4 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint in the Office

As of 2019, global carbon emissions are at a record high. If you’re still ignoring nature’s warnings to push for sustainability and are not driving others to save the environment, it’s time to take a step back and rethink your actions. Whether you’re an employee or a business owner, you can be a green warrior in the office by practicing these eco-friendly habits:

Watch Your Paper Usage

One way to reduce your waste at work is to switch to a Virtual Printer. According to Record Nations, the average employee uses more than 10,000 sheets of paper each year. The sad part is, 45 percent of it is tossed in the trash daily.


You can set up a Virtual Printer software to digitally save your documents instead of sending files to a printer for output. Such measures give your employees the discretion to choose between printing documents that don’t necessarily have to be on paper. The best part, you can save lots of dollars on overhead costs.

Upgrade Old Equipment

Old equipment is not only inefficient; they also consume more energy than you think. Although you’ll have to shell out money to replace them, you’ll save more on electricity costs in the long run.


To make sure you won’t suffer the same fate when you buy new equipment, upgrade to energy-saving machines, like LED lights. If you don’t want to replace your functional heating and cooling systems, make sure to get a tune-up regularly to keep them running and operating at their best.

Conserve Energy

Let’s be honest: it’s easier to live greener at home than at work. For one, you have full control over your own home. At the office, you have other factors and people to consider.


The simplest way to save energy at the office is to make it a habit to turn off electricity before you leave work. You can also adjust the thermostat by a degree during summer or at night when not many people are around. Some computers even have power management options that you can activate; try turning on the Battery Saver mode whenever you’re idle.


Pro-tip: Make sure to utilize windows in the best ways possible. If you’re yet to build your workplace, remember that the more windows, the better. Shutters allow you to let in more light and keep the hot and/or cold air in. Fewer electricity costs, fewer carbon emissions. A win-win scenario for the business and the environment.

Consider Alternative Transportation

Carbon-emitting vehicles are among the highest contributors to gas emissions on a global scale. Remember the no. 1 rule in office transportation: if you live nearby or a few blocks away, ditch the ride and walk to and from the office. Walking reduces your carbon footprints and also benefits your overall health.

For employees who live farther, consider carpooling with your friends at the office. A company can also support cycling programs, offer electric cars or other fuel-efficient vehicles, or provide buses to accommodate more employees in one go.

Wrapping Up

Being an eco-warrior is not hard if you put in the effort to push for sustainability. From simple actions like recycling used paper to initiatives like investing in Virtual Printers, you can have a say in what the world will be like in the next few years.