10 Ways to Be Green at Work Without Being "That Person"
How to make your workplace kinder to the planet — without annoying your co-workers
Going green at work isn’t just about virtue-signalling (though there’s nothing wrong with that). It’s about saving money, improving health, boosting productivity — and quietly doing your bit for the planet.
Offices that cut energy and waste often pay less on electricity, heating, and disposal bills.
Cleaner spaces, fewer chemicals, and more greenery boost staff wellbeing and focus — which is good for you and your colleagues.
With growing social and environmental awareness, many employees and clients prefer companies with sustainable practices. Green offices can enhance brand image and trust.
So yes — being green is smart. And manageable. You don’t need to wave a flag or change offices overnight. Just a few thoughtful shifts.
1. Ditch the energy vampires — go LED, smart & modest
You don’t have to overhaul the whole building. Small tweaks go a long way.
Start with lighting: swapping old bulbs for LEDs saves a surprising amount of energy. Motion-sensing lights in seldom-used areas (conference rooms, storage, restrooms) do the trick discreetly — no drama, no nagging “please turn off the light.”
Encourage co-workers to unplug computers, chargers, and peripherals when done — even when idle, devices draw “phantom” power.
If you manage or influence office policy: monitor energy use (via bills or “ kWh per square metre “ metrics), and set modest reduction goals. Data helps make the case cleaner than virtue alone.
2. Paper: kill the printer crush — go digital
In many offices, paper use represents a huge chunk of waste. The fix? Go digital wherever possible.
Use cloud docs, shared drives, and digital signatures — fewer printouts, fewer paper jams, less clutter.
If printing is unavoidable — consolidate printing into shared printers, or set default double-sided printing to halve paper consumption.
Bonus: fewer paper piles = less stress. And let’s be real — no one misses that 800-page printer queue at the end of the month. 💼
3. Reuse. Recycle. Reduce. The classic trifecta — but done quietly
You’re not forcing anyone into eco-zealotry. Just make it easier for them to do the right thing.
Place clearly labeled recycling bins in kitchens, common areas, near printers — whatever goes: paper, plastics, cans, maybe even e-waste.
Encourage use of reusable mugs, bottles, cutlery instead of disposable cups/stirrers/plates. Simple habit, big impact.
When ordering office supplies — cartridges, paper, kitchen disposables — choose recycled, compostable or sustainably sourced options.
4. Green commute — without guilt trips
If possible, walk, bike, or use public transport to get to work. Maybe even car-pool with a buddy. It’s healthier, cheaper, and low-key green.
If your role allows — propose hybrid or remote-flex work days. Less commuting = less carbon. And often, more focus.
Office solidarity helps: perhaps encourage a “bike to work” group; suggest secure bike storage; or suggest incentives for public-transport commuters (if you influence policy). Work-friendly. Planet-friendly.
5. Choose better supplies — think long-lasting over disposable
Be selective about what your office buys. Durable, well-made items often outlast cheaper disposables — good for your wallet and the environment.
Skip single-use cups, plastic cutlery, cheap coffee pods. Instead: encourage reusable mugs, bulk coffee supplies, refillable items.
When upgrading or replacing equipment — printers, monitors, furniture — choose energy-efficient models and consider longevity rather than lowest price. It pays off.
6. Clean green — use eco-conscious cleaning & maintenance
That jug of industrial-strength cleaner might shine the floor — but it likely reeks in more than one way.
Switch to green cleaning products: fewer harmful chemicals, fewer health risks, less harmful for wastewater and air quality.
If the office has control over cleaning services — request “green-certified” providers. If not — start small: use refillable soap dispensers, microfiber cloths, and greener solutions in your own space. Subtle. Effective. Low-key.
7. Bring some life — add plants (yes, real plants)
A few well-placed plants can do more than decorate. They clean the air, reduce stress, and turn the office into a friendlier place.
Green walls, potted plants, small desk plants — anything that helps. Plants don’t lecture; they just quietly chill out and improve your air quality.
8. Suggest smarter scheduling — fewer meetings, more thinking
This one takes finesse — but if you can subtly affect scheduling, it helps.
Encourage remote calls for external meetings instead of commuting. Cut down on unnecessary in-person meetings. Fewer people moving from place to place = fewer emissions.
If your office layout allows — adjust HVAC/heating based on occupancy. No use heating an empty room while everyone’s stuck in a stuffy conference hall. Smart thermostats, timed lighting — small background miracles.
9. Plant the seed — start quiet culture change
Being green solo is fine. Being green WITH colleagues? Powerful.
You don’t need to stand on a soapbox. Instead, suggest small changes — a recycling bin here, a reusable mug there. Poll the office (casually) to see willingness for eco-friendly tweaks. Identify what exists already and what’s missing.
If you work somewhere with broader influence — propose a “green team,” or even a monthly green-ideas roundup. It’s not activism. It’s community. And sometimes habits spread better by gentle suggestion than loud rhetoric.
10. Measure success — and let the results do the talking
You don’t need to preach. Let numbers speak.
Track energy use, paper consumption, waste volume, commuting habits — before and after small changes. As one article puts it: “What gets measured gets managed.”
Celebrate small wins. Maybe print usage is down 40 %, or recycling bins fill with paper, cans and plastics. That kind of quiet proof works — especially with management. Convince with data, not guilt.
Also read: How to be More Green and Sustainable at Home
The art of subtle activism 😉
You don’t have to wear a hemp bracelet or tie–dye T-shirt to be green. You just need to care — and be clever. A few light bulbs switched to LED. A mug instead of a plastic cup. A plant on a desk. A reminder to hit “shutdown.”
Make it normal. Make it easy. Don’t lecture. Just do.
Because in the end — the quiet steps often do more than the loud speeches.