How To Reduce Waste In The Home Office

As more of us embrace remote and hybrid work setups, our home offices can start to resemble mini-warehouses of supplies, paperwork and packaging. But fear not! It’s totally possible to create a productive workspace while also being kind to the planet. 

Here are some easy and effective ways to reduce waste in your home office.

8 ways to reduce waste in your home office

Go paperless

First up: let’s talk about paper. It’s easy to fall into the trap of printing out every document, but going paperless can save trees and declutter your space.

This can be as easy as opting out of mailed bank statements or bills, and instead getting them sent to your email or online account. If your work requires you to send your own correspondence, find out if there are ways you can turn that paperless, too!

If you want to go for something a little more all-encompassing, start to use digital tools for note-taking and document management. Apps like Evernote or OneNote let you jot down ideas without needing a single sheet of paper. For documents that need signatures, consider using e-signature platforms like DocuSign. Plus, cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox ensure your files are safe and accessible without taking up physical space — this can be especially helpful if you often work on-the-go and need to access your files from anywhere!

Limit single-use materials

Single-use materials are the enemy of sustainability. From disposable coffee cups to plastic utensils, over time these items contribute significantly to unnecessary waste (not to mention they can be costly!). 

Instead, invest in a good travel mug for your coffee and use real plates and utensils for snacks or meals while working. Even opting for a reusable water bottle instead of bottled water can make a big difference over time. It’s a simple shift, but it can significantly reduce the amount of waste produced in your home office.

Recycle

It’s essential to have clearly labeled recycling bins in your home office, especially if you deal with many kinds of materials or packaging during the day. Make it easy to separate paper, plastics and metals, and familiarize yourself with your local recycling guidelines to ensure you’re recycling correctly. 

You’d be surprised at how much you can recycle — from old ink cartridges to cardboard boxes to electronics and more! Many office supply stores even have take-back programs or discounts for used ink cartridges, so be sure to take advantage of those!

Use printers wisely

If you need to use a printer, be strategic about it. 

Consider printing double-sided to cut your paper use in half, and adjust your printer settings to print in draft mode when quality isn’t critical. 

Before hitting “print,” ask yourself if a digital format might suffice — you might be able to share files through email or collaborative platforms, thus reducing your reliance on printed materials altogether. 

Finally, keep your recycling bin or shredder near your printer so that any pages you do end up discarding go straight to the right place!

Reuse your organizing tools

When it comes to organizing your home office, think about reusing what you already have. 

Instead of purchasing new organizers, look around your home for old ones that are empty or for items that can be repurposed. Old jars can serve as pen holders, and small boxes can organize paper clips or sticky notes. Your creativity is your best friend here! You’ll save money, reduce waste and add a personal touch to your workspace all at the same time

Reuse packaging materials

Have you ever opened a package and thought, “What do I do with this?” Before tossing that bubble wrap, oddly-shaped styrofoam or those squeaky packing peanuts, consider reusing them for another shipment. These weird and unusual materials can be great for protecting items when you’re shipping products, moving or storing fragile belongings. 

If you regularly send and receive shipments, it might be worth keeping a designated area for used packaging materials to give them a second life.

Buy in bulk

Next time you’re stocking up on supplies, consider buying in bulk. Not only does this reduce packaging waste (especially if you order online!), but it often saves you money in the long run. Items like printer paper, pens and even snacks can usually be purchased in larger quantities at a cheaper per-item cost — just make sure you have the space to store them. 

You’ll cut down on the number of trips to the store and significantly reduce the waste associated with multiple smaller packages.

Buy second hand

Lastly, when it comes to furnishing or equipping your home office, think second hand. Thrift stores, online marketplaces and local buy-sell groups are treasure troves for office furniture and supplies. Not only will you find unique pieces that add character to your workspace, but you’ll also be helping to reduce the demand for new products, which often comes with excessive packaging and resource use. Many second-hand or gently used electronics can be bought “refurbished” to indicate they’ve been restored to their factory level of quality, plus they’re usually sold at a significant discount!

Reducing waste in your home office doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With a few small changes — like going paperless, limiting single-use materials and being mindful of your purchasing habits — you can create a workspace that’s both efficient and eco-friendly!

Happy working, and enjoy your greener home office!

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Featured photo by WindowsWindows on Unsplash