Everyone wins with volunteer days! They benefit the individual employees and the local community and organisations whilst having the potential to improve the environment if contacts and partnerships are made with environmental charities.

Each month a business could run a staff volunteer day with different environmental charities and take part in activities such as litter picking, tree planting and educational sessions. There are personal benefits from such outdoor opportunities and going as a group can provide a social aspect that may not be experienced as much in a normal office setting.

Alongside these volunteer days, behavioural changes can be encouraged to improve the office’s environmental attitude. For example, monthly green challenges could be voted in through the staff green group, such as not using plastic utensils for a month. These can then be rewarded with small prizes or with the ability to choose the next environmental charity.