We are living in the midst of the “Green” revolution. But have you ever wondered why it is referred to as “Green?” Plants are the foundation of nature and the Green Movement is about protecting and enjoying our natural environment for years to come.
Indoor Plants for Better Breathing
Those plants in your office are not only decorative but scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside modern buildings.
All sorts of dangers lurk inside – formaldehyde and benzene fumes released from building materials, furniture, and carpeting; ozone from copy machines; fumes from cleaning solvents, and more.
In an initial NASA study, over a dozen varieties of common interior plants were placed in sealed, Plexiglas chambers. Formaldehyde was introduced. Within 24 hours the plants – Philodendrons, Spider Plants, and Golden Pothos – removed 80% of the formaldehyde molecules from the chamber. You can use plants in your office to improve the quality of air to make it a more pleasant place to work – where people feel and perform better! In fact Green Globes (operated in the US by the Green Building Initiative), a competitor with LEED, already awards points in their Indoor Environment section for existing buildings that contain indoor plants. You can view their requirements at greenglobes.com.
Improve Your Bottom Line
In addition to the health benefits, plants also provide the following benefits for customers and their bottom lines1:
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Affect productivity and improve worker satisfaction:
When a company provides and maintains plants for their employees, a message of goodwill is sent. Workers feel management cares because plants create a tended space giving people the sense of caring and well-being. In fact, in one study workers have demonstrated 12% more productivity with plants present. -
Reduce absenteeism:
Studies have shown a reduction in employee complaints of fatigue by 20%, headaches by 45%, sore throats by 30%, and coughs by 40% in facilities with live plants2. In addition, a few well-placed plants can help moderate the noise level and thus reduce stress, keeping employees happier and healthier at work. -
Make Buildings Look More Welcoming:
Subtle settings created by plants alleviate the harshness of the building environment. They create a warm inviting refuge. In addition, plants can hide less attractive building features with elegant, functional solutions to service areas, kitchen entries, connecting walkways, etc. -
Increase Tenant Occupancy and Retention:
By maintaining healthy plants in attractively designed containers and displays, the character and appearance of the building improves. People want to stay; their perception of the building is positive. -
Make a Design Statement:
Interior landscaping is emerging as a “fashion-oriented” business. It can be the finishing touch to the overall design as focal points to catch the eye.
1Taken from the Green Plants for Green Buildings Flyer “Plants are Critical to any Interior Design – Why It Matters.”
2See www.gpgb.org article Plants: An Elementary Answer to a Larger Problem.