The COVID-19 virus changed how many people work. The offices emptied and working from home became an unquestionable norm. A few years have passed and we have undoubtedly entered a new era of what it means to “go to work."Working from home has its benefits; it can can boost productivity and team morale, and promote greater work-life balance. It also happens to be more sustainable than heading into the office, saving time, fuel and money for transportation.
Here are a few ways that you can be more sustainable when working from home:
- Go paperless!
Not everyone’s job allows them to go paperless. However, it can certainly be helpful to take a pause, and think before you print. Going paperless can save millions of trees. This boosts the amount of oxygen available to us in the atmosphere which is always a plus!
- Reduce Vampire Energy
Vampire energy, more formally known as standby power is accumulated through items that are plugged in but are not actively being used. Unplug your devices to save energy and money. This includes things like cellphone and computer chargers, printers, and stereos/smart speakers.
- Decrease Brightness of Computer
This one might seem a little silly at first, but the brighter your screen, the more battery your device is using. Lowering the brightness can help save energy and preserve the battery life of your device in the long run. Turning on auto-brightness lets your phone automatically adjust to your surroundings, which in turn saves energy.
- Choose Green Energy
Minimize your carbon footprint by switching to more eco-friendly appliances. Other options include installing solar panels, hydroelectricity, and small wind electric systems.
- Eat Sustainably
Plan or even prep your lunches for the week. Eating from home vs take-out leads to less single-use plastic consumption, production, and storage. Using Matter products can make meals, snacks, and a coffee breaks quick and easy. Give Matter compostable plates, bowls, hot and cold cups, and utensils a try. No clean-up, no water needed to clean, no waste made when you dispose of them in your compost bin. Using Matter products saves time, and saves the earth’s soil.