Make Your Work Environment Eco-Friendly

07.08.2018 GREEN LIVING 0.0 0

In this day and age, when we’ve already started experiencing the effects of global warming, it’s not enough to just recycle when it crosses your mind and take showers instead of baths. In order to preserve the environment, you need to be eco-conscious everywhere, including at your workplace. Fortunately, that’s not hard to do if you know how. So, if you want to do your part in the preservation, here’s how you can make your office eco-friendly.

Save on electricity

Believe it or not, most of the average office power is consumed by electronics that are on standby. So, make sure to shut down your computer, printer, and all the other devices when you’re done using them. Or, better yet, unplug them completely at the end of your workday. Moreover, don’t use screensavers; they might look good, but they are completely unnecessary. Just make your computer switch to sleep mode after 10-15 min of idleness.

The same goes for lights – whenever you leave an empty room, turn the lights off. Also, if you haven’t already, consider switching to LED lights. They might cost a bit more initially, but they last longer and will save you money in the long run. Just don’t forget to let in as much natural light as you can during the day.

Don’t waste paper

When it comes to your office supplies, a great way to preserve the environment is not to waste paper. For example, if you are holding a presentation, instead of printing all the important info on paper, send it via email beforehand. You can also make a website or Facebook group for all your business-related updates, plans, meetings, etc.

If you absolutely must use paper, use the chlorine-free or recycled types. You can also use paper made of more sustainable materials, like bamboo. Also, when printing, use both sides of the paper and don’t throw it away afterward – you can use the scraps for writing down notes.

Freshen up the air

A great way to go green is to literally introduce some greenery into your workplace. Plants can relieve stress and make your office feel more comfortable. More importantly, though, they can absorb the pollutants from the air and purify it. They are a great decorative element as well, so if you want your workplace to be stylish, you can’t go wrong with plants. You should also invest in a quality air purifier, preferably with a HEPA filter. A quality HEPA air purifier would keep your office fresh and safe at all times.

Use reusable containers

Assuming you like to drink coffee in the office, consider bringing your own coffee mug. This way, you wouldn’t have to rely on single-use plastic cups, which also means that you’d be reducing the amount of waste you make.

Moreover, you can also invest in a quality lunch box. This might encourage you to make your own lunch (if you don’t already), which is usually healthier than most of the things you can buy or order. Additionally, if you tend to work in a team or have a close bond with your coworkers, you should encourage them to do the same. Besides saving the environment, using your own mugs and food containers is also a nice way to personalize your workplace a bit.

Change your commuting habits

Your actual office is not the only workplace area where you can go green; you can preserve the environment by changing your traveling habits as well. So, instead of taking the car every time, consider walking to work if the weather is nice, or perhaps riding a bike. It’s cheaper, and it’s much healthier. Also, if any of your colleagues live nearby, you can carpool and save on the fuel. Finally, you can always use the public transport. Even one car less on the road can make a difference, so if you are not in the rush or don’t live too far away from your workplace, think about the alternative commuting options.

From carpooling to using your own coffee mug, your work environment offers plenty of opportunities for going green. So, if you care about the environment and want to do everything you can in order to preserve it, look around your office and make adjustments where possible. At the end of the day, you are guaranteed to feel much better about yourself knowing that you are making a difference.

Guest post by Stella Van Lane

About the Author

Stella van Lane is a passionate writer in love with coffee, chocolate, music, books and good vibes. Her top interests are health, yoga, meditation and interior design. Follow Stella on Twitter.