5 Ways Telecommuters Aren't Green

Telecommuting provides benefits to the environment that are difficult to ignore. In fact, a survey conducted by Cisco (News - Alert) found employees stopped 47,320 metric tons of greenhouse gases from being released and saved $10.3 million in fuel costs each year by telecommuting. As more businesses embrace offering the option to work from home, employees don’t always remember to keep it green from their home office desk. For telecommuting employees, the following are five simple solutions that are often overlooked.

5. Getting Inked Up

Working outside of the traditional office can add the additional title of Office Supplies Manager. However, workers often neglect easy and obvious ways to recycle such as purchasing refillable printer toner from sites like 123InkJets versus buying a brand new cartridge from the local office supply store. Along the same lines, without anyone looking over their shoulder,  it’s easy to forget simple tricks like printing on both front and back of paper or avoiding printing at all.

4. Plant It

With a more flexible working situation often comes fresh air, but what about freshening up the workstation? A desktop plant certainly looks nice, and people who don’t own one also are missing the benefits of offsetting VOCs and CO2, and improving the quality of air.

3. Freshen Up

Along the same lines, air conditioning can be a major culprit and should be avoided when possible by opening a window for natural ventilation or using a fan if necessary. When the going gets cold, homeowners tend to crank up the heat versus adding layers of clothes. And no matter the temperature, the work area should always be a designated smoke-free environment.

2. Go Au Natural

Opting to use natural light versus electricity is a simple green solution not always adhered to and it can also cut back on personal costs. During the darker days of winter, lighting of course is a must, but don't forget to replace old bulbs with high-efficiency CFL or LED light bulbs.

1. Log Off

A powerful but often overlooked energy saver is turning off the computer, monitors, printers, scanners, shredders, speakers, etc. Workers tend to keep such items on round the clock offering the convenience to check in at any time. In addition to its green benefits, turning off the computer when not in use can also encourage people to be “off work,” ultimately offering the better work/life balance telecommuting provides.

Staying educated on ways to reduce personal global impacts is essential for the home office worker. Following the above simple tips can give environmental enthusiasts a sigh a of relief… with fresher air.

Passionate about flexible work, Chelsea P. Gladden is the Marketing & PR Director for FlexJobs.com, the leading site for part-time, telecommuting and other flexible positions. With an extensive background writing for the web,  Chelsea is also a mother of 5 (yes, 5) and can regularly be found with a mocha in hand at the beach with her husband and kids..