Eco-friendly Advice For Workers

For many of us, printing, emailing, scanning, and commuting are a part of our daily work routine. We use computers, printers, fax machines, telephones, and cars every day. Such technologies are great in that they help us work more efficiently, however, they also use a lot of electricity. Listed below are four simple ways to reduce energy usage in your office and save money while doing it!

Use Remanufactured Ink and Toner

Let's be honest: perhaps the largest office expense is printer cartridges. If your office does a lot of printing, these small cartridges run out of ink quickly and, before you know it, you must go to the store to purchase more for 30 dollars a pop. Now, there's a better, more affordable way.

Remanufactured ink and toner cartridges are half the price of store-bought cartridges and work just as well. Empty cartridges can be recycled, refurbished, and then refilled with new printer ink. This is the remanufacturing process. Using remanufactured ink and toner not only lowers your office expenses, but also helps protect the environment from harmful pollutants!

Use an Eco-Friendly Printer

Another great way to become an eco-friendly office worker is to use less paper. This can be done by only printing files that you really need. Most documents can be sufficiently read or reviewed electronically. If you take a lot of notes during the day, consider taking notes or writing lists on your computer instead of on post-its. These easy steps will save paper, help the planet, and lower office costs.

If you must print a document, be sure to select an Energy Star qualified printer with a two-sided printing option. This will cut your paper usage in half. Also, use recycled paper in your office that is made with 100 percent post-consumer content.

Use an Alternate Means of Transportation

This is often easier said than done, but using a different means of transportation to and from your office is a great way to help the environment. You can ride to work with a colleague, take the bus, ride a bike, or even telecommute. Using a more eco-friendly means of transportation saves gas money and significantly reduces our dependence on fossil fuels.

Use Less Electricity

If you don't already, turn off your computer when you go home for the day. If you have a three hour afternoon meeting, set your computer to standy-by mode to save energy. Many office printers also have a sleep mode.


Another way to save energy is to use Compact Florescent Light Bulbs rather than traditional light bulbs. CFLs use 70 percent less energy and last ten times longer!

Talk to your colleagues about setting the office warmer in the summer and a colder in the winter. For each degree that is warmer in the summer or colder in the winter, you'll save seven percent in energy costs.

And lastly, reduce unnecessary trash in your office. Stop using styrofoam cups, and ask everyone to bring his or her own coffee mug or water glass with them to refill at work.