3 Strategies For Better Green Team Building

Better green team building after implementing a sustainability program in-office doesn’t happen over night: rather, it can be a long process that slowly building a better culture around green and sustainable work over time. The key to better green team building and improved returns on your green program is to design strategies that emphasize understanding, commitment, and consistency. Here are three strategies of green building that can do all these things.

1. Get hands-on with the local environment together

Making the connection between green initiatives in-office with their environmental impact is the best way to show your employees the importance and benefits to your programs. By volunteering during river or ocean shore clean-ups, helping in a local gardening project, or participating in a group hike on local trails your team will better connect the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental support with the daily tasks of recycling or other in-office green commitments. A once-a-month or once-per-quarter event on the weekends or on a planned work day is a great number to build better habits. 

2. Start a green awareness day and fair

A green awareness day for your company can help support your initiatives and emphasize your commitment to your eco-conscious programs. You can include games that quiz participants on facts and myths about office recycling, present compelling posters and graphics that show the impact of recycling for your office, and more. In addition, you can invite businesses that provide sustainable products or services–such as home solar panel companies to  organic and local coffee roasters–with a discount to your employees that sign up or purchase. Overall, a green awareness day will help build a sense of green culture in your office, and can generate better understand and belief in the system.

3. Build a culture of eco-friendly rewards and incentives

Green company rewards and incentives also cement the company’s relationship to its mission. You can do this in many ways: from holiday parties that don’t use disposable cups or wares, to encouraging eco-friendly gifts for the Secret Santa, you’re presenting a consistent effort at maintaining green in-office functions. When providing incentives or rewards for great work, giving sustainable gifts, such as gift cards to one of the best local and organic restaurants in town, a CSA share for the family, or gifting sustainable alternatives (like a Bongo bamboo bluetooth speaker versus a bluetooth speaker made from new plastic). Rethinking rewards and incentives this way highlights your green commitment.

Overall, by remaining consistent in your messaging and actions, you can create a better company culture that values green team building and environments.