One of the most cost-effective options for improving indoor air quality is to, quite literally, go green. Many plants can actually suck up indoor air pollution, a problem that plagues stuffy workplaces throughout the country. Not only do plants absorb CO2 and release oxygen, but many also take in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), such as benzene and formaldehyde. Many plants can simply tolerate substances, like VOCs, that are toxins to people, due to differences in our biology. It’s mainly these VOCs that contribute to poor indoor air quality and an illness known as Sick Building Syndrome.

So how does our air become full of VOCs in the first place? If you’ve ever cringed at the harsh scent of a window cleaner, you may not be surprised to find that the majority of chemical-based cleaners contain VOCs. There’s a reason these unnatural cleaners burn our nasal passages and can cause irritation. Unfortunately, VOCs can also come from a vast array of other manufactured products, such as carpeting, cabinets, desks, and paint, and it’s probably impractical to replace all these sources.

That’s where plants come in. By eliminating VOCs from the workplace, plants clean the air we breathe. In addition to scrubbing out air toxins, plants also reduce levels of dust particles, humidify the air, and moderate temperatures. NASA recommends at least one large plant for every 100 square feet of office space. Studies have shown that indoor plants have many other benefits as well—plants make people feel happier and reduce stress, leading to better productivity. Encourage your employees and coworkers to go green by using plants to create a healthier and more productive work environment.

This is just one of hundreds of industry specific initiatives we recommend and can help you implement as part of our Green Business Makeover with Green Business Bureau Certification.  If you are a Green Irene client already, it is certification initiative #238,  using air filtering plants to improve indoor air quality. For information about which office plants combat specific toxins best, our customers can check out Ask Green Irene entry #645, or ask your local eco-consultant to recommend the right types of office plants as part of your Green Business Makeover. We also recommend other green business supplies, such as natural cleaners, to help improve your business’s indoor air quality.

Sustainably Yours,
Green Irene

What is green air filter and how does your air filter choice impact your building and the environment? Simply put, a green air filter provides a high level of filtration efficiency for improved air quality while providing low airflow resistance to minimize energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Green air filters also provide long life for fewer change-outs and use minimal components to reduce source and waste streams. Overall, green air filters can be effective in reducing building operating expenses as well as protecting the environment.

Indoor Air Quality

Air filters are no longer simply used to protect HVAC equipment. Effective air filtration provides the primary defense for building occupants against pollutants in a building. Now more than ever, air filters play a critical role in the indoor air quality of the building itself. Better indoor air quality can reduce absenteeism and has been shown to improve employee productivity.

Energy Efficiency

HVAC systems consume approximately 40% of the energy used in commercial buildings. Air filters play a significant role in the energy used to operate the HVAC system. The higher the filter’s resistance to air passing through it, the more energy is consumed to operate the HVAC system’s motor.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The resistance of an air filter is directly related to the amount of energy consumed by an HVAC system. Greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to energy consumption, and more specifically, electric power generation. Simply put, minimizing energy consumption reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Source and Waste Stream Reduction

Since some filters are disposable products, they have a significant impact on the waste stream of a building. By extending the life of a filter, or by using filters with fewer or lighter weight components, both the source and waste streams of a building can be reduced. Permanent HVAC filters can be washed and reused, reducing items sent to the landfill. Green Irene sells MERV 13 HVAC air filters for homes and small businesses that improve indoor air quality, as well as permanent air filters that can be washed and reused.

The next time a vendor walks into your office with a box of doughnuts  – ask yourself “would I rather have a healthy green plant that is also removing contaminants from the air I am breathing OR a box of doughnuts that is probably going to push the needle on my scale up a pound or two by the morning?”

When I worked at an office prior to starting my own business, it was always the same battle of the bulge war at every cubicle.  We would all be on a diet and then “wham” a vendor would walk in with doughnuts or some other diet wrecking temptation and the diet was once again sabotaged. Our goal in our office also happened to be to make our work environmentally healthy – both mentally and physically.  The addition of plants here and there seemed to lift our spirits but was a large expense for the company to incur.  I decided to ask vendors not to bring doughnuts, snacks, etc. to our purchasing department, but asked if they could bring a plant instead.

It probably cost about the same as what the vendor spent on doughnuts anyhow – it was good for our office environment and was one less temptation there would be to ruin our diets!  This eliminated the initial expense of purchasing plants for the office and since taking care of plants is often mental therapy for most people, we were never short handed in finding someone in the office that would be willing to take care of them.  The program worked well and soon we had a plant on every desk and in the waiting area.

This concept can be taken a step further. During Christmas time, requests can be to suppliers that normally are the bearer of fruit cakes, cookies, etc. to instead send plants or even purchase carbon offsets or other green items the office needs to provide a happier and healthier work environment!

So if you are trying to improve the air quality of your office and the mental well being of your employees – try getting your vendors to give you a hand and you’ll be well on your way to a happier and healthier workplace!

Fun Plant Facts:

•    Research suggests that indoor plants reduce symptoms of fatigue, headache, cough and dry skin.

•    Plant-filled rooms contain up to 60 percent fewer airborne molds and bacteria than rooms without plants, studies show.

•    The following plants are best at decontaminating air and balancing humidity: Areca, Reed and Dwarf date palms; Boston ferns, English ivy and Peace Lilies.

For more information about greening your office, contact Kim Hawkins:

Kim Hawkins

Green Irene Eco Consultant

Kent Island, MD

GLWS.kentisland@greenirene.com

www.greenirene.com/glwskentisland