Solar panels, wind turbines, energy efficient light bulbs – all tried and tested protocols that businesses have been employing for years, and yes, of course, they do have an effect – a return on your investment if you like.

However, on a personal level, does this really matter to you? What does matter to you when it comes to the bullet points filled under “Ethical Responsibility” of your business?

We decided to take a look at a few agencies, stores and coffee shops that bring a new level to the meaning of sustainable workplaces. They might not be 100% reliant on their own produce just yet, but they’re certainly trying pretty hard to get there.

To kick us off…

BETC - Global advertising agency BETC have over 100,000 bees, living quite happily on the roof top of their Paris office who (as bees tend to do) make honey that in turn is shared amongst clients & team members. What could be lovelier than that? Bees on rooftops seem to be quite a trend for large organisations.

Fortnum and Mason- The luxury food and drink purveyor in the middle of central London not only have 5 floors of extravagance with a couple of hundred employees working away, but also have a 16,000 strong workforce who, in one season can produce between 200 – 300 jars of Fortnum’s London honey. These are then sold in the store below, creating a born and bred London product for an audience of Londoners

FARM: Shop – “FARM:shop is an urban food ‘Hub’, cafe and arts venue complete with mini ‘aquaponic’ fish farm, rooftop chicken coops, indoor allotments and polytunnel” And they’re not stopping there. The cafe is quirky (and employees alike) the food yummy and the theme? Sustainability. This is a feature.

Do you know of any fully sustainable workplaces? Do you grow your own produce at work? We’d love to hear from you.