5 Work From Home Practices That Enhance Sustainability

Julie Starr • June 24, 2021



There are many benefits of working from home. It offers you more freedom, conserves energy due to lack of commuting, and allows you to live and
work greener . You might wonder how exactly working from home can make you live more sustainably, here’s more.

Reduces your overall carbon footprint

Working from home reduces your carbon footprint in many ways. It will reduce your electricity usage and you will likely only use one plug socket. Additionally, it can reduce emissions overall.

For instance, if you require clients to sign documents, then you can use an electronic signature service instead of posting the documents. This reduces fuel emissions due to the elimination of postal services.

No transport use

When you work from home, you will not be using transport to get to and from work. The lack of commute reduces your emission use. 

If you can help it, avoiding using your own car to get to the grocery store or meetings will help too. If you do require transport for business use when working remotely, try using shared transport as it is not as harmful to the environment.

Better food choices

Working from home means fewer lunches out or rushed grocery store-bought lunches. This means you can have more time to make your food choices. You can use less plastic as well as eater a more plant-based diet

When you have more time, it will mean you have more time to prepare your food. Instead of choosing animal products, you can prepare delicious plant-based meals and experiment with your food. 

Additionally, you could meal prep for the week and store the meals in the fridge. Prepping meals will mean you know what you are eating and waste less food.

Better material choices

Using the internet and your laptop means you can use minimal electricity as well as materials. For instance, you will reduce the amount of paperwork you use as most of your data and documents will be online. 

Additionally, you can invest in eco-friendly light bulbs that are energy-saving, as well as, non-toxic desk and chair materials. You will have a choice as to what furniture you use as opposed to an office where you have no say.

Reduced energy use

Speaking of energy-saving bulbs, you will reduce your overall energy usage working from home. Most office environments leave plugs and devices switched on all day long. Some even leave them running overnight. 

However, as you are in your home own home you can dictate the power usage. You can switch off your plugs when you are not using them as use your laptop until it needs charging, as opposed to leaving it plugged in all day. Furthermore, you can ensure to use minimal energy throughout the day, even when you make food or get ready. 

To be more sustainable when working from home is as simple as making better choices. You can control your carbon footprint and be less impactful on energy usage and carbon emissions. 

By Julie Starr July 17, 2025
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By Julie Starr July 14, 2025
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