An Eco-Friendly Guide to Working from Home

Your kitchen is the new conference room, your breakfast bar doubles as a standing desk and the sofa has become the perfect breakout area.

Not only has your commute been reduced from 30 minutes to 30 seconds, but the sustainability benefits of working from home are becoming clearer by the week.

While we’re experiencing the more visible reductions in transport and consumption, and the warmer weather means less heating our homes, there a myriad of things we can be doing to further reduce our footprint.

As part of Earth Day, we have gathered together some of our favourite tips for creating an eco-friendly home to accompany your 9-5.

Go paperless

While we’re many of us are living without the office printer, why not go a step further and ditch the notepad for a digital note-making app on your computer, phone or tablet.

Create a green space

littlegreenshed recommends decorating your space with indoor house plants. They help to restore any imbalance in the office environment and purify the air by reducing pollutants, while certain plants, such as succulents, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. They not only look great, but they create a calming environment by actively lowering your cortisol and keeping you relaxed as the emails pile up.

Start composting

Research shows that over half of the waste found in our household bins is food waste. What better time, then, than to check investigate food waste bins with your council, or to start a compost heap in your garden. As more of us spend time at home, household waste is on the rise, so take the challenge today. And don’t forget, you can compost your coffee granules and tea bags too!

Save energy

If you’re making a brew just for you, then only boil as much water as you need. Keep devices on for the time you need them, and make sure you shutdown at night. And we’re not just talking about your brain.

Maximise natural light

Try to situate yourself near a window to keep your body clock regular and enjoy some much-needed Vitamin D. When it is time to turn on the lights, obviously make sure they are Tala LED light bulbs. Lighting accounts for nearly 6% of global CO2 emissions, so a global switch to LED technology could save over 1,400 million tons of CO2 and avoid the construction of 1,250 power stations.

Think about your diet

Going vegetarian, vegan or just eating less red meat is one of the most effective ways you as an individual can help combat the effects of climate change. By going meat-free just one day per week, the reduction in your annual carbon footprint is the equivalent of switching 5 incandescent light bulbs to LED.

Consider redecorating

With so much extra free time at home, many of us are turning our attention to home improvements. Designers Jen and Mariana from Interior Fox recommend decorating with light colours, maximising natural light and reducing the need for artificial lights. LED or not.

Reduce waste

Another great tip from Interior Fox is to unsubscribe from the catalogues and flyers you receive in the post. Not only does it cut down on paper waste, but it also prevents carbon emissions through transport and production.