January 14, 2022
Candace J. Dixon
There are many opportunities to go green that will help make a difference in the environment every day. When you're at work, don't be afraid to engage and motivate your coworkers to buy green products and help reduce waste. Be the example if you need to. Here are some tips on how to go green at the office.
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In the Office
Instead of printing hard copies of your documents, save them to your hard drive or email them to yourself to save paper. Use eco-friendly printer paper when you do have to print.
Make your printer environmentally friendly. Change the settings to print double-sided. Reduce margin width, use small point fonts and the “fast draft" setting when possible to save ink.
Reduce the brightness of your monitor to 70%; this can save up to 20% of its energy.
Turn your monitor off to save energy when you leave for the day.
Pay bills using e-billing programs when possible to save paper. Most software programs have this feature either built in or can work with an app to easily do this.
Use paperclips instead of staples when possible; reuse envelopes with metal clasps; and reuse file folders by sticking a new label over the old one. Look into going paperless if you're even having to do this.
Bring a reusable cloth bag for lunch; try to get items with minimal packaging/made with recycled content if you order food; store leftovers in recyclable containers to take home.
If you have an office kitchen, fill the dishwasher completely before you run it; fewer cycles will save energy.
Stop using plastic and styrofoam cups - they are not biodegradable and can spend years in landfills or end up in oceans and rivers. Switch to a more environmentally friendly material; these plant-based cups made from annually renewable and compostable materials are an option, or better yet, bring reusable bottles or thermoses for your water and coffee.
Green Purchasing at Work
Purchase recycled paper and keep a recycling bin near your desk.
See the EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) Program page for information on buying more recycled-content products, and search the CPG Product Supplier Directory.
Buy energy efficient items that have the ENERGY STAR ® logo or that are EPEAT registered; The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) helps purchasers, manufacturers, and resellers buy and sell environmentally preferable electronic products.
eCycling
Donate old computers and tablets to a school; many will be able to make good use of them.
Before replacing a computer that no longer meets your needs, see if you can upgrade its hard drive or memory to increase its capacity; this can save money, also.
Donate used electronics to social programs, such as victims of domestic violence, child safety initiatives, or environmental causes.
Manufacturers and retailers have options for donating or recycling TVs and computers on EPA.gov. Donating used but still operating electronics for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them out of the waste stream longer.
Contact your county or municipality to find out your local recycling options; you can also check out the I Want To Be Recycled website for information on the right way to recycle items.
Keep both your information and our environment safe when donating your old cell phone. They contain precious raw materials and have a significant impact on the environment. Read The Secret Life of a Smart Phone infographic; understand its life cycle to help you make environmentally smart choices about it and what to do with it when you want a new one.
Volunteer / Community Projects
You can make a difference in reducing, reusing, and recycling in your office-and encourage others to do the same through volunteer work and organizing community projects. Here are activities to come together and reduce waste:
On Earth Day, April 22, this year, show your commitment to a clean environment by volunteering for a cleanup effort in your community.
Organize a recycling drive. Collect bottles, glass, plastic, newspapers and books and take them to your local recycling center or to a charity.
Hold a “donation picnic” at a local park or recreation center where people can eat, mingle and bring their old toys, clothes, books, furniture and other items for charitable organizations.
A great resource is #GivingEveryTuesday: a weekly series of opportunities to give, volunteer, and show kindness with communities, causes and countries around the world. Some weeks are based on international days, others are on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Click here for the full calendar.
Shared Mobility
Traveling creates a great deal of waste, even though it's a must. Whether you are traveling for business trips or commuting to and from work, there are several ways to reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize the overall environmental impact.
Use public transportation, carpool, or bikesharing to reduce pollution.
Investigate new shared mobility options like carsharing, ridesourcing, and microtransit. Reservations, access, real-time location tracking, and payment can all be done with apps on your phone or computer. Read more.
Green Parties and Events
If you cater meetings or office parties. use cloth napkins and reusable dishes, glasses, and silverware.
Make sure everyone knows where to dispose of and recycle their waste.
Put leftovers in recyclable containers, and share them with family or friends.
Donate untouched leftovers from parties to a local food bank or homeless shelter.