It’s no secret that remote work and eco-friendly home offices play a crucial role in creating a greener, more sustainable future. A 2023 study by Cornell and Microsoft found that remote workers can have a 54% lower carbon footprint compared to onsite workers. This reduction is attributed to factors like decreased energy usage, elimination of commuting, and reduced waste. Notably, lifestyle choices and working arrangements had the most significant effect in determining the positive impact of remote workers.
Are you ready to contribute to sustainability initiatives from the comfort of your home office? In today’s professional landscape, it’s not just big corporations that can make a difference in eco-friendly workplace practices. Remote workers also have the power to create environmentally conscious workspaces.
Here are some tips for creating an eco-friendly home office that enhances your impact as a remote worker.
1. Choose the Right Location for Your Home Office
Picking a suitable space for eco-friendly home offices starts with considering energy efficiency. A good space includes plenty of natural light to reduce the need for artificial lighting. This will ultimately save on energy costs and promote a sustainable work environment.
Make sure the office is conveniently located near your kitchen to make going out for lunch less tempting. If your office is set back from the main dining area, a few essentials like a mini-fridge and coffee maker can power your space at a fraction of the energy usage of an onsite office.
2. Recycle and Reuse
Start your home office recycling program by adding a recycling bin to your remote workspace. Research local recycling services and create a list of what can and can’t be recycled. Less typical recyclables include cell phone or laptop batteries and ink cartridges. For items you cannot recycle, think creatively about how to reuse and repurpose them. For example, you can upcycle old filing cabinets to create a bookshelf for your next virtual book club.
If you’re considering new furniture for your home office, think twice before purchasing. Consider thrifting used furniture instead. Reducing the amount of new items you buy goes a long way in reducing landfill waste. Buying used furniture is an excellent way to find many timeless and vintage pieces to give your office a distinctive style.
When choosing artwork for your eco-friendly home office, support local artists before running to your nearest mass-produced decor outlet. One-of-a-kind pieces elevate professional spaces. Helping small businesses also benefits the environment and the local economy. It’s time to escape the beige cubicle era of professional life and start designing spaces with creativity and intention. Sustainability is a win for people and the planet!
3. Plant Seeds for the Future
A simple tip for creating eco-friendly home offices is adding a few plants to promote oxygen flow and naturally reduce carbon emissions. Plants not only enhance your space environmentally but also offer mental health benefits, improve focus, and support better air quality.
Remember, sustainability is the harmony of humans and their surroundings. We’re doing good for ourselves and the planet by creating wellness-centered home offices.
Get inspired by some of the best plants for your home office. These bright and cheery additions are low-maintenance, require minimal care, and thrive in low-light conditions.
English Ivy
English ivy thrives in medium-light conditions with average water requirements. This plant adds a timeless, sophisticated look to any space. It grows quickly and can be incorporated into your decor by wrapping the ivy around sculptures, art pieces, or furniture.
Philodendron
Philodendron prefers natural light but can do well in low-light areas. It needs regular moisture, but a self-watering pot or a few ice cubes can easily save the day. The bright, glossy leaves will light up any remote work environment.
Spider Plants
Spider plants grow quickly and bring positive energy to your office. They thrive in warm, humid spaces with indirect sunlight and minimal drafts. They require very little care and will survive independently when you need some hard-earned PTO.
4. Plan Your Office Hours and Make Sure Your Appliances Clock Out
Conserving energy starts with small, consistent actions. We may be used to turning off appliances when we leave the house, but with flexible working hours and busy schedules, home offices are often overlooked. Set healthy habits for yourself and the environment by implementing a structured “opening and closing” routine. This helps empower you to stick to a healthy and sustainable work-life balance. Planning your office hours and having an end-of-day ritual is a great reminder to conserve energy.
So start by shutting off all lights, including desk lamps. Consider using a timer for your office lighting to ensure lights are off during the sunniest parts of the day and after hours. A timer for AC units, space heaters, and responsible thermostat settings can further reduce energy usage.
Experts recommend keeping the thermostat between 68-70°F in the winter and 78-85°F in the summer. If you’re not using your office, turn off any extra heaters or fans when leaving or taking a lunch break. Lastly, power down your computer, turn off any electric kettles or coffee makers and close the blinds to retain optimal temperatures before ending the workday.
To conserve energy during the day, experts recommend setting your computer to sleep mode after a certain period of inactivity. This is especially helpful on meeting-packed days when you’re in and out of the office.
5. Go Paperless
One of the many benefits of remote work is the reduced need to print documents. Many home offices have committed to going completely paperless. Ditch the printer and invest in migrating your printed materials online instead. Utilize calendar apps, digital planners, and cloud-based storage for documents. This approach enhances security, protects sensitive data, and reduces your carbon footprint, creating a more efficient, eco-friendly home office.
6. Invest in Eco-Friendly Appliances
Now is the perfect time to build an eco-friendly home office. Start small with energy-efficient lighting and then assess what other appliances could benefit from an upgrade. Consider energy-efficient dehumidifiers, air purifiers, mini-fridges, computers, and electronics. ENERGY STAR-labeled computers use an average of 30-65% less energy. significantly reducing overall energy consumption.
If you’re self-employed or have a side hustle, many energy improvements can be written off later to offset the initial investment. Depending on national or state regulations, solar panels and home improvements may also qualify for tax rebates. Best of all, most energy-efficient appliances will pay for themselves within the first year.
The more remote workers who create sustainable home offices, the greater the impact on building a brighter, more sustainable future. Read more about fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.