Simple green office changes:

• Buy only recycled paper for your printer and other paper needs.
• Open the window – windows are actually extremely efficient tools for improving your indoor air quality. You should open them for a little bit each day, even in the winter.
• Refit all office lighting with energy efficient light bulbs.
• Make basic changes like recycling used docs, printing on both sides of the paper, and turning off all computers and lights when you leave the space.

Even better green office changes:

• Make sure all your office furniture is non-toxic and made with sustainable materials or considered used furniture that you refinish with non-toxic paints.
• Recycle all your old gear. It’s easy to recycle ink cartridges, equipment, and more, if you know where to find local facilities.
• Clean with all green and non-toxic cleaners. Ditch the paper towels and use old rags to clean with as well.
• Check out some more extreme green office supplies than simply paper. Pens, pencils, staplers, and more all come in eco-friendly versions now. Visit Green Earth Office Supply for lots o’ green goodies.

The greenest office changes:

• When remodeling an office space aim for the least toxic building and finishing materials available.
• Paint walls with all low or zero VOC paint.
• Buy a green computer.
• Use that home office – work at home when possible to cut down on commuting time.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Green Your Home Office

Don’t print your own emails: This is a biggie. There’s almost no reason to print an email anymore – unless it’s say movie ticket confirmation. All that paper adds up quickly. If you must print, print on both sides of a recycled sheet of paper.

Add a message so that others also don’t print: Plenty of people have little notes at the bottom of their emails that say something along the lines of, “Please consider the environment before printing this email.” Which is a small but significant step you can take to live a little greener. Some people won’t stop to think unless you spell it out for them. That one small message may make the king or queen of email printing rethink his or her actions. See some good ideas for eco-email messages.

Choose the right email provider: Care2 offers free email service that’s loaded with features and for every email you send, Care2 donates to the environment.

Learn more about your email’s possible carbon footprint (no joke).

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Are your emails eco-friendly?

1. Buy a laptop vs. a desk top computer: Desk top computers use a lot more energy and materials in general than laptops.
2. Look for the energy star label: Various computers, printers, and other computer related office equipment now wear the Energy Star label so don’t buy one without it.
3. Buy small: Only buy as much computer as you need. The smaller the better when it comes to eco-friendliness.
4. Turn it off: If you’re not using your computer turn it completely off. Putting it to sleep won’t save as much energy.
5. If you upgrade recycle: You can totally donate or recycle any computer. If you just toss it in the garbage it’s completely irresponsible given all the current recycling options.
6. Go recycled with extras: You can buy recycled or eco–friendly laptop cases, recycled computer paper, and refillable ink cartridges online or even at your basic local office store.
7. Make recycling a rule: When you first set up your computer and work station, also place a paper recycling box next to your desk. If you have a paper bin right there and at the ready, you’re more likely to recycle all that paper.

[image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

7 Ways to Green Your Computer Time

The Nissan NV200:

Pop!

And inside – see you could live here.

So, this isn’t even a new car – I’m slower than slow about cars. Structures I get; cars, um, not so much. People are actually surprised when I can pump my own gas. (I grew up in Oregon). I really just like this car for the livability aspects. However, this is a cool green choice of an automobile, that much I do know. You can read all about it at ZerCustoms.

Better yet, learn all about green cars, trucks, and vans by visiting Eco Friendly Driver. Hilary, who blogs over at Eco Friendly seems to know about these things called breaks, sticks, engines, and safety ratings. Plus of course, she knows about it in a green way (double bonus).

[photos via ZerCustoms]

Post from: Blisstree

Not an offbeat house at all…