Best Eco Stuff

As we work toward making all aspects of our lives more environmentally responsible, one area many people save for last is our work lives. If you work for someone else and they’re not into being ‘green’, you might feel like you don’t have a lot of control over how eco-friendly you can be at work. But, there are still plenty of ways you can reduce your eco footprint – here are five that make a big impact. Pass them on to your co-workers and your boss. You never know, maybe you’ll inspire a workplace green revolution!

Cut carbon by commuting smart instead of driving solo. If public transportation is available, adjust your schedule to take it, even if you have to make little sacrifices like skipping the side-trip to the coffee shop or spending an extra 10 minutes on the road. Carpool with others who work in the same area, if possible, or look into a car-sharing program like Zipcar. And, if your industry allows, take every opportunity to telecommute. If you’re a business owner, keep your employees off the road using videoconferencing software instead of meeting up.

Give your workspace a mini green makeover. All you need is energy-efficient lighting to replace those straggler incandescent bulbs, eco-friendly office supplies like refillable pens made of recycled materials, a plant to cleanse toxins from the air, a mini recycling bin, and a power strip that allows you to turn off all your electronics at once (and keep them from sucking up phantom power).

Go paperless in every way possible. Sure, you’ll still have the occasional need for paper items (see #3!). But, that doesn’t mean you can’t cut way back on the amount of paper that you use. Use email instead of snail mail, and learn how to convert documents to PDF format instead of printing them out (it’s easy, we promise!). Use a scanner instead of a photocopier and distribute the copies electronically. When you do have to print, preview your document first to ensure you won’t end up with errors that require reprinting.

Choose creative, attention-getting, eco-friendly materials for your business cards, letterhead and other necessary paper items. Treehugger recently wrote about the greenest way to make a business card, and ideas include using paper mixed with seeds, so the card can be planted when it outlives its usefulness, and even stamping your info on preserved leaves. When using plain, regular paper is a must, choose unbleached paper with a high percentage of recycled content. You can also make your own envelopes out of scrap sheets you have laying around with this easy tutorial. Your business cards and envelopes will definitely stand out from the crowd!

Carry your own reusable beverage containers, tableware and a cloth napkin. No matter what field you work in, chances are you find yourself grabbing take-out several times a week. All of those disposables add up really quickly. Keeping a set in your briefcase or in the car will save a lot of trash from ending up in the landfill.