Workplace incentives are changing as more companies move away from traditional rewards and choose eco-friendly alternatives. This shift comes from employees who want benefits that reflect their environmental values and from organizations that want to align rewards with sustainability goals.
In this post, we’ll look at innovative, sustainable workplace incentives and how any business can put them into practice.
The Rise of Sustainable Workplace Incentives
A Shift in Corporate Rewards
Companies now embrace eco-friendly alternatives to traditional incentives, reflecting a change in corporate values and employee expectations.
Employee-Driven Demand for Green Benefits
Recent data highlights that 92% of workers feel valued in companies with recognition programs, while only 70% feel valued in companies without one. This statistic underscores the importance of aligning incentives with employee expectations.
Innovative companies like Patagonia have set a high standard by offering employees paid time off for environmental activism. This approach benefits the planet and enhances employee engagement and loyalty.
The New Generation’s Green Expectations
The push for sustainable workplace incentives comes from both top-down and bottom-up directions. Millennials and Gen Z actively seek employers who prioritize environmental responsibility.
This demand has sparked innovative eco-friendly perks such as:
- Carbon offset credits for business travel
- Subsidies for purchasing electric vehicles or e-bikes
- Green energy rebates for home office setups
Aligning Corporate Goals with Eco-Friendly Incentives
Forward-thinking companies recognize that sustainable incentives serve a dual purpose: they reward employees while advancing corporate sustainability objectives. For instance, tech giant Microsoft has implemented an internal carbon tax, using the proceeds to fund sustainability projects and employee incentives tied to reducing the company’s carbon footprint.
The Future of Workplace Rewards
As we witness this shift towards sustainable workplace incentives, it’s clear that this trend represents more than a passing fad. It signifies a fundamental reimagining of how companies can motivate their workforce, meet corporate objectives, and contribute to a healthier planet.
The next chapter will explore specific examples of innovative, eco-friendly reward ideas that companies can implement to stay ahead of this green revolution in employee benefits.
Innovative Eco-Friendly Reward Ideas
At Gladly Network, we’ve identified several cutting-edge, eco-friendly reward ideas. These initiatives not only motivate employees but also align with corporate sustainability goals.
Green Commutes for Happy Employees
Companies now offer green transportation incentives to reduce their carbon footprint. A recent study collected 7369 questionnaires nationwide to examine public behavior and preferences regarding green transportation and attitudes towards related policies.
Salesforce partners with local bike-sharing programs to offer employees free memberships. This initiative promotes eco-friendly commuting and encourages physical activity (which can reduce stress).
Sustainable Office Makeovers
Eco-friendly office supplies and equipment have become popular reward choices. Unilever allows employees to select sustainable office furniture made from recycled materials for their home offices.
Tech giant Dell has implemented a program where top-performing employees can choose energy-efficient appliances for their homes (paid for by the company). This reward helps employees reduce their personal carbon footprint.
Planet-Friendly Food Rewards
Plant-based and locally sourced food rewards are gaining popularity. Google’s cafeterias now offer primarily plant-based options, with meat dishes as the exception. They’ve reported a significant reduction in their food-related carbon emissions as a result.
A great example of this in action is ALOHA, an employee-owned Certified B Corp that creates simple, nutritious products with sustainable practices. Including partners like ALOHA in workplace rewards allows companies to offer snack boxes or care packs that not only nourish employees but also align directly with eco-conscious values.
Airbnb offers employees gift cards to local, organic farmers’ markets. This approach promotes healthy eating and supports local agriculture while reducing food miles.
Offsetting Business Travel
As business travel resumes, companies look for ways to mitigate its environmental impact. Microsoft has implemented an internal carbon tax on business travel, using the funds to purchase carbon offsets. They’ve reported offsetting over 60,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions in a single year through this program.
Etsy allows employees to choose carbon offset projects to support with company funds. This initiative not only offsets travel emissions but also educates employees about climate change mitigation strategies.
Beyond offsets, companies are also exploring travel perks that combine savings with responsible choices. With Gladly Travels, employees can find affordable hotels, flights, car rentals, and experiences through trusted partners. Making personal travel more intentional not only reduces financial stress but also encourages more thoughtful, eco-conscious decisions.
