Regular team-building activities and corporate teamwork challenges are popular ways to develop bonds between colleagues and strengthen working relationships. A day away from the desk and off the tools boosts team morale, fosters collaboration, and gives employees a chance to get to know each other in a different environment, away from the workplace.
When planning your next team building day, why not choose an environmentally conscious activity that gives back to the local community? This will make the team feel good about the work they’re contributing to while also supporting charitable organisations and worthwhile sustainability initiatives.
Here are some rewarding eco-friendly activity ideas that leave minimal impact on the environment while maximising team engagement.
- Tree planting
Collaborate with an environmental organisation or contact your local council to sign-up for a tree planting day or community garden initiative. It’s a great way to get back to nature, learn some new skills from ecology experts, and contribute to the greenery and beautification of the neighbourhood. The reward is knowing you’re doing your bit for the environment and seeing the results of your efforts flourish over the years to come. - Community clean-up
Get involved with a clean-up event in your local area. This could be during a national Clean Up Week or World Cleanup Day, which brings people together to make a positive difference to their area’s health, safety and cleanliness. Turn it into a competition by splitting your team into groups to clean up a local park, beach or nature area and see which group can collect the most litter within a set timeframe for a prize. - Cooking for a cause
Engage in a fun, culinary team-building activity around preparing a meal for people in need. There are ethically-minded companies all over the world, like OzHarvest in Australia, that are committed to reducing food waste and building a sustainable food culture by saving surplus food from ending up in landfills. Corporate teams can learn zero-waste cooking skills while transforming rescued food ingredients into gourmet meals, delivered to charities to help feed people in vulnerable communities.
- Upcycling workshop
Creatively reimagine waste by organising a DIY craft session. Teams can design and make their own masterpiece using broken and binned items. For example, wood from a disused dresser drawer could become a charcuterie serving board, plywood or leather offcuts could be cut, painted and turned into earrings, and fabric from an old dress could become a stuffed soft toy for kids. There are various upcycling classes and workshops offered around the world, like these options from across the UK. Crafty, hands-on activities give your team an opportunity to express their creativity while turning trash into treasure and reinforcing the importance of waste reduction.
- Outdoor hiking and conservation
Combine a day of hiking in the great outdoors with local conservation efforts and a bit of good old-fashioned team bonding. Taking a compostable rubbish collection bag with you along your chosen wilderness route helps protect and preserve the natural environment by keeping trails free of litter. Speak with your local council or head to Clean Trails to sign up to clean up along hiking trails in your country. - Plant an office herb garden
For an option that’s a little closer to home, why not use your team day to create a herb garden for your office? Work together to plan and create a mini communal garden to grow basil, parsley, chives, and mint that coworkers can snip off and add to lunches. Even with minimal space, creating a little area for plants in the office is possible. Choose a location where there’s ample sunlight. If your building lacks a designated outdoor space, consider a balcony planter box, potted herb containers or a desktop herb garden. Keep a supply of compostable gardening bags readily available for pruning and ongoing maintenance.
These types of eco-friendly team-building activities not only demonstrate your commitment to corporate responsibility, they also contribute to a positive company image within your local neighbourhood and foster a shared sense of purpose beyond your team’s professional goals. To embed the message of sustainability after your event, be sure to debrief with your team, discuss the lessons learned, and agree on any ongoing actions that can be taken to maintain your eco-friendly momentum.
