not be something that you can sadly do.

7. Look into ways you can create an efficient recycling system for the office

This is fairly simple, just create a recycling system for your office space. This can be as simple as having a bin for reusing paper or separating the trash into categories.  If you have unused space you might want to hire Equipment For Land Grading so you can clear an area for recycling on-site. 

8. Consider low-flow toilets and low-flow sinks for the office bathrooms

Low-flow toilets and sinks are a great way to save water and energy. Low-flow toilets are often installed in new office buildings, but they don’t always have enough water for everyone to use them. Low-flow sinks can be used as a substitute for these toilets and can be installed in any bathroom. The best part about low-flow toilets is that they are more affordable than high-efficiency ones, so they are a great option for small businesses and startups.

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.