Employment Spot

Working Green in the Office

Depending on the culture in your workplace, there may be an emphasis on “going green.” With the issue of global warming at the forefront of discussion and news, many workplaces are instituting policies and practices to minimize their impact on the environment. There are many different ways that employees can contribute to this effort. Helping to reduce, reuse and recycle in the workplace can not only help the environment, it can help you land a big promotion. With employers focused on helping the environment, they want their employees to fall in line and may be more likely to promote people who support these greener policies. Read and follow this list to see ways that will help you to “work green.”

• Recycle! – This practice is probably the easiest way to reduce your daily impact on the environment. Take the time to carry your aluminum can to the recycling bin, rather than dumping it in the trash can at your desk.
  
• Drink from a water bottle – Rather than using one of the disposable water bottles that you only use once, invest in a durable and reusable water bottle. This switch will help to conserve plastic and reduce waste. Try and get a water bottle with the company logo on it.
  
• Use less paper – Try to avoid printing pages in the workplace. With the abundance of online information it should be easier to use less paper. However, many employees prefer to read from printed materials. If you can email a handout instead of passing it out in a meeting, do so. Plus, your company will save on printing costs, an added bonus.
  
• Carpool – Send out an email or post a local map so that employees can arrange carpool when possible. Not only will this effort save everyone money as the costs of commuting increase, your supervisor will be impressed at the teamwork you exhibit.
  
• Walk to lunch – Too many employees hop in their cars at the beginning of their lunch hour. Avoid the stress of lunchtime traffic and add some exercise to your daily regimen as you and some coworkers walk to a nearby lunch spot.
  
• Buy a hybrid – Some companies are actually rewarding their employees for buying a new car, as long as it is a hybrid vehicle. Check with your company about any existing programs that reward you for doing something to help the planet.
  
• Bring your own mug – Rather than purchasing coffee each morning in a disposable cardboard or plastic cup, take your favorite mug into the local coffee joint. This could help each employee to save hundreds of paper cups per year. Also, use your favorite mug to get coffee in the office instead of using disposable Styrofoam or paper cups.
  
• Use energy saver mode – When you leave at the end of the day, always put your computer to sleep or shut it down. Computers can use lots of energy if left on all night, regardless of whether they are used or not.
  
• Volunteer – Everyone needs an occasional break from work and many supervisors like to host office bonding activities. Rather than pay to attend a retreat or expensive after hours event, encourage your office mates to volunteer. Clean up a local waterway or park before having a picnic with your fellow employees. Events like these help the environment
  
• Turn off the lights – Many office buildings leave the lights on in the restrooms or common areas all night whether the building is in use or not. Encourage the facilities team to turn off the lights and help save costs and energy.
  
• Bring the outdoors indoors – Do some research at a local garden center to find out which small plants could survive inside on a desk with little or no natural light. If you sit near a window, you may have more options. Plants remove toxins and pollutants in the air, making your workspace easier to breathe in. Plus, showing a little green on your desk will indicate to your supervisor that you’re serious about the earth and the environment.