Sustainability in Coworking Spaces
How shared workspaces are reducing environmental impact – and what we're doing at Abstrakt to push further.
Abstrakt Team 
Coworking is inherently more sustainable than traditional offices. Shared resources mean less waste. But we can do better than just “less bad.” Here’s how we’re thinking about sustainability at Abstrakt.
The Baseline: Sharing is Efficient
Before any special initiatives, coworking already wins on sustainability:
Resource Sharing
- One printer serves 50 people instead of 50 individual printers
- One coffee machine, one kitchen, one HVAC system
- Meeting rooms used at high capacity rather than sitting empty
Space Efficiency
- Hot desking means less square footage per person
- Flexible memberships mean space matches actual demand
- No ghost offices sitting empty when companies downsize
Commute Reduction
- Multiple locations let people work near home
- Hybrid members skip commutes entirely some days
- Neighborhood coworking reduces citywide transportation
Studies suggest coworking can reduce per-person carbon footprint by 30-40% compared to traditional offices.
Beyond the Baseline
But “better than traditional offices” isn’t our goal. Here’s what we’re actively working on:
Energy
What we’ve done:
- 100% renewable electricity at all locations
- LED lighting with motion sensors everywhere
- Smart HVAC that adjusts based on actual occupancy
What we’re working on:
- Solar panels on our Mitte rooftop (coming 2025)
- Real-time energy dashboards visible to members
- Carbon offsetting for the energy we can’t eliminate
Materials
Furniture:
- Second-hand and refurbished furniture where possible
- New furniture from B-Corp certified manufacturers
- Repair-first policy (we fix, not replace)
Consumables:
- No single-use plastics anywhere
- Compostable coffee cups and utensils
- Cleaning products that are biodegradable
Construction:
- Sustainable materials in all renovations
- Salvaged materials where structurally appropriate
- Local suppliers to reduce transportation
Waste
Our waste strategy follows the hierarchy: reduce, reuse, recycle, compost.
Reduce:
- Digital-first policies (no unnecessary printing)
- Reusable dishes, mugs, and water bottles
- Bulk buying to reduce packaging
Reuse:
- Furniture exchange between locations
- Member swap shelf for books and supplies
- Repair café once a month
Recycle:
- Comprehensive recycling stations (paper, plastic, metal, glass)
- E-waste collection quarterly
- Textile recycling box
Compost:
- All food waste composted on-site or collected
- Garden on our Kreuzberg rooftop uses the compost
- Members can take compost for their home gardens
Food and Beverage
The kitchen and café matter too:
- Coffee from local roasters with direct trade relationships
- Plant-based milk as default (dairy available but not featured)
- Fruit from regional suppliers when in season
- Water from filtered taps, not bottles
Member Initiatives
Some of our best sustainability programs come from members:
The Green Team A member-led group that audits our practices and proposes improvements. They’ve pushed us on everything from cleaning products to event catering.
Skills Sharing Monthly sessions where members share sustainability knowledge – from carbon accounting to circular design principles.
Group Buying Members coordinate bulk purchases of sustainable products, from bamboo toothbrushes to solar chargers.
Measuring Progress
We track and publish:
- Annual carbon footprint per member
- Waste diversion rate (% not going to landfill)
- Energy usage per square meter
- Water consumption
Transparency keeps us honest. Our sustainability report is available on our website.
What’s Next
We’re not done. On the roadmap:
- Carbon neutrality by 2026
- Zero waste certification by 2027
- Biodiversity garden at our Prenzlauer Berg location
- Electric cargo bike for inter-location deliveries
The Bigger Picture
Individual actions matter, but systemic change matters more. We’re also:
- Advocating for better building codes
- Sharing our practices with other coworking operators
- Supporting member companies working on climate solutions
If you’re building something that helps the planet, we want you here.
Want to see our sustainability practices in action? Book a tour and we’ll show you around.