Easy Ways To Turn Your Home Office Green

You are eager to join in the green movement and are looking to make your home office more environmentally-friendly. Follow these suggestions to be well on your way to a green home office.

(1) Donate your functional used desktop and laptop computers and printers to charitable organizations, such as the Salvation Army, the Goodwill, the United Way or a local homeless shelter. Alternatively, phone your local school board and see if they would like your old computer or printer.

(2) When you are in the market for a new computer, either for personal or business use, strongly consider purchasing a laptop computer instead of a desktop computer. Laptops are more energy-efficient than desktops. Make sure that any new computer, printer, photocopier or scanner you purchase is energy-efficient.

(3) Reduce the amount of papers that you print from your computer. When you do need to utilize your printer, ensure that you are printing on both sides of the paper to help conserve trees.

(4) Convert your home office and personal finances to be as paperless as possible. Call or visit your bank to request an online bank account and request that your bank statements be submitted to you online rather than as traditional paper bills. Call your local telephone, internet and television companies and also request that you pay your bills online and that your service statements be sent to you electronically.

(5) Change all of the light bulbs in your home office from the traditional bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They save much more energy, which will lower your family's electricity bills, and they last ten times longer than regular bulbs.

(6) Remove yourself from junk mails lists. Register your name and information with the relevant local, state or national marketing association to stop receiving junk mail.

(7) Purchase your stocks, mutual funds and other investments with reputable green companies. Environmentally-friendly companies are becoming increasingly popular in the marketplace. You also have the peace of mind knowing that you are investing your money wisely in companies that care about saving the Earth.

(8) Clean your home office (ideally your entire home) with environmentally-friendly household cleaners. Traditional cleaning products are laden with toxic chemicals which are unhealthy for your family and your pets. Many reputable eco-friendly companies are producing lines of green cleaning products, which are becoming more popular. Try to find cleaning supplies that do not list chlorine and bleach as ingredients and that are labeled as biodegradable. Look into making your own simple household cleaners with natural components, including water, vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice.