Green Living - Office
Many offices are sterile environments that are difficult to green, but can be improved. Here are a few suggestions to help enhance your work environment:
- Many offices don’t recycle and this is a great opportunity to make a positive impact by volunteering as your office recycling coordinator. This way you can educate your co-workers and encourage them to recycle. Hopefully they will pick up a new habit that they can take home with them.
- Use a ceramic mug and/or bring some extra ones in to keep by the coffee machine for people to use for coffee and beverages.
- Utilize the services of a bottled water company so people will be less inclined to buy their own bottled water. Talk about the financial benefits if your company will not pay for it. Each person may contribute $1-$5.00 a month, but that is what they probably spend on bottled water in a day.
- Encourage your office or company to use recycled and chlorine-free paper products.
- Get in the habit of double-sided printing and spread the news.
- If your office used styrofoam or other disposable ware, suggest alternatives or encourage people to bring in extra plates, etc… to keep on hand. Thrift stores and garage sales are great resources for these types of things.
- Share your workspace with plants to help bring oxygen and tranquility to the office environment.
- Encourage the use of toxic-free cleaners. Many companies are open to this idea, especially since many people suffer from allergies and chemical sensitivities. This information will need to be shared, along with the products, with the cleaning staff. They will be happy to reduce their exposure to chemicals as well.
- Start an office wellness program and get yourself and your co-workers moving. Everyone will reap the rewards of improved health and energy.
There are numerous way we can create change in our environment. These suggestions are just the beginning and will get you started on your way. Once you establish the “green” mindset, you will always seek ways to improve. If you have any ideas that you would like to share with others, please email us at: questions@compassionateliving.com.