Time Off for Environmental Causes
Volunteer time off (VTO) for environmental causes has become increasingly popular. A recent study addresses the importance of organizational environmental volunteering as part of corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies.
Timberland offers employees 40 paid hours per year to volunteer, with many choosing to participate in the company’s annual Earth Day events, which include activities like tree planting and beach cleanups.
These innovative eco-friendly rewards showcase how companies can motivate their workforce while making a positive impact on the environment. The next section will explore how businesses can effectively implement these sustainable incentive programs.
How to Build a Sustainable Incentive Program
Assess Your Current Rewards
The first step is to evaluate your existing incentive programs. Examine each reward and ask: What environmental impact does it have? How much waste does it generate? Can we replace it with a greener alternative?
For example, a company discovered their employee-of-the-month parking spot reward encouraged more driving. They switched to offering premium bike parking and shower facilities instead (which reduced their carbon footprint and improved employee health).
Set Specific, Measurable Objectives
Vague goals like “become more sustainable” won’t suffice. You need specific, quantifiable targets. For instance:
- Reduce reward-related waste within 12 months
- Ensure 75% of incentives have a positive environmental impact by next quarter
- Decrease the carbon footprint of our rewards program by 30% this year
These concrete objectives provide clear targets to aim for and measure against.
Engage Your Employees
Your team is your best resource for creating an effective, sustainable incentive program. They know what motivates them and what doesn’t.
We recommend you run a company-wide survey to gather ideas. Ask questions like:
- What eco-friendly rewards would you find most motivating?
- How important is sustainability in our incentive program to you?
- What current rewards do you think are wasteful or unnecessary?
Tools like Motivosity make this process easier by giving employees a voice and a platform for recognition. Beyond surveys, Motivosity helps companies celebrate contributions daily and distribute rewards in a way that feels personal and values-aligned, perfect for weaving sustainable choices into the recognition culture.
One company discovered through this process that their employees preferred additional paid time off for volunteering at local environmental organizations over traditional gift cards.
Select Eco-Conscious Partners
Your sustainable incentive program is only as good as the partners you work with. Look for vendors and service providers with strong environmental credentials.
For example, if you offer sustainable office supplies as rewards, partner with a company that uses 100% post-consumer recycled paper and renewable energy in their production process.
A strong example here is Hypochlorous Company, which produces eco-friendly cleaning solutions that are safe, effective, and aligned with sustainability goals. By partnering with brands like Hypochlorous, companies can offer employees rewards that not only feel useful and high-quality but also reflect a genuine commitment to healthier, environmentally responsible choices.
When selecting partners, don’t just take their word for it. Ask for concrete data on their sustainability practices and impact.
Measure and Share Your Impact
Quantifying the environmental impact of your new incentive program is essential. It helps you understand what works, what doesn’t, and where you can improve.
Use carbon footprint calculators to quantify the difference between your old and new rewards. Share these results with your team regularly. Transparency builds trust and keeps everyone motivated.
One tech company found that after switching to sustainable incentives, they reduced their rewards-related carbon emissions by 40% in just six months (a tangible result that can powerfully motivate both employees and management to continue supporting the program).
Shaping the Future with Sustainable Workplace Incentives
Sustainable workplace incentives are more than a passing trend. They give companies a way to attract top talent, build stronger engagement, and contribute to environmental health. Organizations that introduce carbon offset programs, eco-friendly travel options, and green energy subsidies set the pace for the next generation of workplace incentives. These efforts show both employees and customers that sustainability can create real value while delivering meaningful rewards.
At Gladly Network, our platform makes it simple for businesses to turn these ideas into action. Through exclusive perks and access to purpose-driven brands, we help companies connect with the conscious shopper and inspire employees with benefits that matter. Signing up is free, and every purchase on the platform strengthens a culture where doing good and feeling rewarded go hand in hand.
The time to act is now. By rethinking workplace incentives, businesses can do more than motivate their teams. They can help lead the way toward a greener and more responsible way of working and living.
