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Work, Less Energy
For many people, a computer is the central
tool at work. Optimizing the energy settings
for computers and other devices can be
more than a modest energy saver. Set computers
to energy-saving settings and make sure
to shut them down when you leave for the
day (“standby” settings will
continue to draw power even when not in
use). By plugging hardware into a power
strip with an on/off switch (or a smart
power strip), the whole desktop setup
can be turned off at once (make sure to
power down inkjet printers before killing
the power—they need to seal their
cartridges). Printers, scanners, and other
peripherals that are only used occasionally
can be unplugged until they’re needed.
And of course, turn off lights in spaces
that are unoccupied.
 Digitize
It does seem a bit strange that in the
“digital age” we still consume
enormous amounts of mashed up, bleached
tree pulp, most of which gets used once
or twice and then tossed or recycled (“downcycled,”
as McDonough and Braungart would call
it). The greenest paper is no paper at
all, so keep things digital and dematerialized
whenever possible. The more you do online,
the less you need paper. Keep files on
computers instead of in file cabinets
(this also makes it easier to make offsite
backup copies or take them with you when
you move to a new office). Review documents
onscreen rather than printing them out.
Send emails instead of paper letters.
New software like Greenprint helps eliminate
blank pages from documents before printing
and can also convert to PDF for paperless
document sharing.
 Don’t
Be a Paper Pusher
When buying printer paper, look for recycled
paper with a high percentage of post-consumer
content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching.
Even recycled paper gobbles up a great
deal of energy, water, and chemical resources
in its processing (toxic pulp slurry is
the paper recycling industry’s dirty
secret). When using the real stuff, print
on both sides of the page when appropriate
and use misprints as notepaper. Try to
choose printers and photocopiers that
do double-sided printing. If your office
ships packages, reuse boxes and use shredded
waste paper as packing material.
 Greening
the Commute
American workers spend an average of 47
hours per year commuting through rush
hour traffic. This adds up to 3.7 billion
hours and 23 billion gallons of gas wasted
in traffic each year. We can ease some
of this strain by carpooling, taking public
transit, biking, walking, or a creative
combination thereof. If there’s no
good way to phase out your car, consider
getting a hybrid, electric vehicle, motorcycle,
scooter, or using a car sharing service
like Flexcar or Zipcar. See How to Green
Your Car for more depth on the subject.
Some employers are even giving a bonus
to bike and carpool commuters and special
perks to hybrid drivers. For those who
think bike riding is for kids and tattooed
couriers, consider a high-tech folding
bike or an electrically assisted one (see
below for more).
 Green
Sleeves
You might be amazed how sharp work clothes
from thrift stores can look. If you buy
new, get clothes made with organic or
recycled fibers. Avoid clothes that need
to be dry cleaned, and if they so demand
it, seek out your local "green"
dry cleaner. See How to Go Green: Wardrobe
for more tactics on greening those work
duds.
 Work
From Home
Instant messaging, video conferencing,
and other innovative workflow tools make
effective telecommuting a reality. If
you can telecommute, hold phone conferences,
take online classes, or otherwise work
from home, give it a try. It'll save you
the time you would have spent on the trip
as well as sparing the air. As a bonus,
you get to work in your pajamas. Telecommuting
works for 44 million Americans (not to
mention the TreeHugger staff). Also, consider
the possibility of working four ten-hour
days instead of five eight-hour days (a
consolidated workweek), cutting the energy
and time spent on commuting by 20% and
giving you some lovely three-day weekends.
 Use
Green Materials
Some paper use can't be avoided, so use
recycled paper and envelopes that have
been processed and colored using eco-friendly
methods. Pens and pencils can also be
made of recycled materials, and refillable
pens and markers are preferable to disposable
ones. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled
paper or cloth towels in the bathroom
and kitchen, and provide biodegradable
cleaners for the custodial staff. Buy
in bulk so that shipping and packaging
waste are reduced, and reuse the shipping
boxes. Recycling printer cartridges is
often free, and recycled replacements
are cheaper than new ones.
 Redesign
the Workspace
Greening the space in which you work has
almost limitless possibilities. Start
with good furniture, good lighting, and
good air. Furniture can be manufactured
from recycled materials as well as recyclable.
Herman-Miller and Steelcase are two groundbreaking
companies that have adopted the Cradle-to-Cradle
protocol for many of their office chairs.
Incandescent bulbs can be replaced with
compact fluorescents and there is an ever-growing
selection of high-end LED desk lamps that
use miniscule amounts of energy (see How
to Green Your Lighting). Not only is natural
daylight a free source of lighting for
the office, it has been proven to improve
worker productivity and satisfaction (as
well as boost sales in retail settings).
Workspace air quality is also crucial.
Good ventilation and low-VOC paints and
materials (such as furniture and carpet)
will keep employees healthy (look for
How to Green Your Furniture coming soon).
 Lunch
Time
Bringing lunch to work in reusable containers
is likely the greenest (and healthiest)
way to eat at work. Getting delivery and
takeout almost inevitably ends with a
miniature mountain of packaging waste.
But if you do order delivery, join coworkers
in placing a large order (more efficient
than many separate ones). Also, bring
in a reusable plate, utensils, and napkins.
If you do go out for lunch, try biking
or walking instead of driving.
 Get
Others in on the Act
Share these tips with your colleagues.
Ask your boss to purchase carbon offsets
for corporate travel by car and plane.
Arrange an office carpool or group bike
commute. Trade shifts and job duties so
that you can work four long days instead
of five short ones. Ask the office manager
to get fair trade coffee for the break
room and make sure everyone has a small
recycling bin so that recycling is just
as easy as throwing paper away. Ask everyone
to bring in a mug or glass from home and
keep some handy for visitors so that you
reduce or eliminate use of paper cups.
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