How to be a more environmentally conscious contractor

As a contractor, it is important to not only focus on completing projects on time and within budget, but also to consider the impact your work has on the environment. Fortunately, there are many ways to become a more environmentally friendly contractor. Here are some tips to get you started:

1.  Calculate your Carbon Emissions

   With so many people working from home these days, some home office workers can underestimate the environmental effects. If you want to reduce your carbon footprint the best way to start improving is by finding out just how much your actions effect the environment. This means discovering all the little ways you may have never even considered so you know where there is room for improvement.
   
   There is an abundance of websites, apps and questionnaires online such as WWF’s Footprint Calculator that will ask you varying questions about your lifestyle including your living arrangements, preferred transport, what you eat and what products you use. They will then break down what areas you are sustainable in and where you need to improve. Knowing this information means you can decide which parts of your life you want to make more sustainable and may be a real eye opener to just how harmful some everyday practices can be.

2. Recycle Furniture and Tools

   If you have the ability to work from home and are thinking about remodelling your home office, then instead of buying a brand new desk or office chair we’d recommend browsing the likes of eBay or Facebook Marketplace to see if you can bag yourself a bargain. This is especially useful if you are on a tight budget or looking to save money as items are often much cheaper than buying new.
   
   In buying second-hand furniture, you are helping to reduce the demand for new furniture, which can reduce the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. Additionally, by reusing furniture, you are helping to keep it out of landfills, which can also have a positive impact on the environment.

3. Try a Co-Working Space

   If you work from your home office everyday it might be beneficial every now and again to take a walk down to your local coffee shop, library or co-working space. Not only can you reduce your electric bill but you may also benefit from getting some fresh air and interacting with other people.
   
   People working remotely can actually produce far more carbon emissions than their office counterparts, due to the fact they are not using shared power and heating. Working in the same space as others is a great way to reduce your individual carbon footprint.

4. Buy Sustainable Items

   Being more sustainable can be as easy as making a few simple transitions from the products you use to greener alternatives. You can change products from all aspects of life even something as simple as drinking coffee with a clearly stamped sustainability certification logo instead of using disposable pods can make a difference without having to drastically change your lifestyle.
   
   When stocking up on stationary, consider getting refillable pens instead of single use plastics or uncoated recyclable paper. Alternatively, why not go fully digital? There are plenty of cloud based software systems which allow you to upload your files and documents without ever needing to physically store them.  

   We’d also recommend checking your electrical items, especially light bulbs, to ensure you’re using the most up to date technology. LED lighting is extremely energy efficient and compatible with most traditional sockets.
   
   

   If you have any more recommendations be sure to reach out to us on our Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn channels. And remember, if you are working as a limited company contractor and would like some further guidance on how to run your limited company, PayStream’s accountancy service packages are designed to give you what you need at a price that makes sense for your business. Whichever package you choose, you’ll benefit from free, quick and easy setup, a dedicated accounting team and 24/7 portal access to manage your company. Get in touch with our team at info@paystream.co.uk or give us a call at 0161 516 5261