5 Easy Ways to Cut Your Carbon Footprint at the Office

by WiredBerries Editors — August 15, 2007

Many of us eco-conscious individuals have already taken steps to reduce the amount of energy we use at home, but The Climate Group offers surprisingly simple ways to improve our carbon consciousness at work as well. Whether you're a decision-maker or not, you can adapt this information to work on a personal or company-wide level. But keep in mind that even if you're not a CEO, you're valuable suggestions could end up making big changes at your workplace.

• Switch off office lights when not in use--This may seem like a no-brainer, but just think about how many office buildings and shops are lit up round the clock, and consider the empty lighted conference room down the hall.
• Turn off your monitor and unused chargers--For many of us, it would be inconvenient to turn the computer off and on throughout the day, but simply turning off the monitor when not in use reduces the energy required by your computer by about two thirds. Also, unplug chargers when not in use! This is a simple and oft-forgotten way to save energy. Mobile phone and BlackBerry chargers continue to charge (using up to 95 percent of the power) even when no longer attached to the device.
• Be a responsible printer--Much of office printing is unnecessary and a waste of energy and paper resources. Think before you print by considering whether you really need a hard copy. When you do have to print, print only the pages you need, or paste the relevant sections into a Word document and print that instead of the entire document.
• Recycling in the office--good for business and the environment. Providing recycling bins for paper is an obvious measure, but surprisingly a lot of businesses just never get around to it. Sometimes all it takes is a few dedicated employees to lobby for a change. Offices that supply recycling bins for glass, cans, plastic, cardboard, help divert tons of waste from landfills. Not only is going green good for a company's morale and public image, but it can also save money and reduce waste, which is good for the bottom line.
• Weigh your options before "jetting off" for business--Is that business trip really necessary or is there an equally effective alternative? Effective and alternative means of communication, such as video conferencing, now allow face-to-face exchanges without ever having to board a plane. It's also a lot more cost effective.