Green Your Office: It's Not About Redecorating

A green office is not about redecorating. It won't involve a trip to the hardware store to buy a gallon of olive-colored paint. It's about redirecting your every day bad-for-the-environment habits to eco-friendly and sustainable ones.

Whether your work environment is a home office, or a 2,000-employee corporation, you can decrease your impact on the environment by greening your office. Office buildings use 198 billion kWh of site electricity (electricity consumed within the building) each year. Lighting and office equipment uses the majority of this electricity.

Five Tips to Green Your Office

Here are five simple tips to green your office. Don't be overwhelmed. Take one at a time to make a difference in your office.

1. Let the Sun Shine In

Although we can't work in the dark, we can do better by using free, natural lighting, reducing unnecessary use of lighting, and using energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures.

Change energy usage habits. When leaving your office for longer than 15 minutes, turn off the lights. When the sun is shining, open the blinds to let the natural light in. Natural light is better for your eyes and the environment.

Make it a habit to purchase Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least two-thirds less energy than regular lighting. Although the initial investment may be more, let your boss know that they last longer, thus decreasing energy use and lowering your electricity bill.

2. Green Your Computer

Office computers unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year. While we can't work without our computers, we can change how we use them.

When not in use, always turn off your monitor and computer. To cut energy usage by 70 percent, set your computer to sleep automatically during short breaks. Big computer myth-screen savers don't save energy!

Need new office equipment? Consider a notebook or one of the energy-efficient desktops, monitors and/or printers. Don't forget to recycle your old computers. Donate to a charitable organization, or locate a responsible recycler in your state.

3. Cut Paper Output & Recycle

Did you know the average U.S. office worker uses 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year?

Think twice before printing. Ask yourself: could this be stored or read online? Post employee manuals, memos, newsletters online rather than generating print copies. Print on both sides, such as for drafts or faxes. Or use the unused back pages for notes or scraps. Invest in lighter stock or recycled paper.

You can recycle almost everything your company collects from paper to envelopes to junk mail. Ask your building's lease office if they already offer this service, or look for an independent recycling firm. Place recycling bins in high-traffic areas.

4. Green Your Office Supplies

It's easier than ever before to select recycled, environmentally friendly and sustainable office supplies.

More and more stores, such as Green Earth Office Supply and The Green Office, only offer green supplies to their inventory. Or ask your local supplier what green options they offer. Big box stores, like Office Max and Staples, also carry 100% post consumer recycled paper and other green office supplies.

5. Turn on the Green Light in Your Office Kitchen

Change your kitchen habits. Invest in reusable plates, cups, and utensils. Ask your co-workers to each bring these items from home, especially a coffee mug. Or ask your boss if you could use petty cash to purchase second-hand items at a yard sale or local Goodwill.

Small Steps Make a Difference

Don't wait for someone else to take the green bull by the horns. It only takes one person to turn your office green, and why can't that be you? Speak with your supervisor and ask if you can take on the project. Create a team to lead the company's eco-efforts. Inform suppliers and customers about your efforts. Contact local regulatory agencies, as many offer financial incentives to businesses that go green. Not only is it a good thing for the environment, but the "green" leader designation will look good on your resume.

Finally, always remember the 3 R's: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse. If you keep these in mind, you'll think green and turn your workplace into a green office.