How to Make Your Workspace More Green

Whether you work at home or in an office, you probably use a lot of technology, but you might also use a lot

of paper. If you're one of the many people seeking to find ways to be more green and environmentally friendly in the workplace, then kudos to you. Going green in the workplace can save a lot of money and can make a big impact on the environment. If you've already switched to energy-efficient light bulbs and use email more often than written memos, you might be running out of ideas, but there are many more ways you can work toward a green space for work. Just a few small changes can make a big impact on your budget and on the environment.

Change Which Devices You Use
A big way to go green is to eliminate paper in your office. Many offices and businesses are going paperless, and there are ways you can contribute to this as well. Instead of printing out documents to read them, consider using an e-Reader instead. Many e-Readers are easily compatible with various programs for reading documents, spreadsheets, and forms. You can also use e-Readers to highlight passages, make comments, make notes, and transfer documents electronically from device to device. If you frequently use PDF documents, for example, opening them on an e-reader instead of printing them out gives you the same ability to make notes and highlight things without using all of the paper, ink, and electricity that comes with printing pages and pages of information. Another benefit of e-Readers is that they allow you to save various versions of documents, and then move them to mobile storage drives, or email them to other people, making work more efficient at the same time as you make it paperless.
There are many ways to go green in your office, and making some small changes is a great way to start. Using electronic devices instead of paper can make a huge impact on your budget, and on the environment; and forming the habit of using less electricity is a great way to contribute to a healthier planet. Commit to making a few small changes in your work habits, and you can feel great about your contribution to the green workspace movement.

Cut Your Power Usage

You're probably already familiar with surge protectors and energy-efficient light bulbs, but you can also take some easy steps to use a little less power in your office, at home or at work. If you use a desktop computer, make sure you shut it down every day before you leave work. This seems obvious, but it can make a difference. If you use a laptop computer, consider unplugging it when it has a charge and working from the battery as often as you can. Other devices around the office often stay plugged in and turned on even when you aren't using them. Think about turning off your printer if you don't use it every day, and only use lamps that are in the places you need them rather than lighting your whole room. Consider only plugging in and turning on devices when you're actively using them. Even if they require a little extra time to turn on, it can make a difference if you only use your printer once or twice a week, but used to leave it on twenty-four hours a day. At the end of each work day, turn off all devices and turn off all the lights, no matter what. An extra bonus to this is that turning on devices each morning can make you feel like your work day has officially begun, giving you a great start-up routine each day.