In the present age, more and more people are beginning to care for the environment and are striving to reduce the pollution and garbage. Recycling is becoming mandatory for almost all goods made. This can be seen at the office too, where many materials that are used could be recycled to save money and attract customers as well as do some good to the environment. Some of the recyclable materials are Paper stock, Inks, Mats, and Plants etc.

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The first thing that comes to our mind when we visualize an office is paper. Files, folders, documents, all made of paper. Instead of throwing away all that paper which is used, each office firm can save a lot of trees from getting logged. From the past 25 years, there are paper and cardboard recycling campaigns that have succeeded in convincing almost all firms to follow this practice. Organic paper is cheaper and improves the character of the materials.

Production of traditional ink uses heavy materials and releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) into the atmosphere. Brand new printers use soy-based ink that is durable, dries quickly and have rich colors. This eco-friendly ink is renewable and is made from an organic compound called ethyl lactate, which is the most environment- friendly solvent available. Using soy ink also makes it easier to recycle. Even the plastics and electronic devices available in the offices can be recycled effectively. Eco-friendly devices give a natural feel to the office and even improve the customer numbers and appease the staffs’ stress.

Office chair mats that are used under the desk chair are made of plastic and attract lint. They can be replaced with bamboo mats that look elegant, are eco-friendly and cheaper too! Some bamboo mats are coated with special materials to make it durable, resist scuffs and also prevent fading due to the sunlight. Some are stain resistant too.

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Tiles made of cork can be used in the office to improve the work aesthetics. These are renewable and can be used to improve privacy due to their acoustic properties. They also help in bringing down the noise level from outside, so peace can be maintained in the office. They can also be utilized as bulletin boards. Since these are soft and flexible, they can reduce strain in the muscles of the feet and keep the employees relaxed. They are extremely durable and easy to clean too.

Today’s office environment can require that workers spend a lot of time in front of a computer. The types of repetitive activities involved in operating a desktop computer can lead to muscle strain and possibly serious conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. There are few practical tips to help you be productive without causing yourself injury

1. Regular Breaks

If at all if possible, schedule yourself a ” stretch break” at least once an hour — even if only for a few minutes — and stand up out of your chair, rotate your neck, stretch your arms out full length and bend your torso. If possible, walk around a moment and step outside  now and then for breath of fresh air.

2. Positioning Equipment

Take the time to set up your work station so that your computer is level with your navel to reduce strain on your wrist, elbow and shoulders. Adjust your computer screen so that it is at the optimal distance for your vision and does not have any glare that makes your work hard to see. If necessary, use a pillow to support your back so you are not leaning forward to work at the computer.

3. Changing your Mouse

If you are experiencing physical problems from working long hours at your computer, consider switching to a different mouse. Roller ball type pointers can keep you from having to move the mouse around a pad. There are also mouse devices that can be attached to your fingertips so you can simply tap on any solid surface to send commands.

4. Adjust Your Chair

When you find yourself getting weary at the computer, consider adjusting your chair height or backrest for a while to relieve yourself from being in the same position. Even if it is not entirely comfortable, it can allow your body to relax muscles that have been overused and use some that have been lanquishing.

5. Ease-of-Access

Computers have new ways to access their programs and dictate information and commands. Voice recognition software can be invaluable for big projects that require a lot of writing, that they can also be quite useful for navigating software programs. Touch screen computers also give the operator much more freedom of movement. OLED touch screens are portable enough to be carried around like a notebook and used in any position you desire, so you are not chained to the desk when you could be more productive on the move.

Throughout the average work week we spend around one quarter of our time at the office. That means that if you’re interested in working toward a greener future for this country, your job can be an obstacle that keeps you from pursuing that goal. So why not start working for the environment while also working at your job? With just a few simple steps, some of which can actually increase productivity, you can help make the world a greener place all day, every day.

1. Recycle

It’s simple, effective, and we’ve all known about this for years. Rather than throwing your bottles, paper, and cans in the rubbish, throw them into a recycling bin. Nearly every city in the country has a recycling system that is just as convenient as the trash system, and you can arrange for them to pick it up from your office in much the same way. The only drawback is that in most places they require that you separate papers, plastics, and aluminums, but by just placing three clearly labelled bins next to each other, you can do your sorting instantly.

2. Turn the lights off in unoccupied rooms

Conference rooms, bathrooms, offices — just remember to flip the switch off on your way out. You can also install motion sensors on the light switches so that they’ll turn off automatically, though these can be inconsistent and certainly more costly than turning the switch off by hand.

3. Do away with paper, plastic, and styrofoam plates, cups, and utensils

By simply stocking your office with ceramic dishes, you can save money and the environment. Styrofoam isn’t even biodegradable, let alone recyclable, and paper plates and cups can add huge costs to your budget over the year, not to mention produce an amazing amount of waste. Besides, why drink coffee from a styrofoam cup when you can drink it from your World’s Greatest Boss Mug?

4. Stop drinking bottled water

Though you might lose the sense of personal ownership that comes with having a bottle filled with filtered water, the need is urgent. Recent reports show that the amount of plastic waste generated every year in the UK is estimated to be about 3 million tonnes, with 56% of that being from from packaging, and three-quarters is from households. Any reduce in that amount of waste would do wonders for the environment.

5. Use e-mail whenever possible

Thanks to the information age, we’re able to share ideas with each other without the use of paper. Take advantage of this. And if you’re a fan of printing out your e-mails for posterity, be sure to filter out your unwanted e-mails on the computer first.

6. Encourage working from home or energy-reducing travel

Fuel shortages have become an ever growing concern and by working from home, the UK could save millions litres of petrol every year. The UK’s Energy Saving Trust As fuel prices go up, this could not only help the environment, but help cut costs, especially once workers begin to demand fuel reimbursement be built into their salaries.  If it’s impossible to work from home, encourage energy-saving travel methods like public transport, where necessary, such as buses. A more environmentally friendly option, double-decker buses can carry the same amount of people as 40 cars! They’re also up to seven times safer.