While we all want to do our part to support our planet and a sustainable future, the idea of shifting to a completely eco-friendly lifestyle may be a bit daunting for some of us. But did you know there are many small changes we can make to our daily lives that can make a big impact? It’s true!
So, what can we Evergreeners do at home to make a difference? We’ve got your covered with a list of simple changes to help you along your journey to an eco-friendly home office. You might start small and choose one item on the list or decide to tackle them all. Either way, the Evergreen B Corp Committee is here and cheering you on! YOU GOT THIS.
Let’s dive in…
1) Apply the 5 R’s
These are practices we are all familiar with, so we’ll keep this one short and sweet. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle.
For the full breakdown, read about How to Apply the 5 R’s.
2) Get Schooled, Digitally
Did you know each email we send has a carbon footprint? Understanding the impact of your digital endeavors is the first step to working smarter in a virtual role. Analyze your habits to see what changes you can make to your daily online activity to lower your impact. Here’s a great article to help get you schooled up and ready for change.
3) Succulents, orchids, and trees. Oh my!
Adding indoor plants to your office space can help improve the air quality and also boost your mood. Not sure where to start? Check out this list of 20 Best Air-Purifying Plants.
You can also proactively plan and plant deciduous native shade trees by windows on the eastern and western exposures of your home. These will be your first line of defense from solar radiation (sunlight) heating your home in summer months. Rugs, couches, and carpeting are thermal masses that collect heat and continue to release it as your home’s temperature drops slowly. Shade trees can help prevent this, allowing your home to maintain a more manageable temperature for longer and your cooling system to work less. The Portland area has Friends of Trees that can help. Located elsewhere? Do a quick search for tree planting organizations in your area. If your living situation does not allow planting trees, consider purchasing cellulose blackout shades.
Trees and healthy forests are a significant component of carbon capture. As part of Idaho Power’s Heating and Cooling Efficiency program, they offer shade trees to their members. How cool is that? (Pun totally intended) You can find more on the program, including a Q&A discussion, a regionally specific tree list, and a guideline to planting trees and shrubs under utility power lines in their Tree Planning Guide.
4) Grow with the flow
For many of us, working at home means having lunch at home too. Tired of the same old peanut butter and jelly on your pandemic sourdough? Growing your own food is a great eco-friendly option. It’s not too late to plant a round of crops in July and August for a fall harvest. Many of us live in plant hardiness zones 4 through 7. Popular late crops include beans (Zones 3-8), Brussel Sprouts (Zone 3-9), Carrots (Zones 3-5), Corn (Zones 3-8), Cucumbers (Zones 3-8), and Kale (Zones 3-9). If you don’t have a large outdoor space or aren’t into gardening, it’s easy to grow a simple, potted, or counter-top garden too. Growing Indoors 101 can help!
5) Slow Ride, Take it Easy
For Evergreeners working in the field or traveling often, it’s important that we take a few moments to ensure we are doing so efficiently. Regularly checking your vehicle’s tire pressure can save many miles of tread wear and maintain a higher MPG. A car tire loses approximately 1-3 psi per month. Every 1% of pressure loss is about 0.3% in fuel economy. A simple habit that saves money and reduces our carbon emissions.
If you really want to be a hero on the road, go the speed limit! According to the Department of Energy, for EVs and ICEs, a reduction of 5 to 10 mph can improve fuel economy by 7-14%. A 100-mile trip, at five mph less, will only take you an average of 9 more minutes per drive – totally worth it! Enjoy the view of the countryside and have enough time to finish your favorite podcast.
6) Use Eco-Friendly Products
When it comes to the products you use in your office, opt for those that are eco-friendly or, better yet, buy from a fellow B Corp! Do some poking around the B Corp Directory for all kinds of office goodies. A few searches to check out are B Corp Office Supplies, B Corp Cleaning Supplies, and B Corp Housewares and Accessories.