Every day, there are changes we can make to go a little greener. Many of us spend our days at work, so making some greener choices can make a big difference. While not all workplaces are particularly eco-friendly, you can still do your part in helping to lesson your carbon footprint.
Here are some tips to go a little greener throughout your workday.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Our daily commute can mean a big carbon footprint, so if possible, try to reduce it. This could mean public transportation, carpooling, walking, biking, etc. Or think about buying a smaller car, hybrid, or even electric car.
Use less paper
Try to reduce how often you print documents, and print on both sides when possible. Some offices have a paperless system in place already, but you can minimize how often you print to paper or use digital tools to avoid paper. You can also create a system where you use scrap paper to at least maximize paper use.
Eco-friendly food options
Think about your snacks and meals at work. Use reusable containers, going with glass, beeswrap, and other storage containers. If you bring food to work, consider buying in bulk and using less packaging. If you like to eat out at lunch, think about how you can reduce waste. See if you can choose places that are walkable or a shorter drive. Skip packaged foods when possible (such as bottled water), bring your own reusable straw, etc.
Reusable water bottles, cups, etc
Reusable water bottles, travel mugs, and other reusables can save so much waste. You can also pack your own reusable straw.
Recycle & Compost
Even if your office does not offer recycling, you can bring home your own recyclable items. If you have a compost bin at home, you could save things like fruit peels to bring home.
Use eco-friendly office supplies
There are lots of great eco-friendly office supplies to choose from, including recycled paper, recycled pens, refillable supplies, etc.
Cut back electricity and use efficient lighting
It is good to save on electricity when possible. This may mean a lower thermostat or making sure you turn off lights.
Bring reusable bags
It is always good to have reusable bags with you, either for work or for chores along the way. Many of us stop at the grocery store or other places on the way home, and buying bags every time you shop is not sustainable.
Get some plants
If you are able to add some plants to your work space, it is a great way to improve indoor air quality and add a little greenery to your day!
About the Author: Marysa
Busy blogger and mom of two girls! We love traveling and the great outdoors, and are always looking for our next adventure!
I can’t remember a time without reusable water bottles now! This is a great post which has prompted me to drive less and walk more!
I do a lot of these! I always use reusable water bottles and I also have been recycling.
Great tips on encouraging other to live a more sustainable and greener lifestyle. I myself have been doing a number of these for years now.
These are fantastic tips! We all need to do our part to save our planet. I am printing very little, compared to what I used to. I also am using reusable straws for my kids and also no more water bottles!
These are all such great tips! I’ve recently switched to a reusable cup with filtered water instead of drinking so much bottled water!
I always take a reusable water bottle with me when I am out of the house. The least I can do to save the environment. Oh, and since I am a plant parent too, I have a few pretty potted plants on my office desk here at home. So refreshing to look at when my eyes are tired staring at the computer screen.
These are good tips! We should learn how to recycle things too!
These are all really great tips! It is really a big help to learn how to recycle. Thank for sharing this really informative post!
I always use reusable bags. Once you get in the habit of having them with you it is easier. I also go around turning lights off after the kids. They seem to put them all on all the time and leave them on in rooms they are no longer in which is frustrating.
I love having my plants in my workplace. It makes me relax too.
Lots of great tips! I already used a lot of these ideas, but I’m always open to trying anything that can make my lifestyle more sustainable.
Thanks for these tips. Important changes to make for us and our world.
Thanks for sharing the awesome tipd I must need to apply all of the tips to have a good workday routine
These are wonderful ideas to make work more eco-friendly. My husband and I work from home but we are trying to be more eco-friendly by using reusable water bottles and to-go coffee mugs, as well as making our own snacks instead of buying snacks with individual wrappers. We are also trying to cut down on zip-lock baggies and using re-usable baggies and containers.
I work from home but we do most of these, too. We recycle, we use reusable water bottles and bags, etc.
Great suggestions! I work from home so use washable coffee / protein shake tumblers and have great natural lighting so don’t need to turn lights on til nightime!
These are some awesome ideas that I am grateful you shared with us. I will implement all of them this year.
Wonderful ideas to be eco friendly!
Reducing one’s carbon footprint is an essential part of preserving our planet thanks for sharing
Great ideas, I like the idea of cutting the electricity and being efficient. I will keep these in mind. Thank you for sharing!
I don’t commute to work, I’ve been working from home for 11 years, and we walk most of the time, so I hope I’m sort of contributing to the planet that way.
I have a problem with the metal straws, though. I saw on the news about a woman who got into an accident and the metal straw stuck to her throat. So I think we should come up with a better alternative to that.
Agree with this! I consider the lighting and putting some plants in my work area. It helps us lessen the electric expenses plus it gives me a positive vibes when there are plants to look for while working.
My daugther in law is the best about recycling/composting. Her habits have spread to the rest of us over the years. 🙂
Nnniiiccceeeee…I like all these ideas. With my job requiring me to use less paper, I am so much happy that I got such a job.
It takes little adjustments and lifestyle changes to go eco-friendly. Thank you for sharing.
I love living a more eco-friendly life. From the stuff around me to everything that I use, it’s better to live green today.