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Earth Day and Greener Living: Tips for an Eco-conscious Workspace
April 10, 2024
Individuals are increasingly looking to make sustainable changes to their everyday routines to move toward greener living year-round. If that sounds like you, the question might be where to begin.
How about Earth Day? Celebrated globally on April 22 each year, Earth Day brings together individuals passionate about environmental protection to help raise awareness on the topic.
Not sure which products can make your home and office more eco-conscious? No worries. This article showcases a collection of products with greener features to help get you down a greener path.
Keep it Clean
Cleaning products can be a great place to start when it comes to being more eco-conscious. Make your impact with soaps that are safer for the environment. Naturally derived formulas or formulas that use less harsh chemicals are the way to go for greener cleaning.
Think about the downstream effects, too — these products are safer for waterways and wildlife. Plus, many environmentally conscious cleaning products come in recyclable or reusable packaging, reducing waste. It’s all about making conscious choices that benefit our environment. Let’s clean our homes, offices, and planet one sustainable product at a time.
Clear as Day
Keep windows, glassware, and other surfaces clean using cleaners formulated with plant-based ingredients. Consider opting for paper products like tissues and paper towels that contain recycled content.
Beyond just the ingredients, you can look for products that come in eco-conscious packaging, like biodegradable containers or refillable bottles. This approach can help reduce plastic waste significantly.
Start the Morning Right
Something is soothing about starting the morning with a fresh cup of 100% certified organic coffee or tea. When you choose USDA Certified Organic coffee, it meets Federal guidelines that limit the use of pesticides and other chemicals. For greener value, serve in a reusable mug or tumbler, or use hot cups made from renewable resources.
Also consider choosing fair-trade products and supporting sustainable farming practices globally. If you’re a fan of milk or cream in your drink, explore plant-based alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk, which may have a lower environmental footprint. Finally, don’t forget to recycle or compost your coffee grounds and tea leaves — they make excellent natural fertilizers for your garden!
Again & Again
Daily use of a reusable lunch bag or water bottle can help reduce excess waste. Consider incorporating other reusable items like cloth napkins, washable straws and food storage containers. These small changes in your daily routine can significantly cut down on single-use plastics and disposables. Embrace the mantra of “reduce, reuse, recycle” in your daily life, starting with your lunch and beverage habits for a more sustainable future.
Make Note of This
A couple of sticky notes here and a few pages of meeting notes there, and you realize just how often you take notes and jot things down. You might as well take these notes using products that have greener attributes.
Consider using more eco-conscious office products with eco-attributes and eco-labels to help reduce your environmental impact. You can find recycled printer paper or recycled writing pads, or even eco-concious tape and mailing labels. You can also look for writing supplies such as markers or pens made from recycled materials, or opt for refillable options.
Even small choices like these can help make a big difference in reducing your environmental footprint, one note at a time.
Print Greener
Print your documents and lab-quality photos on paper that has recycled content. Try the automatic two-sided printing function and use remanufactured ink cartridges, which help prevent waste in landfills. You can even find ink and toner that has eco-conscious attributes.
Be mindful of disposing your empty ink and toner cartridges; consider using Office Depot’s Ink & Toner Cartridge Recycling program. By adopting these greener printing practices, you can help reduce your ecological footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Save Your Energy
Use technology designed to help save energy. Features like standby mode help conserve electricity when you’re not using the device. There’s no point in expending energy that isn’t needed.
Additionally, consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances which can help decrease your energy consumption. And don't forget about simple actions like unplugging chargers when not in use and maximizing natural light during the day. These small habits may add up to significant energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint.