How To Green Your Work Area

10+ Ways to Be Greener and Happier at Work

Enjoying an eco-lifestyle means living greener in all areas of your life. You may be taking environmentally friendly steps at home, but are you also doing it at work? People spend almost 90% of their lives indoors, and for those people who work inside that equates to about 40 or more hours at your desk, office or cubicle.

It can be if you make some simple changes:

1. Computer Conservation

For many people with desk jobs the computer is absolutely necessary to get things done. It is estimated that people waste over $1 billion in electricity every year just in computer use! To help conserve energy for your computer you can:

• Invest in an energy-saving computer, monitor and printer
• Switch to energy-saving settings or use an application like the one offered at LocalCooling.com
• Turn off your computer whenever you're not using it
• Set it to sleep mode when you are away for short periods of time

2. When It Comes to Paper, Less is More

Do you really have to print out every email and handout? You can reduce paper waste by going paperless wherever possible. You can try to:

• Keep copies of important emails, files, manuals and more on your computer
• Don't get any extra catalogs or magazines mailed to your office
• Get your check directly deposited instead of a waiting for a hard copy
• Send company updates through email instead of on paper
• Review any documents online instead of printing them out
• Purchase office paper from a company like www.echopaperstore.com Echo Paper is 100% recycled paper made from pure post consumer waste. There's other options besides that site, but they offer free shipping and plant a tree everytime you buy a case of paper! :)

3. Prioritize Your Paper Use

If you do use paper on a daily basis then you can make eco-friendly paper choices. Here are some things you can do:

• Buy recycled and chlorine-free paper
• Try paper made from materials like bamboo, banana, cotton or hemp
• Print on both sides of the paper
• Shred old paper to use as packing material
• Save and reuse old boxes
• Use old sheets of paper for scrap paper or note-taking

4. Purchase Eco-Friendlier Supplies & Furniture

Office supply stores (on-line or in town) are now carrying greener options.

• Recycled 3 Ring Binders
• Use Refillable Pens
• Eco-Friendlier Pencils
• 100% Post Consumer Recycled Index Cards
• Recycled file folders and envelopes
• Formaldehyde free furniture
• Build your office interior using bamboo furniture boards

5. Recycle

There are many things in your office that you can recycle. If you don't have a recycling station at work, start one on your own! You can get a few bins and post recycling guidelines above them. Some of them may include recycling:

• Paper products like copy paper, envelopes, magazines, etc.
• Cardboard boxes from shipped supplies
• Soda cans and plastic bottles
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic bags

6. The Power of the Printer

The printer is one of the most used office items. Every day it cranks out tons of important faxes, emails and other documents. Here are some ways you make your printer use greener:

• Try not to print in color
• Use a printer that does double-sided copying
• Print in draft mode
• Use old paper with extra space to print small documents
• Recycle ink and toner cartridges

7. Air You Can Bare

It's already bad enough that you have to worry about air pollution every time you walk outside, but it's also a big priority when you work inside. Here are some ways that you can maintain a healthy air flow in your office:

• Use non-toxic cleaning products
• Open your windows to increase air flow
• Don't smoke in or near the office
• Never bring any type of aerosol can to work
• Use an air purifier to get rid of contaminants
• Steer clear of synthetic stuffed office chairs
• Furniture should not contain formaldehyde
• Paint walls with low or better yet, zero VOC paints
• If carpets are rugs are wanted, pick wool or other natural materials like sisal or jute, shying from polyesters and other synthetic rugs & carpets.

8. Travel with Care

The first part of your work day starts with you getting to work, and for many people that means driving. Cars emit tons of carbon dioxide gases into the air, contributing to global warming. Here are some things you can do for a green ride:

• Join a ride share group
• Take the train, bus or subway
• Ride a bike or walk if you live close enough
• Invest in a green car like a hybrid
• Reduce your travel by working from home whenever possible

9. Plant a Plant on Your Desk

Get a plant and place it on or near your desk. Or, even better, buy plants for all of your neighbors. They will not only see this as a friendly gesture, but they'll also have cleaner air to breathe! Plants absorb indoor air pollution and increase the flow of oxygen, so get a green accessory to compliment your desk!

10. Food For Thought

Everyone looks forward to their lunch break. If you manage to save money by not going out to eat every day then you probably pack your lunch. You can follow these green lunch tips to have healthier eating habits:

• Pack your lunch in a reusable lunch bag or box
• If you bring your lunch in a paper or plastic bag, reuse or recycle them
• Use recycled plastic containers and silverware that can be washed and used again before being recycled.
• Use compostable plastic containers and silverware that can be used several times before being composted.
• Switch to organic food and drinks
• Drink from the fountain or a water filtration system instead of brining water bottles
• Recycle your soda cans, bottles and aluminum foil
• Use a washable napkin instead of paper towels
• Walk to a lunch eatery if you forgot to pack it

11. Spread the Word

The best way to stay involved in the green scene at work is to get others involved. Share your practices and wisdom with your boss and coworkers. You can do this by:

• Encouraging the office to join or start a recycling program
• Purchasing company carbon credits
• Buying eco-friendly office products
• Setting up a carpool calendar
• Getting everyone to pack their lunch and eat together

Your work environment has a great impact on your personal and professional happiness, as well as your emotional stability. If you enjoy how greening your life makes you feel, then there's no better place to keep the tradition alive than at work!