Green Office Trends: Key Benefits and Features

As businesses emphasize sustainable development and enhancing employee experience, the green office trend is emerging as an optimal solution. Not only does it create a more inviting and nature-connected workspace, but this design approach also delivers tangible benefits in terms of cost-efficiency, health, and brand image.

In the following article, let’s join Okamura in exploring a comprehensive overview of the green office trend, from its definition and benefits to practical tips for building an environmentally friendly workplace.

1. What Is a Green Office?

A green office is a modern workspace model designed and operated based on environmentally friendly principles and optimal resource use. These offices place a strong emphasis on minimizing negative environmental impacts through:

• Saving electricity and energy

• Using sustainable and recyclable materials

• Managing waste effectively

• Creating a clean and healthy working environment

The core goal of a green office goes beyond protecting the planet—it also aims to improve employee health, comfort, and productivity.

To assess how “green” an office truly is, several international and regional standards have been established by reputable organizations, such as:

Evaluation Standards	Developing Organizations	General Introduction
LEED	USGBC – U.S. Green Building Council	LEED grants certification to construction projects that meet established quality criteria, with the following rating levels (*): 40–49 points: Certified Level 50–59 points: Silver Level 60–79 points: Gold Level 80 points and above: Platinum Level
BREEAM	BRE – Building Research Establishment (UK)	The sustainability and “green” assessment standards for businesses are based on key criteria, including (*): Energy, land use, and ecology Water, health, and well-being Pollution, transportation, and materials Management Resilience Innovation
GREEN STAR	GBCA - Green Building Council of Australia.	The comprehensive “green” building assessment standards evaluate the following criteria (*): Energy efficiency Water and waste management Use of sustainable materials Improvement of air quality
LOTUS	Vietnam Green Building Council (VGBC)	The assessment standard is established based on six main areas of consideration, including (*): Energy and water Materials & resources, health & comfort Site & ecology, management operations
EDGE	IFC – a member of the World Bank Group	This is a globally applicable certification system for buildings that use resources efficiently through activities such as (*): Utilizing energy, water, and raw materials Conserving ecosystems and the environment Creating safe and comfortable environments

A green office is an environmentally friendly workspace model that optimizes resource use and focuses on employee health and productivity.

2. Benefits of Implementing a Green Office

Transitioning to a green office model not only helps businesses save costs but also creates a better working environment with many outstanding advantages, such as:

• Reducing operating costs: A green office allows businesses to use energy-efficient LED lighting, intelligent air conditioning systems, and more, significantly cutting electricity, water, and office supply expenses. Additionally, effective waste management and recycling initiatives help reduce costs related to environmental waste disposal.

• Enhancing employee health and productivity: A green work environment prioritizes air quality, safe materials, and natural elements, bringing practical benefits to employees. Reducing allergens and respiratory irritants improves physical health, while a calm workspace positively affects mental well-being, sparks inspiration, boosts concentration, and ultimately increases work efficiency.

• Protecting the environment: By conserving resources, using eco-friendly materials, and managing waste effectively, businesses contribute to preserving the living environment for future generations.

• Improving corporate image and reputation: A green office attracts talent (especially environmentally conscious younger employees) and creates a positive impression on customers, partners, and investors. Being seen as a responsible, green company enhances market reputation and brand value.

• Fostering a positive work community: A green office inspires employees to participate in sustainable development initiatives. Working together toward common goals strengthens team spirit and community awareness, cultivating a cooperative, responsible, and positive workplace culture.

Implementing a green office is a strategic approach that brings numerous practical benefits to businesses.

3. Experience in Building a Green Office for Businesses

Creating an effective green office requires a combination of many factors, from small changes in daily habits to more significant decisions on design and furniture selection. Below are some tips and suggestions to help businesses successfully build an environmentally friendly workspace:

3.1. Incorporating Green Plants in the Office Prioritize choosing plants that adapt well to indoor lighting conditions and effectively filter the air. These plants help remove harmful elements and improve the quality of the workspace.

Additionally, pay attention to arranging a variety of plants. Specifically, select small potted plants for desks, clusters of greenery in common areas, and unique green wall installations to enhance aesthetics while maximizing environmental benefits.

Arranging green plants in the office not only enhances aesthetics and creates a calming atmosphere but also improves air quality and provides many other practical benefits.

3.2. Minimizing Paper Usage

Businesses should encourage employees to use digital tools and platforms for communication, document management, and daily workflows. Additionally, establishing reasonable printing policies, such as double-sided printing and reusing scrap paper when possible, can significantly reduce weekly paper consumption.

At the same time, companies can provide clearly labeled paper recycling bins to facilitate future recycling efforts.

3.3. Turning Off Devices Overnight

A small yet impactful habit is turning off electrical devices when not in use, especially after working hours. This applies to computers, monitors, lighting, air conditioning systems, and other office equipment.

To support this practice, businesses might consider using automatic timers or motion sensors to intelligently and efficiently manage device power and avoid unnecessary energy waste.

3.4. Prioritizing Sustainable Furniture

When selecting office furniture, prioritize products made from recycled, recyclable, or sustainably sourced wood materials. Choosing suppliers with long-term warranty policies (up to 10 years) helps extend the furniture’s lifecycle and reduces frequent replacement.

You may consider sustainable furniture products from Okamura — a premium Japanese brand with over 80 years of experience researching and producing eco-friendly office furniture. Okamura has helped create many green office spaces worldwide while providing optimal working experiences.

Here are three representative Okamura furniture products that embody the green office style you shouldn’t miss:

• Choral - Ergonomic Chair: This elegantly designed chair demonstrates Okamura’s commitment to sustainability. Over half of its weight (about 53%) consists of recycled aluminum and plastic materials. Notably, the chair is 100% recyclable, aiming for a closed-loop product lifecycle and minimal waste.

• Workflex - Desk System: The Workflex desk impresses with its simple structure and two model options, including personal desks or group workspaces. By standardizing screws and reducing their quantity by up to 50% compared to other Okamura products, it results in fewer defects and significantly shorter assembly time. Okamura uses premium sheet metal technology to produce legs, tabletops, panels, and optional accessories entirely from steel—a sustainable material with excellent recyclability.

• Finora - Ergonomic Chair: The Finora chair is an environmentally friendly “green” product featuring modern design. Made from plastic, aluminum, and steel, these materials account for 30.7% of the product’s weight. Like many Okamura lines, Finora is 99.8% recyclable, reflecting a strong focus on environmental responsibility down to the finest details.

Finora chair not only possesses a delicate, thin, and light beauty but is also an environmentally friendly "green" furniture with high recyclability.

4. Discover 5 Outstanding Okamura Green Office Designs 

At Okamura, designers continuously strive to minimize environmental impact by maximizing the potential of materials. As a result, Okamura’s "green" office furniture products feature sustainable structures and ensure stable long-term performance.

Below are five particularly luxurious and impressive green office designs from the Okamura brand:

Green office design model number 1

Green office design model number 2

Green office design model number 3

Green office design model number 4

Green office design model number 5

A green office is not just a trend but a sustainable development strategy that delivers comprehensive benefits for businesses and society. Transitioning to this model requires commitment and concrete actions in material selection, design, and changes in daily work habits.

If you want to build a green office for a sustainable future, your business can CONTACT Okamura HERE to explore effective interior solutions tailored to your needs.