The international education industry leaves a significant environmental footprint through daily operations. While teaching sustainability is important, demonstrating it through eco-friendly office practices creates a powerful learning environment. Let’s explore how schools and agencies can transform their administrative spaces into models of sustainability.

Ways to reduce paper waste

Paper consumption represents one of the largest environmental impacts in educational administration. Implementing digital document management systems for admissions and student records can drastically reduce your paper usage while improving accessibility. Consider:

• Using e-signature platforms for contracts and permission forms.
• Creating digital newsletters and updates instead of printed versions.
• Setting printer defaults to double-sided and enabling print preview to avoid mistakes.
• Keeping scraps of paper for recycling purposes.

Even going paperless for just one process, like admissions, can save thousands of sheets of paper annually and help streamline operations.

Energy-efficient solutions

Small changes in energy consumption can also lead to huge environmental and financial savings. Think about:

• Switching to LED lighting throughout office spaces.
• Installing motion sensors in less frequently used areas like storage rooms and bathrooms.
• Using smart power strips that cut power to devices when not in use.
• Adjusting thermostats seasonally.
• Encouraging a ‘last one out’ policy for turning off lights and equipment.

Sustainable office supplies

Every purchasing decision is an opportunity to support sustainability. Make eco-friendly changes to school office supplies by:

• Sourcing supplies made from recycled materials.
• Choosing refillable pens and markers over disposable options.
• Purchasing fair trade coffee and tea for staff areas and school cafeterias.
• Selecting furniture made from sustainable materials when replacements are needed.
• Partnering with local vendors to reduce shipping impacts.

Creating an eco-friendly office environment doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your operations. Start with small changes and gradually implement others. You’ll soon see that the collective impact of these adjustments extends beyond environmental benefits—they often reduce costs, improve efficiency, and demonstrate your commitment to practising the sustainability you teach. 

Written by Stephanie Clark