Go Green with Earth Day Ideas for Work

Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd and it’s a great opportunity for your company to focus on environmental protection, inspire sustainability, and provide activities for employee engagement. Since the first Earth Day in 1970, businesses nationwide have participated in events to address climate change, reduce their carbon footprint, and promote sustainable practices. This Earth Day, you can get your business involved too when you plan an Earth Day event or begin to implement long-term green initiatives at your workplace. You can make a positive environmental impact with our creative and team-friendly Earth Day ideas this year. 

Why Your Company Should Care About Earth Day & Sustainability

Earth Day celebrations focus on how we can improve the environment, and they’re also an opportunity to build connections with other people. Why should companies care about Earth Day and sustainability? Participating in these events demonstrates your company’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles, integrating your commitment to the planet and the people with ethical business practices.

Not only that, but sustainable practices at work create a positive company culture. Initiatives like recycling bins, composting, or switching to energy-efficient light bulbs help reduce emissions and waste while setting a strong example of environmental stewardship. Addressing environmental issues gives staff something to be proud of and brag about. 

Part of your Earth Day activities at work can include providing employees and clients with reusable or eco-friendly giveaways like branded water bottles and reusable straws. You can also consider swapping out your go-to products for recycled alternatives, like recycled tote bags and notebooks. Using promotional products like this combines branding with environmental conservation. As they reduce plastic waste and trash they also align your brand with environmental causes.

Creative Earth Day Ideas for the Office

Align your organization with environmental stewardship this year with Earth Day activities that inspire action and teamwork. How do you celebrate Earth Day in your office? From hands-on activities to an office challenge, you can celebrate Earth Day with any or all of our creative Earth Day ideas for work. Best of all, these ideas will unite your team and tackle environmental issues at the same time. 

Encourage Recycling with a Challenge

Host a friendly competition to see which department in your office can recycle the most and/or produce the least amount of trash. Provide labeled recycling bins and track progress throughout the week. To motivate participation, offer incentives, like branded travel mugs or reusable lunch bags. It’s a fun way to reduce waste and divert items from landfills.

Participate in a Clean-Up

Gather employees for an in-person clean-up at a local park, waterway, or green space. This activity combines team building with community service. It also provides some time outside in fresh air which can reduce stress and promote mental health according to studies (opens in a new window). Plus, your team enjoys the satisfaction of making an immediate environmental impact. Check our branded work gloves to stay safe during the clean-up.

Adopt Trees or a Roadway

There are many nonprofits and environmental organizations that have programs to “adopt” a tree or green space through donations. Organizations like One Tree Planted (opens in a new window) and the National Forest Foundation (opens in a new window) are planting trees to combat deforestation. Others like Trees for the Future (opens in a new window) and TreePeople (opens in a new window) plant trees and care for local community areas.

Adopt-a-Highway programs are available in every state (except Vermont). When your business adopts a roadway you volunteer to clean up and maintain a stretch of the road. It usually comes with the added benefit of a sign for brand visibility and cost-effective advertising. 

Create a Green Transportation Program

Get employees excited about reducing emissions by starting a biking, walking, or carpooling program to get to work. Incentivize participation with prizes like custom reflective safety gear, pedometers, or corporate gifts when they hit milestone commuting numbers. This initiative not only supports wellness but also tackles climate change head-on.

Host an Educational Event

Invite a speaker to discuss environmental issues, like the effects of deforestation or the benefits of energy-efficient practices. Learning about issues close to your community can spark change and an eagerness to make a difference. Keep the event private and limited to your staff, or open it up to the public to be a resource on Earth Day. 

Another educational Earth Day idea is to go on a nature walk and learn about the local fauna and ecosystems in your area. It’s another great way to get moving outside and keep learning at work. 

Hold a Fundraiser or Sponsor a Community Garden

If you don’t have the capacity to hold activities and challenges, you can always raise funds for an environmental organization. This way you’re contributing to environmental protection. Another idea that will bring you visibility and goodwill in your town is to sponsor the local community garden. Offer branded gardening tools or seed kits to get the planting season started. 

Test Your Earth-Friendly Knowledge with Trivia

Keep your office Earth Day activities lighthearted with games and trivia. A trivia game centered on environmental conservation, plastic waste, and the history of the first Earth Day helps people learn while having fun. Use the activity as an opportunity to share tips for reducing single-use plastics or conserving water. Winners can take home sustainable corporate gifts.

Branded Merchandise to Make Your Workplace Eco-Friendly

Incorporate Earth Day office ideas into everyday operations with company swag that supports sustainable practices. Stock the breakroom with reusable coffee mugs, branded kitchen utensils, and custom logo drinkware to replace plastic water bottles and disposable cups. 

Give employees solar-powered power banks and reusable grocery bags to use daily. When it comes to custom apparel, shop our organic cotton options or clothing made from recycled materials. These small changes promote better habits and add a professional, cohesive touch to your office.

Earth Day Promo Products to Celebrate the Environment

When you’re participating in an Earth Day event, custom promotional products can boost your brand and incentivize some of the activities in our Earth Day work ideas. Our promo product experts recommend these top Earth Day products:

Seed Packets and Planters — Great for giveaways at Earth Day events or to bring greenery into the office.

Reusable Bags and Water Bottles — Encourage reusing these everyday items and reduce plastic waste at the office or during company outings.

Eco-Friendly Notebooks and Pens — Perfect for an educational event or as daily office supplies.

Recycled Ocean Plastic Products — These items are made from plastic bottles pulled from waterways and oceans. The bottles are recycled and turned into useful promotional products ready for your logo.

Hand these items out to spread brand awareness or to give everyone something to take home during team-building activities.

Make a Lasting Impact for Your Brand and the Environment

Earth Day is a great occasion for boosting camaraderie, supporting environmental causes, and showing dedication to sustainable practices. From clean-ups and trivia to long-term green initiatives, the Earth Day activities you plan at work will inspire your team. Pair these Earth Day office activities with eco-friendly promo products for an environmentally friendly celebration that makes a difference.

Sources

1. Bratman, G. N., Hamilton, J. P., Hahn, K. S., Daily, G. C., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Nature experience reduces rumination and subgenual prefrontal cortex activation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(28), 8567–8572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1510459112 (opens in a new window)