Make Your Mark    

Here’s my list of how I stay green at the office and I welcome more ideas in the comments box below.

1. I’m posting this list for transparency.
2. I specialize in working for clients that are adding something positive to the world, whether they are non-profits, community organizations, or social entrepreneurs.
3. I work at home half the time which eliminates some driving to work.
4. I try to use my bicycle for transportation when weather and situations permit. (I could stand to do this more.)
5. I focus my marketing on a very small radius so that client meetings will involve minimal travel. If far away, we meet by phone.
6. I drive the most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive (AWD) car I could find. (Unfortunately AWD isn’t that efficient but I need it for my street.)
7. I choose local events or webinars over ones that require travel.
8. I carpool or travel by train to necessary distant events.
9. I use only energy-efficient compact flourescent light bulbs in the office and in most of the house. (This made a surprising difference in my electric bill.)
10. I only turn on lights when light from windows is not enough.
11. I use an Energy Star rated computer and have it set to go to “hibernate” mode if I leave it idle too long.
12. During heating season, I lower it to 55° overnight and when I’m out.
13. I have thermal windows and good insulation that keep the heat bills quite low.
14. I have low-flow plumbing fixtures and fix even minor leaks right away.
15. I only have outdoor plants that can survive on rain water and organic fertilizer.
16. I track utility costs on a spreadsheet which provides a natural challenge for me to reduce usage each month.
17. I keep the curtains closed during heat waves which usually keeps the place cool enough without air conditioning. (If it’s really hot, I work somewhere else.)
18. On my website, I offer an easy way to save a PDF, as an alternative to printing.
19. I receive and pay most of my bills electronically.
20. On the rare occasion when I print something, I use recycled paper.
21. I reduce, reuse, and recycle whenever possible. I don’t expect recycling to be enough to help the planet.
22. When I need something new for the office, I look for used items before buying new.
23. I don’t use garbage pick-up so that I am forced into the hassle of hauling any trash and recycling I create.
24. I never toss paper until I’ve used the blank side for scratch paper.
25. I compost shredded paper and all food scraps. (Did you know food scraps in the landfill create greenhouse gases? – Time)
26. When I get mail I don’t want, I call and ask them to take me off the list.
27. I use all-natural cleaning products.
28. I stay updated on how to reduce my carbon footprint even further and try to incorporate new ideas as often as possible.

There’s a misconception that greening one’s business is expensive but most of it saves money.

I’m frugal by nature which just so happens to help the environment much of the time. I realize though that sometimes you have to invest in energy-efficient upgrades but they always pay off in the long run.

For ideas and practical reasons to green your organization, see related post.