Practicing Sustainability at your home workplace
With so many of us now working remotely due to a global pandemic, green home offices are a new environmental goal that we can improve on!
Did you know that working remotely already decreases our carbon footprint because we no longer need to commute to and from the office?
This is great news! There are many more opportunities to be green at home. Below are some sustainability tips for your remote workplace.
Did you know that working remotely already decreases our carbon footprint because we no longer need to commute to and from the office?
This is great news! There are many more opportunities to be green at home. Below are some sustainability tips for your remote workplace.
remote home office: sustainability tips
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Lower Device Brightness
Electronic devices use up more energy when the brightness levels are high. This is why your phone's brightness automatically decreases to the lowest option when your battery runs low. Reducing the brightness of your screens can save up to 20% of the energy your device uses, and prevent eye strain.
Lower Device Brightness
Electronic devices use up more energy when the brightness levels are high. This is why your phone's brightness automatically decreases to the lowest option when your battery runs low. Reducing the brightness of your screens can save up to 20% of the energy your device uses, and prevent eye strain.
Use Eco-Friendly Stationery
Bamboo stationery is a sustainable option because it is both recyclable and biodegradable. Recycled pens made of cardboard are also great options to reduce plastic waste. If you can, go paperless with a tablet! Rentals are available through the library at Cal Poly Humboldt.
Seek Natural Lighting
Take advantage of natural lighting during the day by opening your blinds, tying up your curtains, and turning off your overhead lights. This can help avoid additional electrical expenses and decrease your household's carbon footprint.
Compost & Recycle at Home
Food that rots at landfills produce methane, which is "a gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide" (Humboldt WRRAP). Composting is a practice that reduces global warming while simultaneously recycles your food waste into plant food!
For composting instructions by Humboldt WRRAP, click here.
Food that rots at landfills produce methane, which is "a gas with 21 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide" (Humboldt WRRAP). Composting is a practice that reduces global warming while simultaneously recycles your food waste into plant food!
For composting instructions by Humboldt WRRAP, click here.
Reduce Energy Usage at Peak Hours
Peak energy usage often occurs between 4pm-9pm, when energy consumption is constrained due to high demand.
Avoid using large household appliances during this time such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc.
These practices can also save you money by signing up for time-of-use electricity rates. Time-based plans can be found here on PG&E's website and other ways to save on electricity can be found here.
Self-Assess Your Carbon Footprint
Determine your carbon footprint with a few questions on the EPA website by inputting your household information, energy bills, transportation usage, and waste production. To make this process easier, see Conduct Routine Home Waste Audits and Know How to Read Your Energy Bill below.
Determine your carbon footprint with a few questions on the EPA website by inputting your household information, energy bills, transportation usage, and waste production. To make this process easier, see Conduct Routine Home Waste Audits and Know How to Read Your Energy Bill below.
Conduct Routine Home Waste Audits
Collect your waste patterns with regularly conducted home waste audits to identify your waste habits and see if any improvements/adjustments can be made in three easy steps:
- Set a timeline for how long you want to track your waste. Since garbage is collected weekly, a seven-day audit is appropriate.
- Set up a space in your household to organize your waste output. Avoid setting up outdoors as wind and other natural factors can create messes. Organize by recyclables, e-waste, nonrecyclables, etc.
- Make a categorized list of waste audited (i.e. type of waste, description of waste, and quantity). This can be done on paper or Excel.
Learn How to Read Your Energy Bill
This document provides a step-by-step explanation of your energy bill contents.
Use PG&E's Rate Comparison Tool
Reducing your energy usage can be rewarding. Depending on your household's electricity usage habits, you can save money by switching to plans like the Time-of-Use plan (avoiding peak hours) or Home Charging (if you have an electric vehicle).
To access PG&E's Rate Comparison Tool and view more plans that fit your needs, click here.
Conduct Home Energy Audits
Become more aware of the items in your household that are using power and how much energy is really being used.
To download a user-friendly home energy audit tool with instructions, click here.
Become more aware of the items in your household that are using power and how much energy is really being used.
To download a user-friendly home energy audit tool with instructions, click here.
For more information, contact Hester Aw at [email protected]