Did You Know? Your Office Has a Bigger Environmental Footprint Than You Think

When we think about sustainability, we often picture solar panels, electric cars, or recycling bins. But one of the most overlooked places where we can make a real impact — is the office.

Did you know...

1. The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper a year, much of which is printed and forgotten.

   
   

2. Computers, printers, and other devices can account for up to 40% of an office’s total energy use, especially when left running after hours.

   
   

3. A single desktop computer left on overnight for a year wastes enough energy to brew 500 cups of coffee.

   
   

4. Indoor air quality in offices can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air, affecting focus and well-being.

   
   

5. Even your office furniture carries embodied carbon — emissions that were released before you even moved in.

The good news? Each of these office environmental footprints can be addressed with small, targeted steps — and the right guidance.

Paper waste: Switch to eco-label stationery and digital workflows — we help organisations implement paperless systems that reduce waste while maintaining efficiency.

Energy-hungry devices: Introduce smart energy management and ensure equipment is switched off after hours — our consultancy can design and implement energy-management systems tailored to your office.

Overnight energy wastage: Audit and optimise equipment usage — we provide actionable strategies to minimise unnecessary energy consumption.

Indoor air quality: Incorporate biophilic design and air-quality improvements — we guide offices on selecting sustainable furniture, materials, and ventilation solutions that improve health and productivity.

Embodied carbon in furniture and materials: Make sustainable procurement choices — we support companies in sourcing low-carbon, eco-certified furniture and office materials.

Every choice, no matter how small, contributes to a healthier workplace and a lower carbon footprint.

At Adapt D&B, we help organisations turn these small steps into a comprehensive green office strategy— from sustainable procurement and energy efficiency to healthier, more productive workspaces.

What’s one “green” change your office could make this week — and how could partnering with the right experts help you achieve it?

Contact Us

References

1.  The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper a year

  ⁠◦  RoadRunner Waste Management. (2024). The Facts: Office Workers & Their Waste Generation A

  ⁠◦  OfficeDasher. (2025). Office Paper Consumption Statistics — average printing of 31 pages B/day

2.  Computers, printers, and devices can account for up to 40% of office energy use

  ⁠◦  U.S. Department of Energy. (2025). Energy Efficient Computers and Office Equipment — ENERGY STAR devices can cut energy use by C 50–75%

  ⁠◦  CIM Group. (2024). Understanding D Energy Use in Commercial Buildings

3.  A desktop computer left on overnight for a year wastes enough energy to brew 500 cups of coffee

  ⁠◦  GreenBizCheck. (2025). Computer Energy Saving Fact Sheet — leaving a PC on 24/7 costs E ~$95/year

4.  Indoor air quality in offices can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air

  ⁠◦  U.S. EPA. (2025). Indoor Air Quality Report — indoor pollutant levels often 2–5× higher F than outdoors

  ⁠◦  NEA Singapore. (2025). Guidance on Improving Ventilation and Indoor G Air Quality

5.  Office furniture carries embodied carbon — emissions released before occupancy

  ⁠◦  MSR Design. (2025). Embodied Carbon Footprint of Commercial Furniture — includes calculator and case H study

  ⁠◦  Coggin-SOS. (2025). Carbon Footprint of Office Furniture — refurbished furniture can reduce emissions by up I to 80%