Each April, Earth Month serves as a meaningful reminder of our shared responsibility to care for the planet. At The Shop Workspace, sustainability isn’t something we celebrate just once a year — it’s embedded into how we operate, connect, and design our coworking experience.
Whether you’re setting up for a client meeting in Salt Lake City or grabbing your morning coffee before a brainstorm in New Orleans, you’re stepping into a space intentionally built with community and environmental stewardship in mind. We believe sustainability and shared work go hand in hand — and Earth Month gives us a great opportunity to highlight the everyday choices that support that mission. Here are five ways The Shop is actively contributing to a more sustainable future:
1. Shared Resources = Lower Environmental Impact
At the heart of coworking is the idea of sharing. Shared offices reduce the need for duplicate square footage, furniture, and infrastructure across individual users and teams — which significantly lowers environmental impact compared to traditional office leases or remote-first models where everyone builds out their own isolated workspaces.
When members use shared kitchens, conference rooms, and common spaces at The Shop, they’re contributing to a more efficient use of energy, materials, and utilities. Rather than dozens of small offices each running lights, heating, or air conditioning in isolation, we optimize usage across our larger communal footprint. And thanks to our thoughtful layout and operations, we’re able to support solo freelancers, hybrid teams, and growing companies — all in one efficient location.
In Salt Lake City, this shared efficiency is amplified by the urban, walkable environment of the Central City neighborhood. Members can commute by foot, bike, or TRAX light rail, helping reduce vehicle emissions tied to solo commutes. In New Orleans, members benefit from being within walking distance of the CBD, Warehouse District, and other amenities, making car-free days much more accessible.
2. Spaces Designed to Maximize Longevity, Not Turnover
In an industry often marked by fast trends and short-term fixes, The Shop takes a longer view. From our furnishings to our flooring, we choose durable, high-quality materials intended to stand the test of time. Offices and commons areas are designed with flexibility in mind — so we can adapt to new needs without scrapping old systems or doing major demolition. Whether you’re in Salt Lake City or New Orleans, you’ll notice that our layout encourages movement, collaboration, and reuse: a single phone booth may serve a dozen members in a day; a shared table can host meetings, workshops, or lunch — all without waste or unnecessary consumption. We also build with an eye toward timeless design over trend-driven updates while incorporating thoughtful vintage pieces, avoiding the rapid refresh cycles that lead to unnecessary renovations or landfill-bound décor. This kind of intentionality supports not only better aesthetics but also more sustainable operations.
3. Everyday Habits That Make a Difference
Sustainability isn’t always about sweeping initiatives — sometimes it’s the small daily habits that add up. At The Shop, we encourage mindful use of our shared spaces and amenities, making it easier for members to reduce waste and conserve resources without even thinking about it.
In both cities:
- Our kitchens are equipped with real dishware, silverware, and glassware, eliminating the need for disposable cups or utensils.
- Filtered water stations help reduce reliance on single-use plastic bottles.
- Specific recycling for glass and mixed materials.
- Signage in shared spaces offers gentle reminders to turn off lights, unplug unused devices, and keep energy use low when rooms aren’t in use.
- Members often reuse materials from events, like signage or florals, for future gatherings creating a subtle culture of reuse that we’re proud to see grow organically.
In both Salt Lake City and New Orleans, the rooftop deck is a popular space for fresh air breaks, outdoor meetings, and social gatherings — all of which reduce the need for heating or cooling indoor space during temperate months.
4. Programming that Prioritizes Purpose
As a coworking community, The Shop curates regular programming and sustainability plays a role in what we host, who we partner with, and how we show up. Further, we work to facilitate volunteer opportunities for our teams and members alike with local nonprofits like Glassroots or cleaning up the Jordan River Trail in SLC. We’re also intentional with how we support events at The Shop. Rather than over-ordering food or offering low-quality giveaway items, we prioritize quality over quantity. For example, when possible we opt for local vendors for food and beverage, reducing transportation impact and supporting small businesses. These aren’t rigid policies — they’re part of the broader culture we cultivate: one where being thoughtful is the standard beyond earth month alone.
5. A Culture of Care That Extends Beyond the Walls
Sustainability isn’t just about what happens inside our walls during earth month alone, it’s also about how we show up for the places we’re part of.
In Salt Lake City, The Shop is involved in events like Salt Lake Design Week, and is consistently looking for ways to support downtown activation. Whether it’s highlighting local artists, collaborating with community partners, or organizing seasonal drives like our recent food competition between the NOLA and SLC teams, we look for ways to engage that are community-first and low-waste.
In New Orleans, we’ve embraced the rhythm of the city by staying open and welcoming even during unexpected moments — like offering discounted day passes to those affected by Hurricane Francine. Supporting our neighbors and helping people stay connected is a different kind of sustainability — one rooted in resilience.
These touch points are reminders that sustainable coworking isn’t just about energy savings or compost bins. It’s about how we support one another and the communities we serve, creating a ripple effect far beyond our own footprint.
Looking Ahead
As we grow, we know we’ll have more opportunities to deepen our sustainability commitments — from better waste diversion systems to exploring energy efficiency upgrades and deeper local partnerships. But we also know that meaningful change comes from doing the work now, even in small ways. Earth Month gives us a moment to celebrate what we’ve done — and recommit to the road ahead.
If you’re a current member, thank you for being part of a community that values intentional, shared work. And if you’re new to The Shop, we’d love to show you around and talk about how sustainability and community come together here.
Come See for Yourself
Book a tour or drop by during Earth Month to experience The Shop in Salt Lake City or New Orleans — and learn more about how coworking can be part of a more sustainable future.