Greening Your Life: At Work

"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestioned ability of a man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor."

--Henry David Thoreau

Though at times going green may seem like an overwhelming task, making a conscious effort to add small environmentally friendly steps in your life can be easier and less daunting than looking at the larger picture. The following tips offer easy, fun ways to green your workplace, which can mean a lighter ecological footprint, and a healthier and more productive place to work.

• If your copier, printer of fax machines have a sleep or stand-by mode. make sure it is selected. From the sleep mode, it will automatically wake up when you go to use it.
• When using the photocopier at work, always make two-sided copies. If your printer also has a double-sided feature, use it.
• If your office provides disposable cups for beverages, eliminate the need for them by bringing in extra glasses and mugs from home. Post a note in the lunch/break room requesting that your coworkers do the same.
• Lights should be turned off in unoccupied conference rooms and offices. If you walk by an empty conference room, switch the light off. Turn lights off in your own office when you'll be gone for more than ten minutes.
• Always distribute documents created on the computer via e-mails instead of via hard copy when is professional and acceptable to do so.
• Use suppliers that will take back their hazardous, recyclable or reusable products at the end of their life for proper disposal, recycling or remanufacturing.

The video below also offers some very informative tips and lessons for greening your office life. Don't keep it to yourself though, share it with your coworkers!