Many people spend more time in their office each day than in any other space. That makes it a great place to start making eco-friendly choices. Here are seven ways to make each day a little greener without affecting productivity.

1. Develop an Eco-Friendly System 

Just like you use a step-by-step system for certificate lifecycle management, you also want an organized and dedicated process for keeping things more eco-friendly in your office. First, start by performing an honest assessment of your existing practices. This will help you choose which areas need the most work and which changes will provide the largest payoff. From there, you can take steps to develop and implement those new best practices.

2. Make Recycling Easy

The easier it is for people to recycle, the more likely they are to comply. For most offices, that means keeping a paper bin near the copier, dedicated recycling bins in break rooms or common areas, and providing options for recycling used technology items.

If your office doesn't currently have these features in place, explore how to get them started. It may require an initial personal investment; however, with some advocacy, you may be able to convince the company to invest in more green practices.

3. Pack Your Lunch

If you want a simple change that provides numerous benefits, you may not have to look any further than the office refrigerator. Packing your lunch is a simple yet effective way to make your workday more eco-friendly. Using reusable containers and utensils also helps cut back on plastic waste and wrappers.

In addition to being a solid environmental move, packing lunch can save you substantial money. On top of that, it makes it much easier to make healthy choices instead of splurging on a last-minute craving.

4. Maintain Digital Files

There is little reason for a modern office to work on paper files, so now is a great time to switch things up and go digital. Even if your company is still at the "What is a customer data platform?" stage, you can still work to take your work online.

Start by digitizing old files. Specialized software makes this easy and ensures you will be able to access and modify files later on. It's also good to encourage collaboration among coworkers through shared drives and files.

5. Rethink Your Commute

It is quite common for workers to have a daily commute of an hour or more. Unfortunately, even when it is necessary, this commute can have serious negative consequences on the environment. Luckily, there are ways that you can make it a little more eco-friendly without sacrificing time or comfort.

For starters, talk to coworkers to see if there is any interest in starting a vanpool arrangement. You can drastically cut back on driven miles, gas consumption, and parking costs by sharing a vehicle. In addition, mass transit offers similar benefits if it is available in your area. Finally, if none of these is an option, you might consider exploring electric or hybrid vehicles for your daily trip to the office.

6. Take Advantage of Natural Light

The next time you sit at your desk, take stock of how the room is lit. If you have windows, make the most of their natural light by choosing blinds or sheer curtains. Swapping light bulbs for energy-efficient LEDs can save electricity use and money. With the correct bulbs, it may also help reduce eye strain.

7. Power Off Tech Devices

It is common practice to put tech devices like computers, tablets, and smart boards into sleep mode when you are not using them. However, shutting them down entirely is a more environmentally conscious choice. It completely cuts power to the system, so it isn't drawing electricity. Adding surge protectors further eliminates phantom power consumption.

There are many ways to make your office routine more environmentally friendly. Packing lunch, moving files to collaborative workspaces, and rethinking your commute are a few ideas to help you get started.