Numerous writers have published books extolling the virtues of a green office or other work setting. In fact, you may wonder if we need another title on this topic. I thought the same thing myself as I prepared to talk to Leigh Stringer, author  of the newly-published The Green Workplace, yesterday. Hasn’t this subject been amply covered?

Stringer, a VP and green workplace specialist at architectural firm HOK (and a blogger), understood that concern — she even amplified my modest “many books” into “tons.” What makes The Green Workplace different, she argued, is its focus on providing information “for anyone who works.”  This isn’t a book of tips on recycling and turning off workstations at night; rather, it’s about leveraging the whole organization, and the individuals within it, to identify and act upon environmental issues within a company in a manner that changes both perspectives and practices.

Bringing sustainable thinking into an organization doesn’t have to be a “top-down” proposition, Stringer argues. Rather, by empowering team members at all levels, regardless of their motivations, she notes that even the largest companies can make deep changes that create immediate payback. The trick is determining whom to get involved, and how to then motivate them to action.

This isn’t just about theory, of course: during our discussion, Stringer made note of numerous companies, from Google to HP to WPP, that have experimented with “greening” initiatives. The book contains plenty of case studies, and also provides blueprints for those corporations and small businesses that are just starting to think about how their environmental impact affects the bottom line. While these are all weighty topics, she also noted that she wanted the book to be accessible and inviting: while seismic shifts can have major positive impacts, taking note of and acting on low-hanging fruit puts a company on the right path.

The book was just published yesterday, and I’ve only had a chance to skim it at this point… after talking to Leigh, I’m looking forward to digging into it. I’m planning on a review, but be warned — after our conversation, I’m already picking this one up with the idea that it’s not just another title on “greening the workplace,” but a more comprehensive guide to changing organizational culture with the aim of a greener, healthier, and more productive spaces for not just doing business, but transforming how we do business.