When it comes to recruiting, hiring, and retaining talent, new research indicates that sustainable business practices influence workers' opinions of a company, especially younger workers entering the workforce.

The global study, by tech giant HP, underscores the importance workers place on eco-friendly business practices. Some key findings include:

• Sixty-one percent of survey participants believe business sustainability is mandatory.

• Fifty-eight percent said environmentally conscious practices are important to engaging the future workforce.

• Forty-six percent would only work for companies with sustainable business practices.

• Forty percent would look to change jobs if the company didn't implement sustainable business practices.

• Thirty-nine percent would warn others by leaving a bad review of their company for poor sustainability practices.

The HP Workforce Sustainability Survey results also show that sustainability is particularly attractive to talent in emerging economies. While the average response rate shows that 45 percent said that sustainability is a major factor in choosing what company to work for, that number is 73 percent in both India and China and 60 percent in Mexico.

Across the board, those who work for companies they believe to be leading in sustainability reported feeling happier, safer, more cared for, and more productive. They also tend to be avid champions for their employer.

HP notes that one of the most overlooked opportunities for eco-friendly practices in the workplace is in the purchase and disposal of printer ink and toner cartridges, a global market estimated to be around $45 billion. Thus, companies should ensure that the cartridges they purchase are recyclable and don't end up in landfills.