Why Should We Be Sustainable? A Look at Our Journey

Sustainability is undoubtedly a buzzword. It’s used by companies large and small alike. And it’s so widespread that one might get the feeling it’s more of a label than a deeply rooted principle—“Honi soit qui mal y pense.” We reject this. Because we are committed to being authentic. Using sustainability for marketing purposes is a no-go for us.

That’s no excuse. We, too, have grappled with this issue time and again, ever since the coworking space zentroom was founded. After all, sustainability is important to all of us; we believe in the effectiveness of a circular economy and in prosperity that does not depend on unchecked growth. Despite this conviction, we have not yet publicly committed to sustainability.

Why? The idea of addressing sustainability kept coming up, and with it the question of whether we, as a small company, could make a difference at all. After all, we aren’t among the biggest contributors to environmental impact. Furthermore, we want to approach this—like everything we do—with full commitment and conviction. For a long time, it wasn’t clear to us whether we could do that in this case.

Not a Choice, but a Responsibility

After careful consideration, we became increasingly aware that the full participation of everyone is essential to bringing about real change—regardless of the size of the company (even a coworking space). It requires a collective effort from all of us. We cannot shirk our responsibility, nor can we rely on others to bear this burden for us. After all, sustainability is not merely an option, but an indispensable obligation that we all share.

We've also come to realize that coworking spaces like zentroom are ideally positioned to support sustainable change:

Efficient Use of Resources

In a coworking space, the infrastructure is shared by various individuals and companies. This means that resources such as energy, water, and materials do not need to be provided for every single office or workstation. Sharing these resources significantly reduces individual resource consumption and thus contributes to efficiency.

Promoting a Culture of Sharing

The idea of sharing is a fundamental principle of coworking spaces. Everything is shared, from office supplies to common workspaces. By fostering a culture of sharing, the need for individual ownership is reduced, which in turn decreases resource consumption.

Flexibility and Mobility

Coworking spaces offer flexible work models that allow members to work in ways that suit their needs. This can help reduce long commutes and lower fuel consumption. The option to work nearby enables employees to be more efficient while remaining flexible.

Reducing Vacancies

Coworking spaces are often housed in existing buildings that may have vacant spaces. Instead of constructing new buildings, these vacant spaces can be put to effective use. Reusing existing structures not only prevents vacancies but also reduces the need for new construction projects, thereby saving resources and energy.

Platform for Sustainability Initiatives

Coworking spaces provide an ideal platform for community initiatives and events, including those focused on sustainability. From workshops on eco-friendly practices to recycling programs, coworking spaces can raise awareness of environmental issues and encourage members to adopt sustainable practices.

Overall, coworking spaces offer an ideal environment for addressing the issue of sustainability. This allows us to make a positive contribution to the environment and help build a more sustainable future.

In light of these considerations, we at zentroom have decided to develop our own vision and strategy for sustainability, one that builds on our situation, opportunities, and strengths.

Those are all good intentions, but nothing concrete yet. In the upcoming second part, we'll go into detail about what this vision looks like and how we plan to implement it.