| Enjoying an eco-lifestyle means living greener in all | | | | Try not to print in color |
| areas of your life. You may be taking | | | | Use a printer that does double-sided copying |
| environmentally friendly steps at home, but are | | | | Print in draft mode |
| you also doing it at work? People spend almost | | | | Use old paper with extra space to print small |
| 90% of their lives indoors, and for those people | | | | documents |
| who work inside that equates to about 40 or | | | | Recycle ink and toner cartridges |
| more hours at your desk, office or cubicle. | | | | 6. Air You Can Bare |
| Whether you're a student interning at a major | | | | It's already bad enough that you have to worry |
| corporation, a marketing associate making phone | | | | about air pollution every time you walk outside, |
| calls all day or an office assistant handling | | | | but it's also a big priority when you work inside. |
| paperwork, you're going to spend a majority of | | | | Here are some ways that you can maintain a |
| your time in one place all day. So don't you want | | | | healthy air flow in your office: |
| your work space to be eco-friendly and energy | | | | Use non-toxic cleaning products |
| efficient? It can be if you make some simple | | | | Open your windows to increase air flow |
| changes: | | | | Don't smoke in or near the office |
| 1. Computer Conservation | | | | Never bring any type of aerosol can to work |
| For many people with desk jobs the computer is | | | | Use an air purifier to get rid of contaminants |
| absolutely necessary to get things done. It is | | | | 7. Travel with Care |
| estimated that people waste over $1 billion in | | | | The first part of your work day starts with you |
| electricity every year just in computer use! To | | | | getting to work, and for many people that means |
| help conserve energy for your computer you can: | | | | driving. Cars emit tons of carbon dioxide gases |
| Invest in an energy-saving computer, monitor and | | | | into the air, contributing to global warming. Here |
| printer | | | | are some things you can do for a green ride: |
| Switch to energy-saving settings | | | | Join a ride share group |
| Turn off your computer whenever you're not | | | | Take the train, bus or subway |
| using it | | | | Ride a bike or walk if you live close enough |
| Set it to sleep mode when you are away for | | | | Invest in a green car like a hybrid |
| short periods of time | | | | Reduce your travel by working from home |
| 2. Paper-Less is More | | | | whenever possible |
| Do you really have to print out every email and | | | | 8. Plant a Plant on Your Desk |
| handout? You can reduce paper waste by going | | | | Get a plant and place it on or near your desk. Or, |
| paperless wherever possible. You can try to: | | | | even better, buy plants for all of your neighbors. |
| Keep copies of important emails, files, manuals | | | | They will not only see this as a friendly gesture, |
| and more on your computer | | | | but they'll also have cleaner air to breathe! Plants |
| Don't get any extra catalogues or magazines | | | | absorb indoor air pollution and increase the flow of |
| mailed to your office | | | | oxygen, so get a green accessory to compliment |
| Get your check directly deposited instead of a | | | | your desk! |
| waiting for a hard copy | | | | 9. Food For Thought |
| Send company updates through email instead of | | | | Everyone looks forward to their lunch break. If |
| on paper | | | | you manage to save money by not going out to |
| Review any documents online instead of printing | | | | eat every day then you probably pack your lunch. |
| them out | | | | You can follow these green lunch tips to have |
| 3. Prioritize Your Paper Use | | | | healthier eating habits: |
| If you do use paper on a daily basis then you can | | | | Pack your lunch in a reusable lunch bag or box |
| make eco-friendly paper choices. Here are some | | | | If you bring your lunch in a paper or plastic bag, |
| things you can do: | | | | reuse or recycle them |
| Buy recycled and chlorine-free paper | | | | Use plastic containers and silverware that can be |
| Try paper made from organic products like | | | | washed and used again |
| bamboo, cotton or hemp | | | | Switch to organic food and drinks |
| Print on both sides of the paper | | | | Drink from the fountain or a water filtration |
| Shred old paper to use as packing material | | | | system instead of brining water bottles |
| Save and reuse old boxes | | | | Recycle your soda cans, bottles and aluminum foil |
| Use old sheets of paper for scrap paper or | | | | Use a washable napkin instead of paper towels |
| note-taking | | | | Walk to a lunch eatery if you forgot to pack it |
| 4. Recycle | | | | 10. Spread the Word |
| There are many things in your office that you | | | | The best way to stay involved in the green |
| can recycle. If you don't have a recycling station | | | | scene at work is to get others involved. Share |
| at work, start one on your own! You can get a | | | | your practices and wisdom with your boss and |
| few bins and post recycling guidelines above them. | | | | coworkers. You can do this by: |
| Some of them may include recycling: | | | | Encouraging the office to join or start a recycling |
| Paper products like copy paper, envelopes, | | | | program |
| magazines, etc. | | | | Purchasing company carbon credits |
| Cardboard boxes from shipped supplies | | | | Buying eco-friendly office products |
| Soda cans and plastic bottles | | | | Setting up a carpool calendar |
| Aluminum foil | | | | Getting everyone to pack their lunch and eat |
| Plastic bags | | | | together |
| Ink cartridges | | | | Your work environment has a great impact on |
| 5. The Power of the Printer | | | | your personal and professional happiness and your |
| The printer is one of the most used office items. | | | | emotional stability. If you enjoy how greening |
| Every day it cranks out tons of important faxes, | | | | your life makes you feel, then there's no better |
| emails and other documents. Here are some | | | | place to keep the tradition alive than at work! |
| ways you make your printer use greener: | | | | |