How Merchology Took on an Office Sustainability Challenge
There have been many discussions around corporate sustainability in recent months and years. Companies have taken charge of their practices and processes, working to minimize the negative impact of running their business. Consumers are looking to shop from certified B-Corps and carbon-neutral brands, and employees want to work for companies that deeply value corporate responsibility.
At Merchology, sustainability is one of our core values. As a company, we’re committed to continually improving our sustainable practices, and for us, that extends to our whole team. To impact the health of our planet will require effort from all of us. That’s why, in 2022, the Merchology team took part in an office-wide eco-challenge!
Why Organize a Company Eco-Challenge?
With the sustainability efforts that many companies already employ, and the general knowledge many people have about eco-friendly practices, is it worth planning a company eco-challenge? Definitely! And here’s why:
- Sustainability awareness can easily fade into the background. It can be much easier to focus on the busyness of our own lives than to think about the larger world around us.
- Little habits build up quickly, including unhealthy ones. The first time you forget your reusable tote at the grocery store, it doesn’t seem like a big deal—but then, you keep forgetting. Eco-challenges help take stock of your own habits.
- Challenges help with accountability. If the people around you are focused on recycling, you’ll be more conscious of sorting your plastic waste into the right bins.
- Education is important. Just because you might be knowledgeable about sustainability practices doesn’t mean the person next to you has the same base knowledge. Plus, it’s always good to get a refresher course on which products and packaging can actually be recycled, what biodegradable really means, why carbon neutrality is important, etc.
- It’s another reason to join together with your team members! It’s a great conversation starter, and it unites everyone toward a common goal. The larger the group, the greater the impact on your community!
Office Sustainability Challenge Ideas
At Merchology, we love a good challenge—especially when it comes to protecting our planet! Here are some office sustainability challenges that we love:
- Go plastic free for a week
- Create a carpool signup
- Send info on vegetarian diets—challenge your team to try it out if it works for their lifestyle/health needs!
- Set up a green ideas box so your team members can brainstorm their own sustainable initiatives!
- Get rid of single-use coffee cups for a month—offer reusable mugs instead
- Have employees bring plants to the office—you’ll be breathing cleaner air and boosting morale at the same time!
- Hold an upcycling contest on social media—see who has the most creative upcycling project!
Read this guide from Merchology on How to Plan a Company Eco-Challenge for more specific tips!
Merchology’s 2022 Eco Challenge
You may have heard that it takes 21 days to build a habit—that’s 21 consecutive days of implementing the same practice without fail. At Merchology, we decided it was time to build some sustainable personal habits of our own! For the 21 days leading up to Earth Day on April 22nd, our team participated in a 2022 Merchology Eco Challenge Bingo game! Our hope was to spend those 21 days bringing sustainability to the forefront of our minds, and to ultimately build some lasting eco-friendly habits.
Those who completed a bingo during our eco-challenge received a cozy fleece blanket as a prize! In total, we had 84 people get a bingo—that’s 84 people who tried new things, stepped out of their comfort zones, and created sustainable habits. With a variety of challenges that ranged from changes in diet to transportation, our team members were able to try out new habits to see what might work for them on a regular basis!
There were a few bingo squares that had people to choose and document their own environmentally friendly activities, which allowed them to be creative bring their own ideas to the table. Here are some photos of sustainable habits our team implemented!
Composting is the process of turning recycled organic matter into environmentally-safe fertilizer for plants! Compost enriches the soil by adding healthy bacteria and fungi that help break down nutrients. Composting reduces food waste, decreases soil erosion, eliminates harmful methane emissions from landfills, and more!
Although plastic grocery bags seem like a necessary evil, we’re here to tell you it’s possible to do without them. Plastic bags can take 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, and they’re not recyclable. Most grocery stores have reusable bags for sale (for usually around $1), so stock up next time you’re at the store!
Line drying is gentle on your clothes, saves money, and protects the environment, too! Did you know that if you cut your dryer use in half and line dried part-time, you could save 1,150 pounds of CO2 emissions? It’s a small step, but the pros outweigh the cons. The only thing you’ll spend is time, so start by line-drying more delicate clothing items to build the habit!
Sustainable Prizes Office Eco-Challenges
Offering awesome prizes is a great way to increase engagement with your office sustainability challenge. Take it a step further and opt for sustainably made custom merch and apparel! Here are some of our favorite sustainable custom gifts:
Custom Zusa White Sidekick Water Bottle 20 oz
This custom double-wall insulated water bottle is made by Zusa, a carbon-neutral company! 1% of the profits from your custom Zusa Sidekick Water bottle will be dedicated to protecting the planet.
Branded Econscious Men's Charcoal Organic/Recycled Full-Zip Hoodie
This comfortable hoodie is made from organic and recycled materials. The branded Econscious Full-Zip is perfect for working from home or traveling for business.
Embroidered The North Face Burnt Olive Green Mountain Beanie
The cozy, custom-embroidered The North Face Mountain Beanie is made from 100% recycled fabric. It’s perfect for harsh weather and outdoor adventures.
Contact Us at Merchology!
Need more ideas for custom sustainable gifts? Contact a Merchologist today to learn about brands, products, and more that can help bring your company's eco-challenge to life. From fun sustainable company ideas to environmentally-friendly corporate gift ideas and brands; Merchology has everything you could need to take a big step into 2023!