6 More ways to be green in the office

In response to the GreenED Challenge in this month’s newsletter, Holly from Mt. Washington offered a number of other ways to incorporate green in your life.  She is working hard to be conscious of her environmental impact.  Check out some of her ideas to see if you’re up for adopting any of these tips:

Hi! I often feel like a misfit in Cincinnati, probably because I’m from the opposite corner of the state. I try to be green. Regarding the idea of skipping the straw, here’s what I’ve done at work:

1. To avoid using plastic utensils, I stopped at a yard sale and was lucky to find a perfect set of cheap flatware for $3.00, and that’s what I use now at work. Nothing new had to be made, and I just bring them home to wash.
2. I use washcloths for napkins instead of the paper napkins; same thing, bring them home to wash.
3. I took hand towels from home to work, and use those instead of paper towels when I wash my hands - it feels like you’re at camp first walking to the restroom with a towel, but you get used to it.
4. When I decide to purchase lunch at the Mark Pi’s restaurant in the UC hospital, I take a stainless steel bowl for the food so that i avoid the Styrofoam pack.
5. I recycle at work, even sugar packets and straw papers if I use them; I will take it to heart to be more conscious of not using straws.
6. When i go to lunch, I turn off my lights, monitor, and copier.

At home, I hang my laundry - everything - on a clothesline; I am bottle-free in my shower area by using J.R. Liggett bar shampoo, no conditioner, and locally made bar soap; I recycle at home, and have committed to reduce what comes into my home; I spin my own yarn from wool that I buy from a local Ohio shepherd. There’s more; just thought I’d share.

Thanks Holly - excellent ideas!  How are you doing in your first 30-day GreenED Challenge efforts? If you have more of your own inspiration and experiences, please feel free to leave a comment on the blog or send us an email.