You’re an environmental engineer. How can you make remote work a sustainable option?

1 Assess your energy use

One of the first steps to making remote work more eco-friendly is to assess how much energy you use at home. This includes your electricity, heating, cooling, and water consumption. You can use online tools, such as the Home Energy Saver, to calculate your energy use and identify areas where you can save. For example, you can switch to LED bulbs, use power strips, adjust your thermostat, and install low-flow showerheads.

2 Choose green equipment

Another way to lower your carbon footprint is to choose green equipment for your home office. This means opting for devices that are energy-efficient, durable, and recyclable. You can look for labels such as Energy Star, EPEAT, or RoHS to identify products that meet environmental standards. You can also consider buying second-hand or refurbished equipment, or renting or sharing equipment with others.

3 Reduce paper waste

As an environmental engineer, you probably deal with a lot of documents, reports, and drawings. To reduce paper waste, you can use digital tools to create, store, and share your work. For example, you can use cloud-based platforms, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, to store and access your files online. You can also use online collaboration tools, such as Zoom, Skype, or Slack, to communicate and work with your colleagues and clients.

4 Adopt green habits

Besides selecting green equipment and cutting down on paper waste, you can also adopt green habits to make remote work more sustainable. Planning your work schedule to avoid peak hours can help reduce the demand on the grid. Additionally, you should use natural light and ventilation as much as possible to reduce your need for artificial lighting and cooling. Unplugging your devices and turning off appliances when not in use can help prevent standby power consumption. Furthermore, recycling or donating old equipment and materials when you upgrade or replace them is a great way to be more eco-friendly. Finally, supporting local and organic businesses and products when shopping for home office needs is a great way to be green.

5 Monitor your progress

Finally, you can monitor your progress and measure your environmental performance as a remote worker. You can use online calculators, such as the Carbon Footprint Calculator, to estimate your greenhouse gas emissions and compare them with your previous or average levels. You can also set goals and track your achievements using apps, such as JouleBug or Oroeco. You can also join online communities, such as the Green Business Network or the Remote Work Association, to learn from and share with other like-minded professionals.

Remote work can be a great opportunity for you as an environmental engineer to reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. By following these tips, you can make remote work a viable and green option for your career.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?