Five Ways To Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace

Five Ways To Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace

Returning to work in the new year is an exciting time full of new opportunities, challenges and professional growth. A great way to boost motivation, inspire creativity and enhance your health is to rearrange your office space and use environmentally friendly office supplies. Tracey Bailey, founder of Biome Eco Stores has provided her top tips to create a non-toxic and environmentally friendly workspace to refresh your mind and boost productivity in the new year.

Place a plant on your desk
A plant on your desk can do wonders for your mind, body and soul. It improves air quality in the office and helps to relieve stress, reduce sickness, boost productivity and increase creativity. Indoor plants including Peace Lilies, Zanzibar Gem, Fiddle-leaf Fig, Madagascar Dragon Tree and Cacti are perfect for reviving a dull workspace.

Use a reusable coffee cup
Is your work bin usually overflowing with takeaway coffee cups? Not only is excess rubbish bad for the environment but it also clutters the mind. Instead of using a disposable cup every time you purchase your morning coffee, take a reusable coffee cup instead. This simple act will significantly reduce your contribution to landfill and put you in a positive frame of mind.

Pack your lunch
Taking packed lunch to work is an easy way to reduce your consumption of unhealthy takeaway food and save you money. Fuelling your body with nutritious food rather than sugar and refined carbohydrates will support your overall body heath including your mind. Packing your lunch in nontoxic reusable containers will reduce the number of chemicals you are exposed to and keep your lunch fresh. If you are heating food in a microwave, avoid plastic and opt for glass containers instead.

Buy recycled paper notebooks and refillable pens
Although it is best to remain paper free as much as possible, notebooks and pens are usually necessary for note-taking during meetings or when on the phone. When purchasing notebooks, select ones that have been manufactured using recycled paper and materials. Keep your notebooks nearby as this will save you from using printer paper or post-it notes instead. When purchasing pens for your office, select refillable pens as they are more environmentally friendly than disposable ones.

Use a reusable water bottle
It is easy to get caught up with work and before you know it, it is 3pm and you have barely consumed any water. Keep a reusable water bottle on your desk to ensure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Having one easily accessible and within eyesight will constantly remind you to drink water throughout the day. This will help to keep your mind active and your body hydrated.

Read daily affirmations
Staying inspired throughout the year can be hard especially if you experience difficult times. Daily affirmation help to maintain enthusiasm and inspire positive thinking during tough times. From desk displays to diaries, there are many ways to incorporate inspirational affirmations into your day to improve your mental wellbeing.

Tracey Bailey is the founder of Biome Eco Stores, a Brisbane-based retail business which provides Australia's largest range of eco-friendly products in-store and online, offering deliveries nation-wide. After working in corporate communications and starting a family, she made a choice to be part of the solution to our planet's future. Beginning as an online shop in 2003, Tracey has expanded Biome Eco Stores into four physical stores located in Paddington, Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly and Balmoral. From natural skincare and green cleaning to safe, reusable water bottles and food pouches, Biome Eco Stores helps Australians live waste free, toxin free and ethical lives. Visit www.biome.com.au.

Article: Tracey Bailey, Founder of Biome Eco Stores
Image: Wellineux (available at Biome Eco Stores)