You’ve taken a step in the right direction by choosing a sustainable design for your modular office. Maybe your building has even acquired an LEED certification. However, there are still steps you can take to make sure your modular office is as earth-friendly as possible, including:
- Preventing indoor air pollution
- Implementing green internal practices
Improving Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality—particularly on a manufacturing floor—is often worse than outdoor air. Prolonged exposure too poor indoor air can lead to occupant health problems. In addition, indoor air quality is an environmental concern, especially during demolition or remodeling. A modular office can be a sanctuary from the chaos and atmosphere of the surrounding building. To truly accomplish this, consider:
- Using modular wall systems constructed with low VOC’s materials including adhesives.
- Choosing an effective HVAC air filter that can handle your building’s air particle size.
- Providing indoor plants to improve employee health
These basic steps will improve your modular office’s air quality in the short and long term.
Practice Makes Perfect: Green Office Practices
Not all sustainable features are structural. Many green offices stay that way by practicing environmentally healthy habits.
Recycling All Possible Materials
Even if most of your business is run paperless, there are many recyclable items in the average modular office. If your city doesn’t provide recycling services, consider hiring a private company.
Using CFL Lights Correctly
CFL bulbs are a wonderful and energy-efficient alternative for lighting the workplace. However, if your modular office lights run on sensors or timers, be sure to talk to the controls manufacturer to see it they are compatible with CFL bulbs. Many are designed for incandescent bulbs and CFLs may damage the electrical system. Additionally, avoid using enclosed fixtures with CFLs as they are sensitive to temperatures. An open fixture or lamp are the best places to use CFL bulbs.
