There’s been a growing shift towards sustainability in every aspect of our personal lives. Whether at home or work, finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint has become a focus for many people. This reflects the transport we use, how we power and heat our homes, and now, where we work.
Over the past couple of years, with more opportunities to work from home or choose flexible working, we’ve been able to access and maintain a more environmentally conscious way of living. Having a greener professional life can have a positive effect on your well-being too.
Here, with some insights from the Off-Grid Gas Division at Flogas, we explore how employees can tailor their work life, to boost both their eco-friendly footprint and happiness.
1. Help to reduce the UK’s commuting emissions (18 billion kg of CO2e each year)
In the past couple of years, remote working has become the norm for workers from various different sectors. According to the Office for National Statistics, in April 2020 46.6% of employees engaged in at least some sort of remote working. Specifically, 86% of those people experienced a shift in their working experience due to the unsettling events of that period.
Now, remote and flexible working seem to be the way forward. This move towards a more balanced work-life regime is undoubtedly benefitting the environment. Fewer (or no) travels to the workplace mean reduced emissions from transport. This is particularly good when considering that commuting emits 18 billion kg of CO2e each year, which represents 25% of all transport emissions. If you work from the comfort of your own home, you will not be contributing to these daunting figures.
Therefore, opting for a job that allows you to work from your own studio or kitchen can significantly limit your impact on the planet. What’s more, a more flexible schedule has a positive effect on your overall well-being. No early-morning rush and no after-work traffic jams will cut stress levels considerably. Also, it helps employees juggle their parenting duties and manage their daily routines, therefore boosting their mental health.
2. Change habits and behaviours to cut down on waste at work
It is safe to say that what we do during our workday can have a deep impact on the environment too. In an office, for instance, the average employee tends to go through 10,000 sheets of paper every year. When it comes to food and drink breaks, alongside 500 disposable coffee cups in one year, an impressive 20% to 30% of meal tends to end up in the bin.
There is no hiding that waste is a pressing and recurrent issue in the workplace. But with some tweaks in our habits and behaviour, we can find some simple and effective solutions. Do you really need to print out that document? The digital version might work just fine. Finish your meal during your lunch break or save it for when you feel peckish in the afternoon. Also, bring your own mug or reusable flask for tea and coffee pit-stops.
In truth, waste is not only a space problem. Despite the average landfill of about 600 acres, the true issue is the amount of emissions that waste produces. When broken down, in fact, it releases a gas called methane, which is closely associated with climate change. In 2019 only, landfills in the UK emitted over 14 million metric tonnes of greenhouses gasses. This is an astronomical number which we all contribute to. Therefore, small precautions in the workplace can represent a big step in limiting our own impact on the planet.
3. Make more eco-friendly choices for your home
Shifting to remote or flexible working means, of course, that you will be spending more time indoors. Hence, your energy consumption is bound to increase too. If you work an average of 40 hours per week, for 47 weeks a year, working from home will lead you to spend an extra 78 days inside your house. Throughout the year, and especially during the winter period, you will be using your heating and home appliances way more frequently.
This could become a bit of an eco-challenge as, with an average supplier, your annual home emissions would be about 3.2 tonnes. But if remote working has encouraged you to live permanently in more rural residences, you may want to consider going off-grid. Specifically, off-grid gas options are a great alternative to heat your rural home sustainably. As opposed to off-grid oil, for instance, off-grid gas will help you reduce your emissions by 20%. Ultimately, working remotely in rural locations will drastically decrease your carbon footprint.
Furthermore, you can enjoy all the benefits that come with spending more time in the countryside. From relaxing strolls in the woods to ample space to grow your own fresh produce, rural living has a wide range of benefits to maximise your physical and mental well-being. By accepting a job that offers remote or flexible working, you will have more opportunities to make the most of clean air and green spaces.
To conclude, embracing a greener professional life will bring an array of advantages to both yourself and your surroundings. Are you working remotely? Or are you still carrying out your job in the office? Whatever the answer, there are plenty of opportunities to limit your environmental impact. As a result, you will feel happier and more relaxed too.
