Jenna Careri / November 11th, 2016

2 min read

[jamesteohart]/Shutterstock

 

Green habits can help you conserve energy in the home, but have you ever thought about using them in your office? Whether you’re a boss or employee of a large corporation or small company, you have the power to introduce green practices to your workplace. Just by making small eco-friendly changes in your work day routine, you’ll be reducing your carbon footprint and inspiring your company and co-workers to do the same. Set a good example by using some of the following green office tips.

Decorate with desk plants.

Aside from pictures, desk organizers and paperweights, round out your desk decorations with an office-friendly plant. Plants in the workplace have been linked to increases in employee productivity, performance and mood, according to an article from The Guardian. Also, some plants are able to improve air quality. Low maintenance greenery includes bamboo, snake plants, succulents and cacti.

Find space with natural light.

Rather than scheduling meetings, training sessions or brainstorms in enclosed conference rooms, find a spot in your office with natural light. If the weather is right, take your meeting outdoors and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer! By avoiding enclosed meeting rooms without natural light, you’ll likely be able help control how much energy your office consumes.

Bring a lunch.

Your co-workers might prefer eating lunch offsite at a nearby restaurant. However, it’s not the most energy-efficient option, especially if the trip involves extra driving. Plan to eat lunch in your office throughout the week, either at your desk, in a break room or at a comfy spot outside. Better yet, pack a healthy lunch in reusable or recyclable containers for the work day.

Make your commute green.

No matter what distance you travel to your office, make your trip as green as possible. Commuters who live within a few miles of their workplace should consider walking or biking there. If you’re hesitant to break a sweat in business attire, opt for public transportation. Your city might have a bus, subway or train that’s accessible for daily commutes. Employees with a longer commute might have to settle on driving, but that doesn’t mean the trip can’t be eco-friendly in some way! Create a carpool group with a few people to conserve fuel and decrease the number of cars on the road. In addition, if your company allows it, work from home every so often. This might help you conserve energy and increase productivity.

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