Freelancing overall is much more sustainable than onsite working. Working from home means fewer excuses for fast food, less transportation-related pollution, and less money spent (plus you can sleep in a little longer and work in your pjs). But even so, there are still other ways to lower your impact on the environment by making a few easy changes. Here are 4 things you can do as a freelancer to be even more sustainable.
Stock your office with eco-friendly tools
Don’t throw out what you have—after all, the most sustainable items are the ones you already own. But as you use up your current office items, start shifting toward eco-friendly alternatives. Staples makes great sustainable notebooks out of recycled paper, and instead of replacing your plastic pens every so often, get a refillable fountain pen.
Another easy eco-friendly office update is an external hard drive. As a copyeditor, I used to print out the original manuscripts of the books I edited, but I found I was using so much paper. So about a year ago, I got an external hard drive to save them to, and it’s been a life-, money-, and environment-saver.
Make your own coffee
A coffee machine is a big expense up front that’ll save you money in the long run. Don’t use just any coffee maker—use one that doesn’t use little disposable cups like the Keurig machine does. French press, slow drip, or espresso machine, anything works, really, because you can buy your beans in bulk and many coffee shops will grind your beans for you if you don’t have a grinder at home (some Bulk Barn locations also have a grinder next to their—organic, fair-trade—coffee beans).
Coffee is (surprisingly?) not-all-that-great for the environment, so try your best to find organic fair-trade beans, and go with certified roasters. Keep in mind, though, that getting certified can be quite expensive, so not all environmentally friendly roasters will be. It’s important to do your own research, especially when it comes to smaller companies.
Go Secondhand
Both my office desk and Tempur-pedic chair were bought off Kijiji. Every office needs furniture, so instead of buying everything new, which costs money and is more wasteful if you’re the type who likes to change it up once in awhile, check out your secondhand stores and websites. And fun fact: my desk, which I got for $250, was listed on the Pottery Barn website for over $2200.
You don’t need all the newest tools and gadgets to be a successful freelancer, but you do need to make sure what you do have will last. That means if you’re able to find a quality secondhand laptop, naturally that would be your best choice, but don’t buy a cheap secondhand laptop if it’s going to fall apart on you in a month. Really weigh your options and balance what you can buy secondhand with what will last you forever.
Unplug
This is an easy one: When you aren’t using your devices, unplug them. Many people leave their phone and laptop chargers plugged in at all times, even when they’re not in use. Cut down on energy use and your hydro bills by only using power when you need it. The same goes for your heating and A/C. On chilly summer days, turn the A/C off and open the windows. Or better yet, work outside and (for those of us in Canada) enjoy the two months of decent weather we get each year.