An office fit-out is an exciting time for any business. It opens up new opportunities, refreshes the workplace, aligns the environment with a company’s culture and improves functionality all round. Either way, it’s a win-win to have an office fit-out in Nottingham carried out by FIT Interiors. However, an office fit-out can lead to waste generation. The amount of waste produced will largely depend on the size and complexity of the job at hand. With climate change and sustainability being at the forefront of everyone’s mind, it’s never been more important to consider cutting back on the amount of waste that is created and sent to landfill. With this in mind, here are a few ways in which you can cut down on waste during an office fit-out in Nottingham:
Start with a circular mindset
When it comes to reducing waste during an office fit-out in Nottingham, you should be adopting a circular economy mindset. But what does that mean? Essentially, it’s an ideology where you reuse, recycle, refurbish and repurpose as much as possible. This is done rather than sending it to landfill.
Before any work starts, you should have a waste plan in mind. The plan should carefully consider what should apply to the four Rs (reuse, recycle, refurbish, repurpose). It could be something as simple as recycling some cardboard boxes, or as complex as reupholstering office chairs.
Audit existing furniture & equipment
Not everything needs to go during an office fit-out in Nottingham. Before getting rid of old furniture and equipment, think about ways in which you could keep it. Or discuss ideas for making sure it either goes to a new home or is recycled. You could easily keep a piece of furniture if you upholstered it or fixed mechanical parts.
Alternatively, you could donate it to a charity shop or ask around other organisations to see if they want it. If donating it doesn’t sound like a good ROI (return on investment), then you could easily sell your second-hand furniture. Office furniture suppliers, for example, or residential customers looking to add a home office could be interested.
Choose sustainable materials
During an office fit-out in Nottingham, there will likely be a need for new floors, ceilings, finishes, furnishings and more. When you come to replace those items, do your research to find some sustainable alternatives. This could include materials that are recyclable, compostable, made from recycled material or that are generally sustainably sourced. Multiple items are carbon neutral, also.
While they might be more difficult to source, especially if you’re on a budget, it’s worthwhile. Especially if you’re looking to make sure your office fit-out is as sustainable and as waste-free as possible. This also works out in the long run, should you undergo a second office fit-out in Nottingham. Some of the sustainable items you could source for your office include the following:
- Carpet tiles with recycled fibres
- FSC-certified timber
- Modular furniture that can be reconfigured instead of replaced as and when needed
Reduce packaging waste
Office fit-outs in Nottingham will often involve deliveries of new items and equipment. Most of the time, those deliveries will come heavily packaged to avoid damage while in transit. While this isn’t easily avoidable, there are some suppliers who pride themselves on delivering goods with minimal packaging. You should do your research to find out which suppliers are the best ones that also offer:
- Take-back schemes for packaging and palettes
- Minimal or reusable packaging options
- Consolidated deliveries to cut down on waste and carbon emissions
Prioritise modular & flexible design
Design your office with flexibility in mind. Not only will this reduce waste from the time of your office fit-out, but it also reduces waste in the long term. You’ll be able to incorporate modular furniture and modular office partitioning so as to recycle the facilities and space you have. If you need to close off one side of the office to give you some privacy, then simply move the office partitioning from one place to another.
The same goes for modular furniture. Modular items that have been designed as such are often lightweight and quick and simple to move from A to B. This saves you money and also reduces your carbon footprint, as you won’t have to buy multiple items of the same thing to get the job done. In addition, when you come to do a second office fit-out, you won’t have to get rid of any furniture or equipment, as it can then be tailored to your new space.
Plan for long-term efficiency
An office fit-out in Nottingham isn’t just about having an office space that looks the part. It also needs to be functional, as well as sustainable, if you’re a company looking to reduce your carbon footprint all around. You should consider energy-efficient lighting, efficient HVAC systems, and smart layouts that will help extend the life of the fit-out and reduce future waste.
Ask employees for their input & ideas
One of the best ways to make an office fit-out as exciting and as enticing as possible is to get your employees involved in the process. Ask them for their input and ideas. At the end of the day, your workers are the ones who will be spending the most time in there, so listen to them and what they want, within reason.
As well as enabling you to create an office space that is comfortable for your workforce, which will increase morale and productivity, it might also offer up ideas about sustainability that you might not have thought about otherwise. You never know what might happen when multiple heads come together for an idea generation meeting about a sustainable office fit-out that will also help to cut down on the waste generated throughout the process.
FIT Interiors is pleased to provide office fit-outs in Nottingham, as well as office renovations and refurbishments. From office partitioning and office furniture to the installation of washrooms and breakout areas, and everything in between, our design team can always be counted upon to deliver exceptional office fit-out services in Nottingham that will fill any business owner with pride. If you would like further information about the office fit-out services in Nottingham we’re proud to offer, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we’re always on hand to offer guidance and advice.