Lights on when not needed, air conditioning making the office as cold as Antarctica, endless disposable plastic bottles – do we really need all of this? The green office is an eco-friendly workplace that opposes waste. Its philosophy is based on reducing or eliminating all unsustainable practices within the work environment.

Keep reading to discover a guide with 10 tips to make your green office.

1. Choose Sustainable Transportation Methods

The sustainability and environmental consciousness of a company begin with the transportation methods employees use to commute to work. According to an analysis by ISTAT, nearly 70% of employed individuals in Italy use their own cars to reach the office. This poses a significant problem both in terms of pollution caused by carbon emissions and the stress induced by traffic. Consider these sustainable alternatives:

• Bicycle: Helps you avoid traffic and engage in physical activity.
• Eco-friendly transportation: Especially during cold months or rainy days.
• Carpooling: Coordinate with your colleagues to reduce pollution collectively.

2. Control Air Conditioning and Heating

Air conditioning contributes to about 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The gases used for cooling indoor environments can severely damage the atmosphere. It’s crucial to avoid excessive use of these substances contributing to climate change.

With new anti-waste measures introduced in 2023, indoor spaces in Italy should maintain an average temperature of 19°C during winter, with a tolerance of 2°C. In the summer, the air conditioning cannot be set below 25 degrees. Abide by these guidelines to make your office green!

3. Bring Plants to the Office

Adding greenery to your office not only enhances aesthetics but also plays a crucial role in purifying indoor air. As we know, plants produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, thus purifying the air and creating a more productive work environment. Engage your colleagues in these initiatives, making this sustainable endeavor both enjoyable and engaging.

4. Implement Waste Separation

Waste separation is crucial in a green office. Image via Canva Pro Waste separation is already present in almost all households. However, in offices, this aspect is often overlooked, and a single bin containing all types of waste is used. Reorganize this aspect of your office by using different bins, labeling them clearly to highlight the separation, and emphasizing the importance of these small actions. Make sure bins are conveniently placed in strategic areas of the office: near desks, close to the entrance, and in the refreshment area.

5. Minimize Paper Usage

Thanks to technological advancements, it’s possible to avoid excessive paper usage nowadays. It’s time for all offices to work towards digitizing documents, reducing printed paper, curbing excessive printer use, and saving forests worldwide. Document archiving and management can occur through digital platforms. If you need to print something, use recycled paper and always print double-sided to enhance efficiency and minimize waste in your green office.

6. Reduce Plastic Consumption

Plastic disposal poses a global issue, heavily polluting the environment and oceans. Combat excessive plastic use in your office. Encourage stainless steel or aluminum water bottles that can be refilled multiple times, unlike single-use plastic bottles. The same concept applies to lunch containers: promote washable containers and strive to make your office entirely plastic-free.

7. Turn Off Devices Overnight

Employees often leave computers on standby or even fully operational at the end of the workday. There’s no reason for this. Ensure that all devices and lights in the office are turned off at the end of the day, or delegate this task to other members of your staff to involve them in your green office concept.

8. Utilize Solar Panels for Energy Production

A fundamental step towards sustainability involves energy production from sustainable sources. Many buildings have opted for solar panels and photovoltaic systems to reduce the ecological footprint of the office. Take a step forward and harness solar energy to achieve economic savings and eco-solidarity with our planet.

9. Promote Remote Working

In the post-pandemic era, remote working, or smart-working, has gained momentum. Despite concerns about its impact on the work-life balance, it’s an opportunity to enhance environmental sustainability. Firstly, it eliminates the need for commutes, resulting in fewer emissions and reduced pollution. Additionally, it could lead to downsizing the office space and minimizing waste. For example, you could organize your employees to work in the office three times a week and work remotely for the remaining two days. This drastically reduces workspace and waste in your green office.

10. Raise Awareness Among Colleagues and Collaborators

This tenth and final point is crucial for the successful implementation of the entire guide. Often, when discussing sustainability and the environment, people tend to overlook the consequences. They may think it’s something beyond their control and that it’s talked about excessively. Your significant task is to raise awareness among all collaborators in your green office. Engage them in internal and external initiatives, involve them in conferences to increase awareness. Your goal here is to create awareness about this issue, encouraging everyone to refrain from polluting even with small actions, both in the office and at home.

If your goal is to contribute to the planet’s well-being by transforming your office, this guide offers steps to make it more green.

The article Green Office: 10 Ideas to Make Your Office More Sustainable was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Nowadays, more and more people are becoming interested in sustainable living and taking care of our planet. Many of us want to live green, reduce resource consumption and reduce our environmental impact. And blogging is one way to spread the word and share experiences about sustainable living. In this article, we will look at how to start a green blog, and what you need to know about content creation, promotion, and monetization. Based on our tips, you will be able to create a successful blog and attract an audience that also cares about the planet.

Step 1: Choose a theme

Before you start blogging, you need to choose a topic that is comfortable for you and interesting for your audience. As sustainable living can cover many topics, you may like to focus on a specific topic such as healthy eating, sustainable fashion, travel or household issues.

