Go Greener in 2010

Published December 27, 2009

Whether running a business from the basement or using a desk and computer to look for a job, anyone can make a home office more environmentally responsible by following a few simple tips.

Large corporations regularly conduct energy audits and institute full-scale recycling programs to become "greener" organizations, but those who work in home offices can help the environment by taking smaller and more manageable steps. In fact, the work-at-home set is greener from the get-go, says home-based marketing consultant Alexandra Golaszewska in Jenkintown, Pa.

"You aren't commuting to get to work, and you're using fewer resources by maintaining one location instead of two," she says.

For those wanting to make their domicile's work space as environmentally friendly as possible, Adrienne Spahr, founder of Green Living Consulting in Washington, D.C., suggests concentrating on three specific activities: reduce waste, save energy and improve air quality. "Replace home office supplies with recycled or post-consumer waste content and make sure you have a recycle bin for office paper," she says. "Set your computer to 'hibernate' after 10 minutes of inactivity and shut it [and all the other electronics] down every night to save energy and reduce carbon emissions. Also avoid buying office furniture, paint and carpeting contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds, like methane and formaldehyde) and use non-toxic cleaning supplies"

Cassie Walker, founder of TheSustainableOffice.com and author of The Green Office Handbook, advises keeping a few plants around one's workspace to help the air cleaner. "Some varieties, like dracaenas, philodendrons and golden pothos are particularly good at the task," she says.

Where using natural light isn't an option, Lisa Kanarek, a Dallas-based home office expert and founder of the Web site workingnaked.com, suggests replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents. "They're more expensive than the traditional lamps but they last longer and save energy," she says. Look for efficient Energy Star-rated electronic products whenever possible and use a laptop computer, which consumes far less power than a desktop PC and monitor.

Home-office workers can further help conserve energy by turning the thermostat down in the winter and keep things warmer in the summer, says Nancy Settle-Murphy, president of the management consulting company Vital Insights in Boxborough, Mass. "Avoid cranking up the heat unnecessarily by dressing in layers or by using a small radiant heater, which heats your body directly and efficiently, rather than heating the entire room around you," she says. "Instead of running the A/C, try opening windows or placing fans around the room and keep hydrated." She suggests using a programmable thermostat and set the heat to 68 degrees or below during the chilly weather and the A/C to 76 degrees or above in warmer weather.

One of the most basic ways home-office workers can reduce waste is to print documents only when absolutely necessary and to buy recycled ink cartridges or refill them by hand. Sharon Williams, who provides administrative and marketing support through her home business The 24-Hour Secretary in Randallstown, Md., suggests saving paper by using both sides of a page for faxes, scrap paper or drafts and to send clients and acquaintances electronic greeting cards instead of the printed variety. Jessica Duce, Vice President of Fluff Your Stuff Interior ReDesign in Omaha, Neb. advises home office proprietors use an external hard drive instead of printing hard copies for archiving purposes. Store ultra-important files on a portable hard drive that can be secured in a fire safe or safety deposit box.

In the spirit of "reuse/recycle," Katherine DalPra, owner of Green Diva, an eco-conscious bridal and jewelry boutique in St. Clair Shores, Mich. advises choosing used office equipment to both save money and reduce the energy consumed in shipping and manufacturing. Scour the classifieds and local shops for used desks, lighting and other equipment, she says. "And inventory every room in your house to identify furnishings and supplies that are not in use or even packed away that can find new life in your office."

Finally, marketing consultant Golaszewska advises home office proprietors consider ways to save resources by taking their workspaces off the traditional power grid altogether. "An easy thing most people can do is to check with their electricity providers on the availability of wind credits," she says. "I buy 100 percent wind power. My electricity supplier allows customers to buy blocks of wind power for set prices and it probably adds about $10 a month to my bill."

- Written By Jim Gorzelany