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Month: January 2011

How to Create an Eco Office in Your Eco Home

How to Create an Eco Office in Your Eco Home

Commuting to work everyday can be a pain at the best of times. But when you’re facing hours stuck in traffic due to bad weather it’s tempting to just stay at home. Avoiding traffic, saving time and being more productive are just a few of the reasons why more and more people are choosing to work from home. The fact that it cuts down on pollution from car emissions is an added bonus too.

If you’re going to work from home you’re going to need a quiet space where you can close the door, avoid the TV and get some work done. Here are some tips on creating your own eco home office:

Eco furniture – You’ll need a sturdy desk to work on; there’s now an abundance of eco tables and desks made from FSC certified wood to choose from. Being FSC certified ensures the wood has been cut from a sustainably managed forest where the trees are replenished and the environmental impact is minimised.

To go with your desk, you could sit on an eco office chair made from sturdy 40% recycled cardboard.

Eco lighting – During the daytime you’ll want to make the most of the natural light. If you can, position your eco desk next to the window. When it’s time to switch on the lights use energy savings light bulbs rather than conventional candescent bulbs. They might be more expensive but can last 12 times longer and offer savings on your energy bills in the long run.

For added illumination, you could use an eco lamp which has an energy efficient LED light and is made from eco friendly materials, such as sustainable wood or recycled plastic.

Recycled paper – Did you know that the average office worker uses 20,000 sheets of paper and businesses throw away 5 million tonnes of paper every year? You can ensure your eco home office is far more environmentally friendly by writing on both sides of every sheet and using paper that’s recycled from junk mail, pulped books and other paper waste.

Eco stationery – For writing on your recycled paper, you can use eco pens made from recycled crisp packets, car parts and old games consoles. You could also store them in a cork pen holder for added eco appeal.

To attach sheets of paper together you can use an eco stapler, which cuts and folds paper together rather than uses staples. If you need to do some sums, why not use a water powered calculator which never needs the batteries replacing.

Reduce the room temperature – If you lower the temperature by just 1ºC it can reduce your heating bill by around 8-10% over the year. So consider wrapping up rather than reaching for the thermostat.

Add some greenery – Plants can absorb noise and remove dust from the air. In studies looking at plants has been found to reduce stress and boost creativity. Having some greenery in the room will also enhance your eco home office’s green credentials and be a reminder that you’re doing your little bit to look after the planet.