Creating a Green Workspace

Toting your groceries home in reusable bags and buying produce from the local farmers market is not enough to provide a greener environment. Just like there are things we can do in our personal life to keep our carbon footprint at a minimum, there are things we can do with our work life as well. Creating a green space to work isn't as hard as it may sound. And many companies have stepped up to the plate by creating office products, furniture, and accessories that are eco-friendly options for the office.

Eco-friendly seating. Before you buy a host of new chairs for your office, be sure to check out Steelcase's Think Chair. It's made of 41% recycled materials and is 99% recyclable when it is old, worn out, and no longer in use. It's also ergonomic with its adjustable headrest, lumbar position, three reclining positions and adjustable arms.

It's gone to the desks. Companies like EcoWork and Dirtt offer organic shaped and durable surface office furniture and cubicle systems to choose from. EcoWork has over 240 products, allowing a company to create a customized workspace to fit its needs and the needs of its employees-all while being friendly to the Earth the key to these companies and their eco-friendly furniture is the fact its made from sustainable products like rubber, plastic or recycled newsprint, cardboard fiber or core.

Toners, clipboards and pens-oh my! One man's junk is another man's treasure definitely holds true today when old and unused products become new works of art. Motherboard, for example, is a company that turns old computer motherboards and circuit boards into usable products like clipboards, binders, mousepads and other office supplies. The Green Office is a supplier of green products for every aspect of the office from the toner that goes in the printer to the coffee that employees drink in the break room. And while you may have the preconceived notion that buying these Earth-friendly products are more expensive, it's not. The cost is comparable, but the eco-friendliness is priceless.

Recycle. Especially if you are a high paper producing company and you just can't seem to go electronic (law firms and doctor's offices are probably the most guilty culprits), then the very least you can do is recycle. Hire a recycle company who brings a paper recycle receptacle to your office and comes to empty it as often as you need. Send back your empty ink toner cartridges so they can be filled with new ink and resold. Buy re-filled ink toner cartridges instead of brand new ones.

Do your part. Contrary to belief, every little bit does count.