From Guest Blogger Dimitris Papadopoulos: How To Make Your Office Relocation Greener

Tell people you’re planning to relocate your office and you better get ready to handle some pretty soul-crushing responses.

Because as well as countless ‘rather you than me’ comments, you’re about to be inundated with warning after warning about how difficult and risky it is to move a business.

But, loud as they may be, don’t let the naysayers and doubters put you off.

The many benefits that come with swapping to a better location and building more than make up for the trickier elements of the process.

Not least of these plus points is being presented with a unique opportunity to undergo a much-needed green makeover.

As you manoeuvre the slow transition from one place to another, it’s the perfect time to make a few essential eco-friendly changes.

With this in mind, we’re running through a few top tips on getting the most out of your office relocation.

#1: renovating your new dream office

After you’ve searched premises on the internet and finally found a suitable commercial property to let, you’ll be itching to get in there and put your stamp on the place.

But remember that construction is a major source of pollution and quick fixes aren’t always the most environmentally friendly. When it comes to repainting or structural changes, source sustainable materials and hire contractors with experience of working to green standards.

#2: installing energy saving measures

The financial and environmental rewards of energy-saving measures like tech-savvy boilers and double glazing are huge, but many business owners put off swapping to them for fear of disrupting their busy offices.

Now you can hire specialists to make your new premises fully energy-efficient before anyone’s even moved in, so you can enjoy reduced heating bills from day one.

#3: have a spring clean

You’re being given the perfect chance to have a good spring clean, so take full advantage and submit all your electrical equipment to rigorous testing.

Anything faulty could be wasting valuable energy. Get rid of it and replace it with new, more efficient options. Just make sure you also recycle and dispose of all other waste properly.

#4: embrace new ways of working

Gutting your old place and sorting through the junk that’s accumulated over the past few years will soon have you cursing your slovenly habits.

Don’t make the same mistakes with your new office and instead adopt ways of working that reduce wasteful and space-consuming paperwork. From opting for online bank statements to installing collaborative software like Google Docs, there are plenty of small changes to be made.

#5: moving and packing

As the big day looms, put a little research in and buy some environmentally friendly packaging to reduce the amount of waste created by traditional cardboard boxes.

You can also make the moving process much greener by looking for a removal company that uses biodiesel fuels. If that’s not an option, then at least limit trips by hiring a van big enough to carry all boxes and furniture to their new home in one go.

Do you have any other top tips for a green office relocation? You can always share your advice by leaving a comment.