A Guide to Saving the World (Even for the Lazy)
Being lazy is no longer an excuse. Find the right tips for you and save the world from the comfort of your couch!
Download the guide HERE.
Ecological office, how to do it?
You can start on your way to work. Instead of a comfortable, but less environmentally friendly car, you can change to public transport or use a shared scooter. If you want to combine the pleasant with the useful, the ideal choice is your own or a shared bike. Or choose the oldest mode of transport – walking! And if you just can’t give up your car, think about whether you can drive your neighbours or colleagues who have the same route to work, or if you can join someone.
If your office is located on a higher floor, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Why? You will burn 0.11 kcal per step and also improve your fitness.
Plants will definitely help you feel good in the office where you spend a significant part of the day. Firstly, they beautify the space, contribute to the mental and physical well-being of employees, and they also have a practical function, purifying the air. The most effective cleaners are considered to be, for example, fern, figs, palm, dragon tree or snake plant.
If you start the day with coffee or tea, a favourite mug or keep cup will be a great helper. Do not throw away waste coffee, it is a great fertilizer! If your drinking regimen consists of flavoured sugary drinks, try replacing them with plain water. Its quality is regularly checked and you can get it practically anywhere, ideally in your own stainless steel bottle.
Pack breakfast, snack or lunch in your own containers to avoid ordering food from restaurants usually packed in non-recyclable packaging. Lunch from the university cafeteria can also be a good alternative. If you have to take it away, ask about the possibility of packing it in your own container. A green menu is also offered regularly. So why not give up meat for at least a day?
In the kitchenette and toilet, replace paper towels with a towel or dish towel.
You can also behave more sustainably in your normal work activities. Avoid printing documents. If necessary, activate eco-mode or set up duplex and black and white printing. Use shared electronic documents (Microsoft Office suite) and platforms like Microsoft Teams (tutorials here) to collaborate and communicate.
Try to minimize waste. Sort the waste you produce (hint). If you do not have containers for separate collection, a discarded box in which you can collect paper for example, will be enough. You can do the same with plastics, metals or glass.
Save energy! When leaving the office, make sure you have turned off all electrical appliances, light, heating, etc. If the equipment or furniture has ceased to function or needs to be replaced with newer pieces, it does not mean that the old ones cannot be used by someone else. Donate it through UPJŠ Database of Discarded Furniture.
On the way home, apply the first tip again.
If you are completely new to sustainability, start changing things gradually. Do not set yourself too high goals and do not try to change everything at once. Choose the easiest ones to implement and gradually add more to them. If you have been familiar with some of these tips for a long time, focus on the new ones and try to apply them to your work life. If you already do all this, your goal may be to motivate your colleagues to be sustainable. Send them this article, or place the attached infographic in a prominent place in the office. At the same time, you can be an inspiration and support for them in acquiring new eco-habits.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
