One of the beautiful things about working from home is that you can keep most of your work online. Virtual files don’t have to be printed, paper isn’t necessary for brainstorming, etc. It seems like an eco-friendly office should be simple to implement. But what I’ve found is that you can be more eco-friendly, even without buying anything new.
- Reuse paper – I always print on the other side of paper when I have to print. This allows me to use the paper more than once. And I use 100% recycled paper.
- Avoid paper cups – I have a travel mug and ceramic mugs on my desk most of the time. Okay, sometimes I forget to bring a cup with me to Starbucks, but most of the time, I remember my reusable mug.
- Turn off your electronics – While it might be easier to leave everything on, to ensure you’re ready to roll when you’re ready to write, turning things off or at least putting them in Hibernate mode is going to conserve the most energy.
- Use what you have – It’s always tempting (for me, especially) to buy new things for your office. Instead, try looking at what you already have and use that first before you buy something new.
- Use Cloud Storage Methods – Instead of keeping paper copies of your files, try using storage online – i.e. Mozy Pro, your email box, etc.
We live in a time when there are more eco-friendly office supplies than ever, but I try to focus more on using what I have and bringing in more environmentally friendly items as needed. I’d be interested in knowing others’ eco tips, or if this is an important topic for freelancers right now.
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