How everyday workplace habits can contribute to a greener, more responsible future starting with us.
At Apprecious Malaysia, we believe that sustainability isn’t reserved for once-a-year campaigns or tucked away in corporate reports. It lives in the everyday: how we work, how we consume, and how we make decisions. And while much of the environmental conversation revolves around supply chains, carbon offsets, and big systemic changes, the truth is real, lasting change also begins with us. Individually. Quietly. At work.
Our workplaces are where we spend a significant part of our lives. They’re also where we interact with systems, resources, and people that, over time, reflect and shape culture. That’s why embedding eco values at work isn’t just possible it’s powerful.
Here are five simple but impactful ways to build eco-conscious habits into your workday, whether you're an individual contributor, team lead, or corporate decision-maker.
1. Go Paper-Less (Or At Least Paper-Wise)
Making digital your first instinct but balancing it with purpose.
Going fully paperless sounds ideal, but in most workplaces, it’s still not 100% realistic. So what we advocate at Apprecious is to become “paper-wise”: making intentional decisions around what’s printed, how it’s used, and how it’s discarded.
Start by encouraging digital-first habits:
- Use shared cloud platforms like Google Workspace, Notion, or Microsoft Teams to collaborate in real-time.
- Send meeting agendas via email or shared docs instead of printed handouts.
- Opt for digital feedback forms, HR onboarding materials, and employee surveys.
If printing is required:
- Print double-sided, in black and white unless color is necessary.
- Choose recycled or FSC-certified paper stock.
- Repurpose single-sided prints as writing paper or brainstorming sheets.
We also consider how communication design impacts paper use. For example, switching from individually printed cards to a seed paper group message during the festive season cuts down waste while creating added value.
At Apprecious, we offer a wide range of eco-friendly packaging solutions, perfect for corporate gifting in Malaysia. Our sustainable packaging options help businesses reduce their environmental footprint while delivering gifts that reflect genuine care and responsibility.
Why this matters:
It’s not just about saving trees (although that’s part of it). Paper production consumes water, energy, and chemicals. Going paperless reduces environmental strain and encourages a culture of intentionality.
2. Power Down Mindfully
Small switches make a measurable difference.
We tend to underestimate how much energy is wasted on standby devices, unnecessary lighting, or forgotten chargers. One forgotten monitor might not feel like much, but multiply that across floors and teams, and the impact adds up.
Mindful power use doesn’t mean turning your office into a dark cave. It means making energy saving the default:
- Turn off lights in meeting rooms or pantry areas after use.
- Encourage employees to shut down desktops and monitors at the end of each day.
- Use natural lighting where possible, or switch to motion-sensor LED bulbs for common areas.
- Power off air conditioners when the room is empty even 30 minutes saved can make a difference.
Consider assigning a “Green Monitor of the Week” to do a simple walkaround before closing time. Not as enforcement but as a reminder that habits matter.
What we’ve seen at Apprecious:
During our pop-up events or external installations, our teams apply this practice by using energy-efficient lighting, portable solar-powered units where feasible, and ensuring minimal idle equipment during setup/tear-down.
Why this matters:
Energy conservation isn’t just about electricity bills it reduces the need for fossil fuel-based power and lowers your company’s overall carbon footprint.
3. Bring Your Own Reusables
Turning a daily habit into a workplace culture shift.
There’s something symbolic about bringing your own water bottle or coffee cup it’s a statement. A choice. A tiny signal that you’re thinking about more than convenience.
Offices tend to generate a surprising amount of single-use waste: water bottles, paper cups, plastic utensils, and food packaging. And most of it doesn’t get recycled. The good news? This is one of the easiest things to change.
Here’s how:
- Equip new employees with reusable starter kits as part of their welcome gift.
- Stock a “mug wall” in the pantry where people can leave their cups between uses.
- Designate days where single-use packaging is avoided entirely, like “No Plastic Thursdays.”
