green is universal

By Zem Joaquin, ecofabulous.com

You might spend a lot of time in an office or cubicle, but that doesn't mean it can't become your own little eco-oasis! So roll up your sleeves, put yourself on deadline, and take some simple steps that will not only reduce your carbon footprint significantly but will create a healthier and more productive work environment.

For starters, did you know that according to the EPA more than $3 Billion dollars is wasted annually in electricity for office machines left running when not in use? A great way to immediately assist in reducing your impact is to plug all of your computer and electronic devices into a Power Strip that you can turn off every night with the flick of a switch. Plug in your PC speakers, iPod charger, cell phone charger, scanner etc. Investigate which devices are the biggest energy hogs with Kill-a-Watt. It's true that sometimes your monitor and computer need to stay running, but there is no longer an excuse to be like-minded with your appliances and waste time being 'idle.' I am very excited about the new CO2 Saver which you can download for free, just click here! CO2 Saver is a lightweight application that adjusts your power settings on your computer, hard drive and monitor to consume less electricity when not actively in use. The tool bar displays how many pounds of CO2 you are responsible for keeping out of the environment and will display your individual as well as collective impact.

Small steps can truly add up to impressive results! Take for example the move to using a staple-less stapler - we would save 120 tons of steel if every office worker used one less staple a day for a year (that's about the equivalent of 25 SUV's!) My office started using this gadget and it works well when we have to use paper, which we try to avoid unless absolutely necessary. In the words of Rob Schneider from Saturday Night Live, "Making Copies" is now becoming somewhat out of favor as we can now PDF our doc's and distribute them electronically. The average office worker uses approximately 10,000 sheets of copy paper each year which translates to a lot of trees! If you MUST print, use 100% post consumer recycled paper, available at most office supply stores or "tree-free paper". For your binders, folders and other supply needs, check out the Office Depot Green Book or online catalog and refuse the monster book that they typically distribute.

Another office instrument that I find particularly thrilling is the biodegradable pen where you can exercise that "green" thumb of yours and actually plant it! But you definitely don't have to be a gardener to pick up a few small plants to keep in your office.

Plants have been referred to as "nature's clean air machines" and studies have shown that plants notably improve the quality of the air by effectively removing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide among other pollutants from the atmosphere. The common English Ivy, Heartleafed Philodendron or Green Spider plants are three that been named as some of the most efficient air cleaners that prosper indoors with low light and don't require too much water.

Water, however, is a something that humans should all remember to drink plenty of! Being a good hydra-tor is a wonderful feeling but an even better feeling is practicing this without contributing to the incredible amount of plastic used to bottle it. Approximately 2.7 billion tons of plastic is used each year for bottling water and 86% of it ends up in landfill and will never fully biodegrade (I won't even go into the harmful effects of plastic on your health and the environment today!) but, a great way to quench your thirst and your style is tote a Sigg bottle. They're made with 100% recyclable aluminum and are coated with a highly elastic safe finish. They have a beautiful vast collection of colors and styles to suit your personality, (or personalities as the case may be!) Of course this is just a start and there many things that you can continue to do on your quest to green your work space.

Don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave your eco-office and pick a copy of the September issue of House and Garden Magazine - the eco-chic column has some excellent additional tips and product recommendations.

Zem Joaquin
ecofabulous.com