5 Tips to Work From Home…Sustainably!

It’s time for another fantastic blog from one of our interns! This insightful blog by Becca Goodyear highlights some smart but simply ways that you can be more sustainable while working from home. Thank you Becca for these awesome tips!

5 Tips to WFH Sustainably…

One of the biggest ways that we can all benefit island nations like Fiji right now, is to take action against climate change. Although an increase in homeworking means a reduction in transport pollution, it brings new challenges, with millions more people heating their homes every day this winter. It has been estimated that collectively we will spend an extra £2bn this year on heating – or over £100 each. That alone could go a long way towards a Fiji fund! These are just a few of the ways we can reduce our impact while working from home – and most will save money too! 

Switch your energy provider 

Surprisingly, switching to a renewable energy supplier can actually be the cheapest option – and it’s free to do! Bulb is a great supplier which provides 100% renewable energy. Another quick switch is to change your web browser to Ecosia – a search engine which plants trees while you search the web!

Cut down on heating bills

Did you know that turning down your thermostat just 1 degree can save 8% on your energy bill and carbon emissions? Although it’s important to be comfortable, wearing an extra layer of clothing and taking regular movement breaks will keep you warm much more efficiently than blasting the heating 24/7. 

Shared Spaces

This option admittedly has its limitations in a pandemic, but where safe to do so, working in shared spaces can reduce your heating bill. Maybe you could spend one day a week working in your local café (restrictions permitting) – small businesses need our support more than ever, and a change of scene can have big benefits for motivation and inspiration. If you are working on a virtual internship, why not try to connect with other interns living in your area, and see if you can meet at a café or uni library to work together – this is a great way to share ideas, and meet like minded people without the awkward Zoom barrier! 

This could even be as simple as working in the same room as the people you live with, allowing you to heat less rooms in the house – and again you get that added bit of social benefit!

Save Electricity 

Turn your equipment off overnight! This is a reminder to me as much as anyone, but if you can’t remember the last time you intentionally turned your laptop or phone off (battery depletion doesn’t count) then it’s time to make this a habit. Turning everything off at the end of the working day will save electricity, reduce your bills costs and help your brain switch off too. Decreasing the brightness on your computer monitor is another way to save energy, while also reducing the strain on your eyes. Try to work in a space that is not too bright, so that your screen is not competing with direct sunlight! 

Take sustainable breaks! 

One of the great things about working from home is the unlimited supply of tea and coffee – but did you know kettles make up more of our energy consumption than ovens? Instead of filling the whole kettle each time, measuring out the water with your mug before boiling could save you around £20 a year. Another great step to reduce carbon emissions is to cut down on meat and dairy. You could challenge yourself to try switching to plant-based milk for a week (or more) – soya and oat are just some of the options available! 

A final note on sustainability… It’s important to say that ‘sustainability’ doesn’t just refer to the environment. In simple terms, it means actions which benefit us in the present, without compromising the future. With this in mind, sustainability also means taking care of yourself… so that future you can still work to your full potential! Using the Pomodoro technique helps to avoid distractions, and remind you to take regular breaks. Try to avoid screens during your breaks, and instead do something unrelated to your work, like a quick walk, some yoga or calling a friend. This will keep you working efficiently, so that ultimately you have more time free to enjoy.