At Vestra, environmental responsibility guides everything we do. Our commitment to a cleaner future involves proactive waste and pollution management, encompassing risk assessment, environmental planning, and ongoing improvement efforts in every project.
Our range of environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies, procedures and governance processes recognise our commitment to action on sustainability. These include:
Creating a lean, green and sustainable workspace is not only good for the planet, it can help your business save money, attract talent and enhance your brand. With the environment front of mind for today’s workforce, customers, suppliers and communities, sustainability is no longer just a nice to have for business owners.
On top of reducing your carbon footprint, integrating ethical business practices and sustainable office design can improve the well-being of your employees, boost your corporate image and make you a sought-after business by suppliers and new talent.
A survey of corporate business found that more than 70% of respondents were more likely to choose to work at a company with a strong environmental agenda. Nearly half said they’d be willing to accept a smaller salary to work for a company that’s environmentally responsible.
With so many environmental, economic and social benefits of environmentally sustainable design (ESD), it is fast becoming a priority for our clients. When considered from the very start of a project, sustainable office design can be simpler and more cost-effective than you think. Sustainable office design is an important element of your community and corporate social responsibility policy.
While it was once a niche area, major providers of office interior products emphasise offering cost-effective and attractive recycled, renewable and sustainably-sourced materials.
From eco-friendly paint and timber flooring to office furniture made from recycled materials, there are many ways to make sustainable choices when creating a new office fitout.
Vestra works with you to help you make sustainable choices and ensure your furniture, fittings and fixtures create a productive workspace.
Incorporating recycling stations and dedicated recycling bins into the design of your office spaces from the outset will make it as easy as possible for your employees to recycle.
From paper, plastic and glass to organic waste and e-waste, there are many materials found in the office that can be recycled. Placing sorting bins onsite where these materials are used builds recycling into your processes without adding complexity.
Bringing nature such as potted plants, hanging gardens, living walls or even an edible garden into your office space can not only look amazing, but they bring many other benefits.
Not only do they have the potential to improve air quality in the office, but they can also boost mood and productivity. According to a study by UTS Sydney2, having indoor plants in the office could reduce stress and negative mood feelings by over 40%.
Here are a few ways we improve the energy efficiency of our office designs:
Founded by Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system that provides a framework of best practice benchmarks for sustainability. It is Australia’s trusted mark of quality for the design, construction and operation of sustainable fit-outs and buildings.
According to the GBCA:
“A Green Building incorporates principles of sustainable development – meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future”.
Green buildings have design, construction and operational practices that eliminate or reduce the negative impact on the environment and the building’s occupants, using resources effectively and creating healthier environments for people to live and work in.
At Vestra we have a comprehensive appreciation and understanding of the Green Star sustainability rating system, and take pride in including their principles in our office fitouts.
Vestra is supporting the Tree-Nation organisation which is on a mission to reforest the world andhelp fight climate change by solving the global problem of deforestation.
Tree-Nation coordinates reforestation projects worldwide to fight back against the alarming rates of global deforestation, combat climate change and support local communities by creating a positive economic impact on local populations.
1 trillion trees planted by 2050 is Tree-Nation’s mission
32+ million trees planted to date
5+ million tonnes of CO2 offset already