Take These Seven Steps To Make Your Office Desk Greener

The conversation around environmental conservation is gaining more and more foothold into the mainstream culture. With Greta Thurberg, climate change finally assumed a position important enough to be part of not only international news but also everyday, household conversation. But mere conversations are not enough, it is equally crucial to make environment-friendly choices. Every decision that we make for ourselves, and our families, contributes either positively or negatively to the environment that we live in. A large part of the time that we spend is at our workplaces. Most hours of the day, we’re planted at our desk in our offices. Which is why our offices and our desks should be places that reflect our choices. If we want to lead an eco-friendly life, then we must also bring that to the office. Here are seven simple ways to make your office desk greener!

Make Your Office Desk Greener

The easiest and most visually appealing way to go green is to keep plants on your office desk. Plenty of indoor plants don’t need much care. Such plants can be perfect for your office desk. Plants not only boost one’s mood but also look really beautiful. They can brighten up any boring old desk in a matter of seconds.

Use Recyclable Pens

Many people still use use-and-throw pens. These pens are made of plastic, and we throw so many of them in the garbage. Switching to recyclable pens, and only buying refills, instead of more pens, is a much better alternative. You could even start a trend – and have everyone in the office use recyclable pens. That way, the carbon footprint of your office can be brought down in one single stroke.

The easiest and most visually appealing way to go green is to keep plants on your office desk. Plenty of indoor plants don’t need much care. Such plants can be perfect for your office desk.

Get A Reusable Bottle

If you’re someone who walks up to the water cooler, uses a disposable cup every time and then throws it – that has to change. Getting a refillable water bottle and setting it up on your desk makes your office desk greener. This way, you don’t end up throwing tons and tons of plastic or paper cups away. Drinking water is a great and healthy habit, but don’t do it at the cost of the environment. Invest in a water bottle and stay hydrated. Or go a step further and get either a clay or a glass water bottle, which are the more eco-friendly options.

READ ALSO: Ways To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint 

Go Digital

There’s no way to make your office desk greener if you’re still using loads of paper. In today’s digital age, it is really easy to replace all that paper. A lot of stuff can just be e-mailed over, or sent to a drive that everyone has access to. Look for ways to eliminate the use of paper, as much as possible. This is important especially in situations where the same copy of a document must be given to the whole team, or the entire office.

Eco-Friendly Paper

It’s difficult to go digital completely. You still need paper for certain things. Make your office desk greener by using environment-friendly paper. Get some chlorine-free paper, which is less harmful to the environment. Better yet, look for more sustainable options, like paper made from bamboo or organic cotton.

Look for ways to eliminate the use of paper, as much as possible. This is important especially in situations where the same copy of a document must be given to the whole team, or the entire office.

Organic Snacks

Every office desk is with its share of snacks shoved into drawers for when hunger pangs come knocking. Make your office desk greener by switching to organic, or vegan alternatives for snacks and even beverages. Look for tea or coffee that’s free from artificial flavouring. This is not only good for the environment but also for your health. Search for companies that promote sustainability, and who do not mistreat their workers.

Unplug Devices

Most people have some electrical device plugged around their desk, like a desk lamp or a printer. But even when these devices are not in use, they’re often left plugged in. Make it a habit to unplug your devices, even your phone charger, when you’re not using them. Plugged-in devices consume unnecessary energy, and if you want to make your office desk greener, you unplug the plug.

Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam on Unsplash

READ ALSO: Switch To Sustainable Menstruation 

Prapti is an intern at SheThePeople.TV