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5 items to make your workday more eco-friendly

Earth Day is April 22 each year. It is a day when we ponder the importance of being kind to our planet. We really should be taking care of the Earth every single day of every single year instead of just one, and now is a fabulous time to start. Consider that paper napkin you grab at lunchtime. Reach for a reusable one instead. Do you have an empty plastic water bottle on your desk? Make sure you dispose of it in the recycle bin rather than the garbage can, or better yet, refill it again and again. Perhaps someone could suggest installing a water cooler in the office to cut down on plastic waste. Maybe someone else could initiate a ride-share program among employees to reduce fuel emissions. The list is, quite literally, endless, and if we all do our part, we can make a difference. 

We’ve put together this list of fantastic products to give you and your office a jumping-off point. One drop in a bucket doesn’t amount to much but imagine if you multiplied that drop by 50, and then by another 50. Pretty soon you’d have a full bucket. All it takes is small changes to have an enormous impact!

This reusable, stylish, leakproof bento box will help you transport your lunch to the office with ease. It was designed to fit inside your purse or laptop bag, resulting in one less thing for you to carry, and has three separate compartments which prevent your food from mixing together. Included with your purchase is a helpful online recipe guide appropriately titled “World of Bento” that offers creative ways to make the best lunches ever! This lunchbox is dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and even freezer-safe meaning that your meal will stay cool until lunchtime. It’s time to say goodbye to paper lunch sacks and hello to this eco-friendly, lunch-friendly alternative.

It’s early. You still need to let the dogs out, brush your teeth, and gather your laptop and the rest of your belongings. Phone? Check. Lunch? Check. Ugh … mornings! Instead of reaching for a flimsy, wasteful plastic grocery bag for your daily necessities, why not grab a reusable bag instead? These canvas shopping bags are not only good for the planet, but they’re very convenient to use: The sides are made to stay upright whether by your desk or in your car and fold flat when not in use for easy storage.

Paper napkins are so convenient for lunchtime messes, but it’s no secret that they create a huge amount of waste and have a part in deforestation as well. These reusable cloths are a perfect replacement! They are remarkably absorbent, and perfect for drying your hands and wiping down the lunchroom table once you’ve finished eating. It would be so easy to create a sign-up sheet assigning one person the task of taking the towels down to the company laundry room (or taking them home if your building doesn’t have laundry facilities) after lunch and washing them so they’re ready for the next day. They come in a variety of fun colors making cleanup a little more enjoyable.

Think about how smelly and gross the garbage can in the lunchroom at work is. Yuck! Why not compost the leftovers instead of throwing them in the trash? This indoor compost bin traps odors and creates a fresher-smelling lunchroom. As an added convenience it is small and portable, so spreading the resulting compost on the office grounds is super easy. It even has a carry handle. What a great way to get everyone involved. The benefits of composting are extraordinary!

This stainless steel mug is available in eight gorgeous patterns, so you’re sure to find one that fits your style. It is perfect for your morning cup of coffee or tea, and eliminates the need for disposable cups. You can even refill it throughout the day from the office coffeepot! This cup eliminates the risk of your coworkers mistaking it for their own and accidentally taking a sip, reducing the spread of germs. Taking your coffee on the go has never been easier or more stylish. Get ready to start the day with a smile!

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Say that a person works an average of 260 days per year. That would mean that these (seemingly) small changes would be equal to approximately 1040 items (between the paper lunch bags, plastic grocery bags, napkins, and disposable coffee cups) that don’t wind up in landfills. Now imagine if everyone in your office did the same thing. And so did everyone in the office next door, and the next one … Yowza! Mother Earth would be beaming for sure. Every day should be Earth Day because we live on Earth every day! Small changes have enormous impacts, and it all starts with you!

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