Why Going Remote Is the Sustainable Choice for Businesses

Julie Starr • June 28, 2024

In recent years, there’s been a big shift in how companies operate with many choosing to go remote. But why is this trend catching on? Well, going remote isn’t just about working in pajamas all day; it's also a super sustainable choice for businesses. Let’s dive into why this is the case and how it could even benefit the planet!


Cutting down on the commute


First off, think about the daily commute. Most of us have to travel to work, whether by car, bus, or train, which adds a lot of carbon emissions to the environment. But when businesses go remote, this daily travel vanishes, drastically reducing the company's carbon footprint.


Imagine if a company with hundreds of employees cuts out all those commutes–it’s like taking a small town's worth of cars off the road!


Trimming down office space


Now, let's talk about the physical office space. Maintaining large office buildings consumes a ton of energy. From heating and cooling to powering up numerous devices and lights every day, there’s a lot of power being used on a daily basis. But when a company decides to operate remotely, much of this energy use drops significantly. Instead of hundreds of computers humming in one big office, each person uses just what they need at home, which can really lower the overall energy consumption.


Plus, without a big office, companies don’t need as much office supplies. Think about all the paper, plastic, and other materials used in a traditional office setting. Going remote means businesses can dramatically reduce waste, which is a big win for sustainability. It’s like turning an entire office into a sustainable office without the traditional waste and energy costs.


Encouraging digital collaboration


With advances in technology, collaborating online has never been easier, which makes remote work totally doable. Tools like video conferencing, cloud storage, and online project management systems allow teams to stay connected and productive, no matter where they are.


These digital tools not only support efficient work but also contribute to a company's sustainability goals. They reduce the need for physical resources like paper, as everything from memos to reports can be shared and stored digitally. So, it's not just about convenience; it's about making a positive impact on our planet as well.


New goals, new workspaces


As more businesses embrace remote work, we're seeing a rise in alternatives like coworking spaces. These spaces provide a place for remote workers to come together when needed, which supports a sense of community and collaboration without the permanence and resource drain of traditional office spaces. Coworking spaces are often designed with sustainability in mind, using shared resources to reduce overall consumption.


In conclusion, the shift towards remote work isn’t just a trend–it's a forward-thinking choice that aligns with sustainable practices. It reduces environmental impact, cuts down on waste, and can even encourage collaboration. As we look to the future, it's clear that remote work will play a big part in shaping environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices.

5 Everyday Items That Can Quietly Boost Your Brand

By Julie Starr • July 17, 2025
The best branding doesn’t always come from big campaigns or expensive graphics. Sometimes it’s the smaller stuff that leaves the biggest impression. Things people actually use, touch, or carry with them. That’s where your brand can quietly make its mark without needing to shout about it. If you’re only focusing on social media and business cards, you’re leaving a lot on the table. Here are five overlooked ways to get your name out there that feel natural, useful, and more personal. Thank-you slips If you’re already sending out orders, there’s no reason not to include a short thank-you slip. You can easily get these made through any decent online print shop , and they’re usually pretty cheap to run off in small batches. Just a simple note that says thanks, maybe with a reminder to follow you online or a cheeky discount code for next time. It’s quick, thoughtful, and makes the whole order feel more finished. Customers notice that kind of detail, especially when everything else they buy online comes with zero personality. You don’t need a complicated design either. Just something clean with your logo, a message that sounds like you, and maybe a social handle. The point is to give them a reason to come back or remember your name without it feeling forced. Branded zip pouches If you sell physical products, offer services, or run events, small zip pouches are surprisingly effective. Think of the kind you’d use for stationery, receipts, or travel bits. You can get your brand printed on the side and hand them out with purchases or include them in welcome packs. People keep them because they’re actually useful. They get tossed in handbags, school bags, or glove boxes and your logo just keeps turning up. Cleaning cloths for glasses or screens This one works brilliantly if you’re in tech, health, beauty, or anything involving screens or eyewear. A simple microfibre cloth with your branding on it can go a long way. Everyone needs one. Whether they use it for glasses, a phone screen, or their laptop, it’s something they hang onto. It’s not the kind of thing people throw away, and that means your name sticks around too. Receipt envelopes You might already use little envelopes to hand over receipts or business cards. Branding those envelopes is a small change that makes a big difference. Instead of someone getting a scruffy bit of paper in a plain sleeve, they’re handed something that feels a bit more finished. You can even add a message inside. Doesn’t need to be anything dramatic. A simple “thanks for visiting” or “see you next time” is enough to add a personal touch. Wet wipes or mini hand gels If your business is in hospitality, food, or anything hands-on, branded wet wipes or pocket-sized hand gels are surprisingly popular. People actually use them, especially at festivals, food stalls, pop-ups, or kids’ events. They end up in handbags or cars and stick around longer than you think. They don’t scream “marketing” either. They’re practical, and when done right, they make your business feel thoughtful. That’s what good branding does, it shows you’ve thought ahead.

How Student-Led ‘Energy Audits’ Are Cutting School Costs (and Lighting the Way Forward)

By Julie Starr • July 14, 2025
What happens when students stop waiting for adults to fix things and start conducting their own energy audits? Money gets saved. The lights get switched off. Data gets analyzed. And a quiet revolution in sustainability begins—inside schools that once overlooked their own inefficiencies. Across the globe, student-led energy audits are proving that change doesn't always need to come from a policy shift or a major capital budget. Sometimes, it begins with a clipboard, a spreadsheet, and a group of curious minds asking: Why are the hallway lights on at noon when sunlight floods the building? The Energy Detectives These audits aren’t science fair projects. They’re rigorous investigations, often done in collaboration with facilities staff, local environmental nonprofits, or even engineering mentors. Students go from classroom to classroom measuring electricity usage, checking for phantom loads , and identifying where heat is escaping in winter or air conditioning is leaking in summer. One high school in Ontario saved over $12,000 a year after its Grade 11 physics students ran an energy audit and suggested simple changes—LED upgrades, motion sensors in bathrooms, and smarter heating schedules. They didn’t just propose ideas. They pitched them with spreadsheets, thermal images, and payback timelines. It worked. Learning That Pays Off—Literally Unlike textbook learning, these audits blend real-world math, environmental science, economics, and persuasive communication. Students aren’t just learning about sustainability. They’re doing it. And the savings add up. From dimming overlit hallways to reprogramming HVAC systems that run all weekend for empty buildings, students are surfacing blind spots that administrators often overlook. In some districts, their findings are influencing energy policy. Elsewhere, the audits have inspired school boards to hire sustainability coordinators—often alumni of the student programs themselves. There’s something poetic about a school funding new books or laptops from money saved by students who found out the vending machines didn’t need to be plugged in 24/7. Why This Matters More Than Ever With education budgets tightening and utility costs rising, every dollar saved is a dollar that can go back into classrooms. And here’s where it gets interesting from a family finance perspective, too. If you’re a parent setting aside money for post-secondary savings, every bit of school efficiency helps. Fewer energy costs might mean more programming, better STEM facilities, or even bursaries. That raises a broader point: when families save for their children’s future, they often look into RESPs (Registered Education Savings Plans). And many wonder—is a RESP deduction available on my taxes? While contributions themselves aren’t deductible, the gains grow tax-free, and students often pay little to no tax when they withdraw the funds during school. A Movement Worth Replicating These audits aren’t just an exercise in environmentalism. They’re leadership labs. Students learn how to spot inefficiencies, speak up in board meetings, and make a business case for change. They don’t just flip switches—they shift mindsets. And they carry these habits into adulthood. The result? A generation growing up not only with climate anxiety, but also with tools to tackle it.