8 WFH Ways to Lessen Your Environmental Footprint
by Mandy Shold
I’ve been working from home since mid-March and, while it took a lot of getting used to, I’m proud to proclaim that I’ve finally gotten the hang of things. Now, I will say it wasn’t easy—the first months were a flurry of technical difficulties, waves of emotions and lack of productivity, and lots of talking to my teammates on mute.
But now, I have a daily routine, I’ve officially mastered my Nespresso machine, and I even have a proper desk and workspace. And most importantly, this newfound daily routine is far more sustainable than the way I was living before—for me and the planet.
During this time where many of us have been working from home, there have been reductions in commuting, traffic and pollution—and our individual carbon footprints have simply shrunk. Since March we’ve cut down on commuting, CO2 and coffee cups—so why not keep up the good work?
Though there’s still some uncertainty around when I’ll be heading back into the office, I for one am determined to keep to the majority of my new eco-friendly habits when I do. Here are the habits I’ll be keeping up from quarantine, and how you can join me in doing the same.
(1) Make your morning coffee
After months of trying our hand as at-home baristas, we can froth, whip and pour coffee with the best of ‘em. Rather than returning to that expensive coffee shop habit, why not invest in a stylish travel mug and bring your coffee with you? Not only will it save you some serious dollars, but you’ll be keeping those cardboard sleeves and plastic straws far away from landfills.
(2) Meal prep your lunch
Similar to embracing your at home morning coffee routine, rely on those newfound cooking skills to cook your own lunch. More and more states are banning plastic or styrofoam meal containers, so you may as well be ahead of the curve. Not to mention, bonus points if you shop seasonally and locally.
(3) Stay paperless
I work in an industry that, six months ago, insisted that printing was a necessary evil. Yet, after months of working from home, I’ve been perfectly fine without printing a thing. In fact, I’m even more organized! As you go back into the office, rely on our increasingly digital skills and don’t fall back into needless printing habits.
(4) Skip the in-person meetings
…when possible, anyway. Coming from a PR agency, we often did in-person meetings with clients just for the sake of quality “face time”—or, more likely, a free meal. Now that everyone’s overly familiar with Zoom, there’s really no excuse. Ditch the unnecessary travel emissions and opt instead for more frequent video calls.
(5) Ask to partially work from home
Maybe you’re like me and you’ve enjoyed working remotely a little too much. As it turns out, cutting your commute each day is equally as good for the planet as it is for your productivity. As you go back to work, try talking to your boss about a flex schedule, or having a certain number of days in the office and set number working from home. And remember, you’ll have six months of great remote experience to lean on as you prove how you’re productive both in and out of the office.
(6) Do more at-home workouts
Just because gyms are re-opening, doesn’t mean you need to join one—or even return to your own after-work routine. More often than not, gyms unnecessarily blast air conditioning, use harmful cleaning chemicals and even offer needless amenities (SoulCycle plastic water bottles, anybody?) Rather than dumping those dumbbells, keep up with the online workouts and outdoor runs, and add in small, locally-run studio classes when you need extra incentive.
(7) Buy less clothing
Chances are, over the past several months, you’ve significantly slowed your spending on things like clothes—outside of a pair of joggers and the inevitable tie-dye sweatshirt. As you go back to work, resist the urge to refresh your wardrobe—nobody remembers what you wore back in March anyway! And if you really do need to pick up a few staples, avoid fast fashion and instead opt for capsule staples from sustainable brands like Everlane. Since you’ve been saving for months, chances are you can afford the higher quality.
(8) Continue to get outside
This is by far the most important piece of environmental advice I can give you. In the last few months, you’ve probably found yourself daydreaming of National Parks, longing for socially-distanced picnics or simply enjoying a walk around the block. It turns out that spending more time outside has actually been linked to making more eco-friendly choices in other areas of your life. Try adding walking meetings to your calendar, eating lunch outside, or even planning team offsites in your local park.
As you head back to work and whatever the “new normal” looks like for you, don’t forget to remember good pal Mother Earth!
Mandy spends her days working in public relations, specializing in sustainability and corporate responsibility - a job which not only fuels her soul but also pays her San Francisco rent. She spends her (virtually nonexistent) free time exploring the Bay Area craft beer scene, working on her rock collection, and wishing her cat would be the big spoon sometimes. For additional sass and details of her life held together by caffeine and dry shampoo, follow her on twitter @WayToRepresent.
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