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.
One day, you will be able to transport and access gigabytes of data in a
matter of seconds with the help of 