Step 2: Determine your voice

Once you have determined the topic, you must determine your voice. This means that you have to decide how you will speak to your audience, and what tone your blog will have. Some bloggers use humor, others use a scientific approach. Your voice must be unique and match your personality.

Step 3: Learn a foreign language

It would seem, why? The answer is simple, to convey to people from other countries, for example, Italy what you want to tell them. How to make it all easier? Speaking and telling them this in their own language. To begin with, it is best to deal with this issue yourself until you have a team that you can completely trust. In the future, you will be able to assign tasks to others, and you might even have a representative in each nation.

But before that, once again, it is worth learning a foreign language. Where to do it? There are numerous online platforms that teach foreign languages, like Italian or German languages, there are native teachers, there are Italian tutors online, various schools, etc. By devoting a few hours a week to learning a language, you can achieve unprecedented success in your business.

In addition to the previous point, we would like to note the training of your accent, because if in the future you will perform on stage in front of hundreds, maybe thousands of people, it will be important that you speak clearly and your listeners understand what you want to convey to them.

Step 4: Create your blog

Once you’ve chosen a topic and defined your voice, you should create your blog. Although there are many blogging platforms, WordPress is one of the most well-liked. WordPress allows you to create a blog from scratch and modify it however you like. If you need something a little simpler, you can also use sites like Medium or Tumblr.

Initially, we advise you to start a blog in your native language, and later, when your blog develops and you learn a foreign language, you can start blogging in a foreign language.

Step 5: Create Content

When your blog is ready, you should start creating content. Try to make your content unique, interesting, and informative. Your content may include articles, videos, photographs, and interactive content. Diversify formats to appeal to different readers and provide interesting and engaging information.

If you blog in English, try adding hashtags in a foreign language to reach a new audience. The more people from different countries will come, the more you will have the incentive to learn foreign languages.

Step 6: Promotion

To attract an audience, you must promote your blog. Submit your content to social media, use hashtags so people can find your blog, and participate in communities related to your topic. You can also try to attract an audience through guest posts on other blogs, participation in podcasts and webinars, and link exchanges.

Step 7: Monetization

Once your blog starts getting traffic and becomes popular, you can start monetizing it. There are numerous ways to earn money from a blog, such as advertising, sponsoring materials, and selling products or services. Choose the one that suits your topic and audience.

Step 8: Audience Retention

To keep your audience, you must keep your blog up to date and create interesting content. Listen to feedback from your readers and improve your blog based on it. Also, do not forget about social networks and promote your blog in various communities.

Conclusion

Starting a green blog is a great way to share your knowledge and experience about sustainable living and reach an audience that also cares about our planet. The key steps for creating a blog are choosing a topic, defining a voice, creating content, promotion, monetization, and audience retention. By following our tips, you will be able to create a successful blog and become a leader in the field of green living.

The article Green Blogging: How to Start a Sustainable Living Blog was originally posted on Ecobnb.

If you have been thinking of which environmentally friendly movie to see any time soon, you might like to have a look at this absolutely brilliant one-minute short film with a rather succinct but a telling title  ‘Waterman’ from India, which has been screened in as many as 32 countries globally.

This one-minute short film Waterman got screened in 30+ countries around the globe as part of a number of international specialized film festivals. In this superbly short film from India, water is personified in a fictional character, which is a portrayal of the daily struggles water has to fight, en route to reaching ordinary people the way the end user tends to misuse it and squander it in vain.

Given that the water crisis tends to be an eye-watering issue all over the world (pardon my pun), this superbly short film Waterman was made within the convenient comedy genre but in the very end it makes a high pitch point with a lot of food for thought for all of us – “Water comes from very far respect it”.

The film is written and directed by Anshul Sinha, a film director from India and Sandeep Sahu plays the role of the waterman Sandeep was the gold medalist in performing arts from Hyderabad Central University. Rajnish Sharma, Devika Das and Shubhang play the supporting roles in the film. The year 2019 meant the beginning of a series of international film festival tours for Waterman

This hilariously funny though short movie Waterman has won six International and three national awards so far. Besides, it has featured in more than 30 international film festivals as well. Anshul Sinha, the film director himself together with Sandeep the main actor in the role of the water personified, was invited to the International Green Culture Festival “GreenFest“-Belgrade, Serbia, South East Europe, to attend the special screening in person (where I had the pleasure to meet both Sandeep and Anshul in person).

Waterman: a short summary

His family drama every morning for 60 minutes got this young indie director from India to create a superb short movie. Namely, precious water which tends to be so taken for granted elsewhere in the world is delivered to their tower block every alternate day for as little as sixty minutes during which, their family flat turns into a battlefield with his family members vying for their own turn to get their fair share. There are only three characters in the film, one of which is water itself.

In this film, water expresses pain when humans squander it wastefully. In this personification of water in this short movie, it is being given a face to be able to show her emotions so that humankind starts feeling empathy for it. The Waterman travels to great lengths to supply water to humans wherever they might be needing it. This married couple jumps with joy whenever water comes to their humble abode but when they set about doing their household chores, they waste it unawares.

