Sustainability in everyday working life: the “green office”

Imagine an experienced journalist named Olaf Grünfärber comes across your website. He reads your sustainability promises and thinks to himself: “Let’s see if they really deliver what they promise.” With this thought in mind, Olaf makes his way to your office, determined to look behind the shiny marketing phrases and write an investigative story. His goal: to find out whether you really live sustainability – or whether it’s just hot air.

1. energy consumption: switch or standby?

As soon as Olaf enters the office, he notices the unusual silence. No unnecessarily lit screens or buzzing devices in standby mode. He notices that most of the devices are switched off when not in use. “Interesting,” he mumbles, “but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.” Reluctantly, he notes: “No standby waste – looks like real mindfulness.”

2. paper consumption: digital instead of analog

As Olaf walks on, he discovers that there is hardly any paper on the desks. Instead, the employees work digitally – notes and documents are managed on the screen. He stops in front of a printer and reads the sticker: “Please only print if you really need to.” His brow furrows. “Well done,” he thinks reluctantly and notes: “Paper avoidance through digitization – apparently meant seriously.” Slightly annoyed, he continues writing without having found anything really critical.

3. sustainable products: The details count

Olaf takes a look at the materials in the office. He sees recycled paper, ecological cleaning products and even fair trade coffee in the kitchen. In the break room, he discovers baskets of fruit from the region. “Great, even the little things are sustainable,” he mutters disgruntledly as he notes: “Sustainability down to the last detail – that seems well thought out.” Inwardly, he is still hoping for the big catch.

4. waste management – more than just waste separation

In the kitchen, Olaf stops in front of the bins. Carefully separated: paper, plastic, organic waste. But what really surprises him is the compost garbage can in which food scraps end up. “Even that,” he thinks, annoyed. “Waste separation is implemented consistently, even organic waste is taken into account,” he notes, slowly realizing that there is nothing to reveal here.

5. sustainable commute and home office

Finally, Olaf talks to an employee about the commute to work. He learns that many colleagues carpool or come by bike. Working from home is no exception here, but is actively encouraged. “Saving CO₂ and flexibility by working from home – that also saves office space,” thinks the journalist, now clearly discouraged. It seems that sustainability really is part of the corporate culture here.

Conclusion: What will be remembered?

When Olaf Grünfärber leaves your office, he is torn up inside. He wanted to write an investigative story, but all he found was real, lived sustainability. He shakes his head as he writes in his notebook: “No greenwashing – this company lives what it preaches.” Reluctant but impressed, he knows: this time there is nothing to expose, and that is exactly what he will report to his readers.