The Office Carbon Footprint And What Makes It So Dangerous For The Environment

Julie Starr • November 10, 2020



Building a business sustainably all comes from your internal hub. Because if your office doesn’t follow the rules of running a green business, none of your operations will either! Getting to work within an eco-friendly building is all well and good, but if you still pack it out with energy-guzzling equipment and employees who have no eco-conscious company policy to follow, your carbon footprint will be just as high as before. 

So it’s time to work on your office carbon footprint. Both you and your employees can work in tandem here, as long as you know what makes what goes on in your office so dangerous for the environment around you. 

The Amount of Waste

It’s estimated that businesses pour over 40 million tons of commercial and industrial waste into the environment per year, and even with the majority being recyclable, and a good proportion being compostable, this is still a number that needs cutting down. In an office environment, the amount of paper, plastic and tech waste alone could be ratcheting your costs margin up by tenfold. 

Thankfully, there are some easy fixes here. Having reusable cups and other utensils in the break room is a great way to reduce and save here. Similarly, making use of tap water, rather than bottled water, is another great way to reduce your office’s impact on the environment. Try to invest in compostable, or recycled, papers and napkins too. 

Office Equipment Energy Consumption 

The amount of energy that gets used up by the equipment in your office is far more than you realize. The more photocopiers and printers and computers you have in the office, and indeed, in any physical location you run (such as a store), the heavier your carbon footprint is going to look at the end of the year. 

It can be hard to cut down on the things you use in the office, but the best thing to do is to ensure your equipment is energy certified . Investing in energy-efficient equipment not only cuts down on your bill each month, but it ensures you’re not contributing to climate change within the corporate world. Plus, you could integrate more virtual systems into your company too, such as using a virtual POS terminal , to ensure you’re not having to spend any more on physical items, as well as keep as many emissions as possible out of the air. 

The Commute Time

And then we come to the commute time. Of course, taking the bus or train to work is much better for the environment than getting in a car, but with business meetings requiring a plane trip for travel, the environmental cost adds up . It’s why virtual meetings are becoming more and more popular, as well as the idea of remote working, which is much easier to implement than most people realize. 

Your office has a carbon footprint, and it’s time to do something about it. Cut down on the danger to the environment.

Blockchain for Sustainability: Cutting Through the Hype with Strategic Communication

By Julie Starr • April 28, 2025
As blockchain continues to gain traction in sustainability circles—from tracking carbon credits to improving supply chain transparency—more organizations are exploring how these emerging tools might support their ESG goals. But with innovation comes complexity, and for many stakeholders, blockchain still feels like a black box. That’s where communication becomes essential. At Taiga Company, we work with clients to simplify complex sustainability narratives without oversimplifying the value. While blockchain can offer traceability and transparency, it’s not a silver bullet—and how you talk about these technologies matters just as much as how you use them. Poor communication can undermine credibility, especially in a landscape where stakeholders and regulators are increasingly alert to greenwashing . On the other hand, clear, honest messaging about blockchain-enabled sustainability efforts can build trust and differentiate your leadership. Our approach is grounded in materiality and alignment. We help organizations: Translate technical tools like blockchain into plain language that resonates with diverse audiences Connect new technologies to core sustainability strategy Craft credible narratives that evolve alongside innovation Blockchain may be new territory, but strategic communication remains the foundation. Whether you're piloting traceability tools or just starting to explore how blockchain fits your ESG roadmap, we help you tell the story with clarity and confidence. Let’s make innovation meaningful.

6 Things All Modern Businesses Need in 2025

By Julie Starr • April 22, 2025
If you’re starting your own business, then you know all too well that it’s equally an exciting and overwhelming time. There’s so much to think about, and you want to get it right from day one. But it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think. Let’s go through everything your new business needs to hit the ground running this year. A Clear Business Plan Before anything else, take the time to figure out your game plan. This doesn’t need to be a long, boring document that you’ll never look at again. Think of it as a simple guide that answers three key questions: Who are you selling to? What are you offering? And how are you going to get noticed? Once you’ve written that down, you can always tweak it as your business grows. From a communications standpoint, clarity on your audience and value proposition also sets the foundation for authentic brand storytelling—something Taiga Company helps clients refine at every stage. Responsible Financial Management Money is one of those things that can make or break a business. The good news is you don’t need a finance degree to get it right. Start with a simple budget. Know how much is coming in, what’s going out, and what you’re setting aside. Think about things like stock, marketing, bills and wages if you’re hiring. Keep it realistic and keep it updated. Doing this from day one will make life much easier later. Reliable Cloud Services In 2025, storing everything on your laptop isn’t really a safe bet. Files go missing, computers break, and you don’t want to lose important stuff. That’s where cloud services come in. They keep your files secure, backed up and easy to access from anywhere. Whether it’s documents, customer info or creative work, having it all saved online gives you peace of mind. And when you're building a business in a digital-first world, having secure, accessible assets also means your team can collaborate more efficiently across channels—essential for strong communications. Flexible Payment Options Most people don’t carry cash anymore, so if you’re only accepting it, you’re going to lose sales. Get yourself a card reader that takes all the usual stuff like debit cards, credit cards, contactless and Apple Pay. The easier you make it for someone to pay you, the more likely they are to buy. Simple as that. A Basic Website Even if you’re not selling online, you still need a website. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something that tells people who you are, what you do, and how they can contact you. Think of your site as your digital front door. If someone hears about your business, chances are they’ll look you up online. Make sure what they find actually helps them. A clear website is also one of the most powerful communication tools your business has. We work with clients to ensure their digital presence reflects their story, purpose, and value. A Way to Spread the Word You can’t rely on people just stumbling across your business. You’ve got to put yourself out there. Social media is a great start, but don’t stop there. Think email newsletters , posters in your local area or even just chatting about your work whenever it comes up naturally. The more you talk about your business, the more others will too. Starting a business in 2025 is a big move, but it doesn’t have to feel impossible. Get the basics in place, stay flexible and keep learning. With the right tools and the right message, you can build momentum and create connection. Taiga Company helps growing businesses translate operational essentials into brand trust and long-term impact.