- Introduce fun nudges like an “Eco Hero of the Month” or sustainability leaderboard.
At Apprecious, we integrate reusables into everything we do. Our seed paper kits are reusable, our packaging is minimal, and when we host workshops, we discourage disposables entirely. We also partner with vendors who use refillable packaging or offer buy-back systems.
Why this matters:
Single-use plastics and disposables often have a lifespan of minutes, but their environmental impact can last centuries. Building a reusable culture helps your team align values with everyday action. One of our most loved options is the Double Layer Bamboo Tumbler with LED, a sleek, eco-conscious drinkware choice perfect for both employees and corporate gifting.
4. Green Your Commute
Because how you get to work is part of the footprint too.
Transportation is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. While it’s not something we always associate with our desk job, commuting contributes to your environmental impact more than you might think.
The goal here isn’t to force every employee to buy a bicycle. It’s to create awareness, offer options, and support flexibility so people can make greener choices when it makes sense.
What companies can do:
- Create a Slack or WhatsApp group for carpooling and ride-sharing.
- Offer hybrid working policies or staggered start times to reduce peak-hour traffic.
- Provide incentives for employees who walk, cycle, or take public transport (e.g., a monthly green commute draw).
- Consider installing bike racks or showers for cycling employees.
At Apprecious:
We apply this mindset not only to our team members but also to logistics. We try to coordinate deliveries for corporate gifting to reduce carbon emissions, consolidate materials into fewer trips, and work with local partners whenever possible.
Why this matters:
Fewer solo commutes means fewer cars on the road. It’s better for the environment and often better for employees’ mental well-being too.
5. Support Sustainable Suppliers
Every ringgit you spend is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.
Whether you’re ordering pantry supplies, notebooks, client gifts, or packaging materials, each purchase is an opportunity to support brands that do things the right way. Choosing eco-conscious and socially responsible suppliers extends your sustainability impact beyond your office.
Ways to start:
- Prioritize local or regional vendors who minimize transport emissions.
- Choose certified sustainable, biodegradable, or recycled materials.
- Ask suppliers about their social impact. Do they support marginalized communities? Hire retirees? Use fair wages?
- For corporate gifting, select items that tell a story, such as seed paper products, batik crafts from seniors, or zero-waste stationery.
What Apprecious does differently:
We don’t just deliver gifts; we deliver impact. Every product in our ecosystem supports a cause, a craftsman, or an environmental goal. From repurposed batik bookmarks made by retirees to zero-waste festive cards, our supply chain is built on purpose.
Why this matters:
Conscious spending doesn’t just reduce waste, it helps drive demand for ethical practices and sustainable innovation. It’s one of the most powerful forms of advocacy available to any business.
Bringing It All Together
Because culture is built on consistency.
You don’t need to implement all five strategies overnight. In fact, sustainability works best when it becomes part of the rhythm, not a one-off campaign, but a mindset that’s reinforced every day.
Here’s how to embed these ideas into your workplace culture:
- Communicate often. Use internal channels to share eco tips or spotlight employee efforts.
- Make it visible. Create posters, pantry signs, or digital reminders to reinforce key behaviors.
- Track progress. Celebrate small wins, like a month with no single-use cups or a successful green commute day.
- Tie it to values. Help employees understand that these aren't just rules they reflect who you are as a company.
At Apprecious, we integrate sustainability into our operations, products, and partnerships not because it’s trendy but because it reflects the kind of future we want to help create: thoughtful, inclusive, and regenerative.
Final Thoughts: It Starts With Us
The shift toward a greener, more responsible workplace doesn’t require massive investment or complex restructuring. It begins with awareness. With a habit. With someone deciding to bring their own bottle or switch off a light.
These small actions, when repeated and supported, form the culture of a workplace. And that culture, in turn, influences partners, clients, and the communities around us.
Let’s lead by example and bring our eco values to work. Get in touch at www.apprecious.com.my
