Looking to take more steps towards being more mindful at the workplace but not sure where to start? Practicing being an environmentally conscious consumer may seem like a puzzle which is why it’s best to start from the workplace where you would spend eight (8) hours of your day.
This article will cover things you can do to limit your carbon footprint in your working space and save money in the process! Check out these simple tips below:
- Reduce Your Single-Use
While single-use plastic products (SUPP) may seem convenient, when accumulated, they are one of the biggest polluters in the world. According to the United Nations, the majority of plastic used in packaging are disposable and are often discarded of in one manufacturing period, leading to an increase amount of plastic garbage.
As a consumer, you can opt to limit the waste by using reusable items such as reusable bags, own coffee mug, water bottles or the use of reusable straws/decomposable straws will be sure to make a difference in your everyday consumption. If you are going to take away food, consider bring your own food container to be used.
While these actions seem minimal, even the smallest steps can lead to meaningful impact.
- Minimize Paper Consumption
Think before you print! As easy as it is to print that document, consider if you really need more paper on your desk or the document can be scanned. When you do need to print, duplexing which means copying images on both sides of the paper can save up to 50% of paper costs by setting it to the default.
If there are unused paper / documents that have expired, put it aside to be used as paper for additional notes on work or recycled at the nearest recycling centres closest to you.
- Limit Your Digital Carbon Footprint
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Digital pollution amounts to four (4) percent of the world’s global greenhouse gas emissions, as it stems from building, delivering and using digital pollution. According to Unicef, simple ways to minimize your digital footprint in the office can include:
- Keep your devices longer instead of changing them every few years.
- Reduce energy consumption of devices, unplug devices from the power outlet chargers when not in use.
- Reduce use of emails by unsubscribing to unnecessary newsletters and using links to online files instead of attaching documents to emails to reduce the size of emails.
- Clean up our files and apps regularly by clearing files you will never use again
- Be more conscious during online meetings by minimising the video feature as it will reduce the bandwidth use, ultimately reducing the use of energy.
- During the day, default your devices to energy-saving mode after 10-15 minutes of inactivity.
- Avoid Short Car Trips
Public transport or shared transport will certainly help to reduce emissions. If the location is close enough, walking or cycling can reduce air pollution. The more the merrier, as this will encourage a shift in the way town planners develop towns or cities.
- Think Before You Buy
Consider the importance of the item before you buy it and if it will be used in the future. Will the item address a need or solve a problem? Shopping generates a lot of greenhouse gas emissions and if not recycled or used mindfully, will contribute to landfill. Practice quality over quantity by buying high quality and long-lasting items so you can reduce how often you will need to replace the item.
While sustainability may seem like just a hype or trending phenomenon, consumer demand is changing globally and regionally. According to the Voice of the Consumer Survey 2024: Asia Pacific (PwC), half of Asia Pacific consumers are changing their purchasing habits to mitigate climate change, while 40% are being more mindful of their overall consumption.
As this demand continues to grow, we see the importance of encouraging one another to reconsider our everyday habits at the workplace and home. With mutual collaboration and consistent awareness to become kinder to the Earth all of us live in, we are slowly paving the way for ourselves to be kinder to one another. Join us in taking the steps to protect the Earth by protecting our wallet first with tips on how to spend responsibly!
If you are interested in doing more for your sustainability journey, check out how your sustainable future could turn out by visiting our site.
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