Work Well Blog
April 1, 2025
Six Reasons to Use Eco-Friendly Office Supplies
April is Earth Month, and there's no better time to evaluate how our everyday choices impact the planet. One area where small changes can make a significant difference? Your workplace supplies.
We spend countless hours at our desks, clicking pens, jotting notes, and powering through workdays with our trusty office tools. But have you ever stopped to consider the environmental footprint of that plastic pen you've been chewing on?
As we celebrate Earth Month this April, let's explore why making the switch to eco-friendly office supplies isn't just good for the planet—it's good for your business too.
1. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the average Canadian produces about 14.2 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. By choosing sustainably made products, you're helping decrease greenhouse gas emissions associated with production.
2. Save Money in the Long Run
Initially, eco-friendly office supplies might have a higher price tag than their conventional counterparts. However, with Canadian businesses spending an average of $14,000 per employee on office supplies annually, many sustainable options designed to be reused, refilled, or recharged create significant long-term savings.
3. Boost Your Brand's Reputation
According to a 2023 survey by Environmental Defence Canada, 78% of Canadian consumers prefer to support businesses that demonstrate environmental responsibility. Using and promoting eco-friendly office supplies showcases your company's commitment to sustainability, potentially attracting environmentally-minded customers and partners in an increasingly eco-conscious marketplace.
4. Enhance Employee Satisfaction
Canadian employees, particularly millennials and Gen Z, who now make up over 40% of the Canadian workforce, want to work for organizations that prioritize environmental responsibility. In fact, a recent study by Deloitte Canada found that 70% of young professionals consider a company's sustainability practices when choosing where to work. Providing eco-friendly office supplies shows your team that you care about issues important to them, potentially increasing job satisfaction and retention.
5. Reduce Waste Management Costs
With Canadian businesses paying an average of $187 per tonne for waste disposal, the less waste your office generates, the lower your waste management costs. Reusable and recyclable products mean fewer trips to the dumpster and potentially lower waste removal fees.
6. Be Part of Canada's Environmental Solution
With Canada pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, environmental challenges require collective action. Making sustainable choices in our daily lives—including our office supplies—allows us to be part of the solution rather than the problem. When many individuals and businesses make small changes, the collective impact is significant.
Getting Started This Earth Month
Ready to make the switch? Start small by replacing items as they run out, focusing first on the supplies your office uses most frequently. Remember, sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Every eco-friendly pen or notepad you choose over a conventional option is a step in the right direction. Let's commit to making our workspaces not just productive, but planet-friendly too. After all, Canada's natural beauty is something we all cherish—let’s do our best to preserve it.
Check out our selection of eco-friendly products here >
