When making our lifestyle more environmentally friendly, a lot of attention is given to homes. Because people spend much of their time at work, greening an office is often just as important. Taking the time to save energy and use less resources at work will go a long way to protecting the environment.

Computer Energy Efficiency: Computers are a main fixture in every business and corporation. Business computers can waste more than one billion dollars worth of electricity a year. Cut down on energy use by turning off the computer at the end of business day. Throughout the work day, set your computer on sleep during short breaks and while you are at lunch. Employers should purchase energy-saving computers, monitors, and printers. Donate old computers to charity organizations. This will reduce the number of computers entering a landfill.

Air Quality: Make sure your ventilation system is working properly. This will result in less energy use and cleaner air.

Carpet and Paint: Purchase paint and carpet that do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which produce toxic chemicals

Lights: Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Buy energy star-rated light bulbs and fixtures. They use about two-thirds less energy than regular light bulbs. Install timers to shut off lights.

Paper: Try to reduce the amount of paper that you use. Whenever possible, post manuals and other policies online. Print on both sides of the paper and use the other side of old documents for faxes and scribble paper. When possible, print in black. Make it a policy to only purchase recycled paper. There are a variety of earth friendly paper products available which are made from either bamboo, hemp, organic, or cotton materials. Recycle ink cartridges and toner and only buy remanufactured products.

Recycle: Place recycling containers throughout the office. This will drastically cut down on the amount of paper and plastics going into landfills.

Use Green Products: There are a number of eco-friendly office products available. A few items include envelopes and papers, pens, toilet paper, paper towels, refillable pens and markers, biodegradable soaps, and biodegradable cleaners.

Reusable Kitchenware: Employers can make it a policy that only reusable dishes, silverware, and glasses are allowed. Switch to filtered water to reduce the use of bottled water.

Green Office Furniture: Purchase environmentally friendly desks, chairs, cabinets, and other furniture. Eco-friendly manufacturers are now providing a host of green office furniture. This type of furniture is made from sustainable harvested wood. For instance, furniture made from bamboo helps sustain forests because bamboo grows quickly. They are also made from recycled materials. There are industries that use recycled material in the manufacturing of steel, recycled soda bottles in chairs, as well as upholstery fabrics made from recycled soda bottles.

Traditional manufacturing processes create emissions of volatile organic compounds from glues, stains, and finishes. Eco-friendly manufacturing does not create toxic emissions. Refurbished furniture is becoming a very popular choice because they significantly reduce the amount of office furniture going into landfills Eco-friendly constructed office furniture are made with materials that do not give off toxins or strong odors. A few of these eco friendly materials include glues, paints, and foams.

We are now living in a time where both indoor and outdoor pollutants are affecting every part of our lives. Because we spend so much time at the office, toxins and chemicals in the air can greatly increase the risk of such health conditions as cancer, asthma, allergies, and respiratory illnesses. Chemicals may also end up in the environment where they contaminate groundwater and soil and harm plant and animal life. Greening the office is a great way to improve your health and protect the environment. Businesses will have happier and more productive employees.