Most of us are pretty diligent about recycling every week. For some of us, the kitchen scraps go to the composter, and glass, plastic and cans are all separated. That's great for the kitchen, but what about the rest of the house? What most don't realize is the home office offers a huge opportunity for eco-friendly living, but largely goes ignored.
Many don't think twice of using high quality non-recycled paper, or tossing ink cartridges and old electronics in the garbage. Leaving a computer on overnight seems innocent enough until you multiply that energy use by millions of households.
The three main home office offenders are energy waste, paper consumption and hazardous waste. Here are some tips to make your home office a little more eco-friendly.
Put your electronics to bed at night. Connect your computer, speakers, fax, printer, etc. to a power bar and turn them all off with the flick of a switch at the end of the day. It's a common misconception that you should leave a computer on all night. There is a peak in the power when you turn it on, but nothing compared to what it uses over a 24 hour period.
Opt for a laptop. Not only do these have the benefit of being portable, laptops consume one-eighth the power of a desktop computer. Imagine if everyone in a household all had their own computers, they still wouldn't use the energy of one bulky desktop.
Go for the flat screen. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or flat screen monitor uses less than half the energy of the traditional CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors. Not to mention that they are easier to read, lighter and cause less eye strain.
Reuse & recycle. I had a friend who used to save any of her junk mail that was still in good condition and when doing simple printing jobs, she would use the blank side of those pages. It was such a simple concept that made so much sense, and worked great for those quick map or recipe print outs.
Save and reuse paper clips, elastics and push pins, and use rechargeable batteries and refillable toner cartridges.
For your garbage paper, keep a recycling bin next to your desk for handy use. Keep another bin nearby for expired rechargeable batteries, old inkjet and toner cartridges, or electronics. Once you have a collection built up, take them back to any Staples Business Depot for recycling.
Dead batteries should be saved and dropped off at your local waste depot for safe disposal. That corrosive acid they contain will seep out into the environment if left in a landfill site.
When buying paper, read the labels. What most people don't realize is that much of the paper we use every day comes from old-growth forests. When you read the labels on the packages, look for: 100% recycled ( your 1st choice); or minimum FFC certification, which means the paper was made from trees grown in a sustainably managed forest.
Switch to fluorescent bulbs. A fluorescent bulb uses 2/3 less energy than a common incandescent bulb. When you add up all the bulbs in the house, that energy savings translates into saved dollars!
It may sound crazy, but it is possible for your home or office to be making you sick. If you find that you are continually feeling ill while you are in your house or even when you are at your office, it could be an indicator of a serious problem. Many of us spend most of our day indoors and that can lead to serious health problems based on our location. Try stepping out doors when you feel ill inside and see if it makes a difference.
There are many ways that your home or your office can contribute to health problems. The leading culprit is a lack of proper ventilation. These types of environments are built to keep out noise and pollution. They are also sealed tightly to prevent cold air from escaping in the summer and cold air from getting in during the winter months. The types of paint in the home or office, cleaning supplies used, and the furniture located in the area can all contribute to health problems.
The air in any location should be circulated a minimum of ten times each day. If this isn't happening then pollutants in the air tend to build up. You will need to start taking a close look at what is taking place if you find you get ill when you are in a specific location. Check the vents to make sure air is moving through them properly. You should also open windows to help get the air moving.
Make sure you check your home attic and basement for adequate circulation of air as well. This is a common problem in older homes and you may need to contact a professional to help resolve the situation.
Mold and mildew can be found in many areas of your home or office, and they can lead to serious health issues. Look for signs that you have a leak in your basement or in the walls. They may be associated with the bathroom or kitchen sinks as well. If the humidity levels are high then mold and mildew are able to grow rapidly.
Carefully select the cleaning supplies you use for your home or your office. Never mix any of them together as it can create a chemical reaction that is very powerful. Make sure the area you are cleaning has plenty of ventilation. If you feel dizzy or ill after using any cleaning supplies move outside where you can get fresh air.
If you are concerned about making a room smell fresh, use some safer products. You can place vanilla or essential oils onto a cotton ball. Place this in a plastic or glass container and let it sit for a while. You can also use baking soda or vinegar to naturally remove odors without having to use any harsh chemicals. Dried potpourri or flowers smell great and they make a nice decorating accessory as well.
Some common symptoms that your home our your office are making you ill include dizziness, nausea, headaches, and tiredness. Make sure you don't ignore these issues and find out what is going on. Your health is too important to not investigate the underlying causes of such symptoms.
Both Matt Barker & Salihu Ibrahim are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Matt Barker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Public Relations, Marriage and Bathroom Home Improvement. This article was written on behalf of Saint Paul Real Estate, an established RE/MAX agency serving the market. Let their experience. Matt Barker's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Salihu Ibrahim has sinced written about articles on various topics from Apply for Credit Card, AutoResponders and Home Management. Salihu Ibrahim provides more articles on at his website. Salihu Ibrahim's top article generates over 22200 views. to your Favourites.