Running an Environmentally Friendly Home Office - 5 Quick Tips
By Celina Lucas
As a small business owner, you're often pushed for time and cash flow can be tight. With all the things you have to do, running an environmentally friendly home office might seem to be yet another task you don't have the time, energy and money for. But you'd be surprised how easy it is to implement a few small steps that will make your office greener, a more pleasant place to work and crucially, can also save you money. Having an environmental and ethics policy can really show your business in a positive light and can certainly be used in your marketing materials and on your website. Try these quick tips to do your bit for the planet:
1. Recycle everything. Buy yourself a recycling tidy bag with separate compartments and put it by your desk. Buy recycled paper products. Don't print things needlessly - there's certainly no need to print out most emails. You can also recycle your printer and toner cartridges, sometimes in exchange for cash. Check your local council's website for details on recycling policy in your area.
2. If you can, rearrange your office to make the most of the natural light available. You'll save on electricity bills and it's psychologically better for you. If you work in an office with very little natural light, make sure you go outside for some fresh air at least once or twice a day.
3. Reduce the amount of junk mail coming through your letterbox by signing up to the Mail Preference Service. Put the junk mail you do receive to good use by using it as scrap paper, packaging padding and so forth. Make sure you shred it first if using it as packaging, particularly if it has your name and address on it.
4. If you're the only one at home during working hours, only heat the room that you're using as an office. You can save even more on your heating bills by putting on warmer clothing and make sure you move about once in a while: it can get very cold sitting in one position for hours (not to mention bad for your back). I have been known to sit at my desk with a hot water bottle on my lap! (NB. Don't take it to extremes - if you're unable to type without wearing fingerless gloves, your office is too cold...)
5. Switch your gas and electricity providers to 'green' energy providers who use environmentally friendly methods of energy production, such as wind turbine farms. However, these green tariffs can be more expensive so this step may depend on your cash flow. Make sure your home office is well insulated (thick curtains, carpet, draft excluders, even things like cavity wall insulation if you want to take it this far).
However, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your business and you don't have time for a cup of tea, let alone worry about implementing an environmental policy at the moment, don't despair. As a home-worker, you're already doing more than most for the environment. By working from home, you're no longer adding to your carbon footprint by commuting so anything you can do on top of that is a bonus.
Celina Lucas owns Office Alchemy, a virtual assistance business providing administrative, secretarial and creative support to a variety of small businesses, sole traders and entrepreneurs. Celina has over 15 years experience as an executive assistant, office manager and secretary and is also a published author. She regularly contributes articles to online sites on a variety of topics of interest to small business owners. Contact Office Alchemy at info@officealchemy.co.uk for a free, no-obligation consultation or visit the website at http://www.officealchemy.co.uk
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