Being sustainable isn’t a choice anymore, it’s a necessity. In fact, 96% of respondents in the Bayt.com “Green Workplaces in the Middle East and North Africa” poll, August say it is important for them to “go green” in their lifestyle. A further 80% say that environmental issues concern them to a large extent. This overwhelming attitude to going green must be followed up with appropriate action. Luckily, all of us have the ability to live sustainably. Often, it’s the little, daily efforts that make all the difference. Since we spend most of our day at work, it’s the best place to start being eco-friendly. Here are some tips to be eco-friendly at work, backed with statistics from the Bayt.com “Green Workplaces in the Middle East and North Africa” poll:
In the digital era, paper usage can be kept to a minimum. Nowadays, computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. are mediums through which you can write down your thoughts, emails, documents, contracts, and everything else. You can even take these tablets to client meetings, instead of printing out pages and pages of documents. If using paper is an absolute must, then you can advise your management to invest in a double sided-printer, with recyclable, eco-friendly cartridges. You could even recycle used paper like 66% of professionals in the MENA, as per the Bayt.com “Green Workplaces in the Middle East and North Africa” poll.
Four in 10 professionals drive to work daily. Driving cars uses up our energy sources, and causes pollution and noise. There are few things I hate more than rush hour traffic! Why not opt for an alternative travelling option? Examples are public transport, mini-bus services and car-pooling. You can read a book, meditate or just sleep while going to work, and thus reduce driving stress. If your workplace is not very far off, and if weather permits, consider walking or cycling to work. This way you can stay fit and benefit the environment! When it comes to travelling abroad for meetings, you could always consider using video conferencing technologies instead.
Food is our fuel. It is our sustenance during a long day at work. Therefore, we need to make the right choices towards it. The best option is to pack lunch from home, using a re-usable container. This is eco-friendly, inexpensive and healthy! If you don’t have time, get all your colleagues together and order lunch from one restaurant. This is a three-fold strategy; carbon emissions are reduced as there is only one delivery, it is less expensive (delivery fee is split on many), but also this way ensures that less packaging is involved.
Conserving energy is really not that difficult. It just requires being mindful. For starters, you could put your computer on sleep mode when not in use, or shut it down before leaving office.58% of MENA professionals follow this strategy and it has helped their companies save on energy. Another mental check is ensuring that all power switches are off when idle. During the day, let natural light in – both to get your daily dose of vitamin D and to reduce electricity usage. Check with your management whether they use eco-friendly light bulbs, and if not, suggest that they do. According to the Bayt.com “Green Workplaces in the Middle East and North Africa” poll, 71% of professionals in the MENA say their company uses energy-efficient lighting in their office.
Certain items such as mugs, lunch boxes, card board boxes, folders/files, paper, plastic bags, etc. can be used over and over again, so make sure that you don’t throw them away. Check with your office admin if the cleaning products used are eco-friendly. If not, do an internet search and advocate some eco-friendly brands. You could even take a small plant to the office to keep at your desk. Plants cleanse the air and are nice to look at. 77% of MENA professionals re-use items at work either sometimes or all the time, as per the Bayt.com “Green Workplaces in the Middle East and North Africa” poll, so don’t be the exception! Photo credit: Magda Wojtyra on Flickr