There is a powerful message in the end: ‘Water comes from far away. Respect it‘. As the saying goes, many a true word is told in jest because there is a good dollop of humor in this short and silent movie. This idea to make it into a silent movie was brilliant because in doing so, it would reach out to the world though in its austere ways deprived of unnecessary linguistic decoration. Silence speaks volumes indeed. So far Waterman has received 20 nominations and eight international awards and the second prize at the International Environment Film Festival held by National Geographic in the USA. 

Cover image: photo by Jimmy Chang on Unsplash

This article is adapted and submitted by: eco English with Natasha  

The article Water woes documented in a short, silent movie from India was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Unknown to many, mathematics plays an important role in everything around us. This includes the environment. We can apply mathematics to save our endangered planet. To educators, environmental math could be the solution to the problems of our planet. It requires a lot of scientific research to help us understand climate change. This includes how it affects our lives and what we can do to prepare for the inevitable. This is just one of the many eco-tips we can apply using mathematics.

Using math concepts to teach sustainability

Sustainability is a big part of being eco-friendly. This is something you can learn using mathematics. It’s easy to relate basic math concepts to critical and current issues. This includes the sustainable availability of various resources. 

Through math, you can gain an understanding of exponential growth and limits to growth. These are essential concepts for environmental literacy. Mathematical modeling is also needed when making assessments on global environmental changes. Today, there are online curricula to learn math through current global issues. These include biodiversity, population growth, natural resource use, ecological footprint, and climate change.

Online math help

If you want to take care of the environment while studying, you need time for this. However, having enough time isn’t very common for college students who study algebra or math. To help you out, take advantage of free online services with calculus problems and answers through online resources. PlainMath has an answer to almost every calculus question you might have. Using a free online service makes studying much easier. Then you will have more time to focus on saving the environment in your own way.

Mathematical models for better environmental management

There are some most immediate concerns in these past few decades. These are the effective planning and management of environmental systems and resources. We need this to become environmentally friendly. The issue of the scarcity of resources and contamination has resulted in various liabilities and impacts. To help solve these problems, researchers have developed mathematical models.

These models serve as effective tools. We can use them for examining the environmental, ecological, and economic effects of alternative resource conservation and pollution control actions. These models have helped decision-makers and planners to formulate management policies that are cost-effective.

Taking advantage of renewable sources of energy

To delay the adverse effects of fossil fuel consumption, people have turned to eco-friendly products. We can also rely on renewable energy sources that are now found at the very heart of a lower-carbon world. Maximizing the benefits of renewable energy sources is a possibility. But it requires selecting optimal locations for solar or wind farms. It’s also important to design effective layouts for wind turbines and tidal arrays.

Mathematicians have an indispensable role. They contribute their research into energy demand and supply. This ensures that networks incorporate higher proportions of weather-dependent energy sources. These include solar and wind power. That way, we have an assurance that there will be no powder shortages in the future.

Math makes us more aware of our environment

There are many arguments regarding the use of renewables as a power source. This has controversial advantages and disadvantages. Mathematics can bring solid science to the arguments. Use it to provide confidence in climate change models. This, in turn, can help improve existing renewable technologies.

Mathematics is also the key to the assessment of renewables based on environmental observations. We need this to make living eco-friendly a possibility. For instance, take weather data. This has helped in the prediction of solar cell efficiency. Mathematical models are now used to help communities. They use math to plan their future by establishing a sustainable energy mix. They do this through innovative energy distribution and storage. This is just one example of using mathematics to make you more aware of the environment.

For the development of new technologies

The use of new technologies is essential for a low-carbon future. For instance, we have Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This can safely lock away greenhouse gasses emitted by fossil-fueled power stations. The presence of CCSs helps avert dangerous global warming levels. The use of comprehensive mathematical models could make this research come to fruition. These models use sophisticated network analyses. They also use statistical modeling, logistics methods, and other mathematical tools.

Conclusion

Mathematics is a subject that many of us have struggled with. But despite this, it is important to learn more about it. Learning math makes us appreciate its elegant and beautiful essence. It can reveal the basic truths that govern the universe in a way that no other discipline can. Learning math can help you become more reflective. Also, you can become an active member of a democratic society.

Author’s Bio: Jessica C. Vang is a popular writer who takes up work in different niches and, owing to her versatility and rich experience in the field, produces fabulous results consistently. It’s her motivation to help others with essay examples and professional-level editing that has enabled her to climb up the success ladder in very quick time

The article 5 Eco Tips That We Learned About, Thanks to Mathematics was originally posted on Ecobnb.

College and university students often find it hard to stay eco-friendly. Having tons of assignments makes it hard to stay green in every way. It’s always easier to choose less eco-friendly and less time-consuming options. However, if being busy is not the case or if you have an essay writer online willing to help you handle your academic burden, it’s time you thought about your footprint and took on some initiatives to be eco-friendlier.

Learn More About Recycling

Recycling really works if you do it right. Just learn a few rules about managing your waste, and you’ll make the planet greener. Moreover, it’s useful not only for the environment. You can actually earn on recycling if you do it right.

Buy Used Books

You don’t have to buy new books all the time. Actually, it’s even advised not to do it. Inquire about books on sale. It will help you save money while also bringing some environmental benefits. After all, buying used books can save some trees from being cut. At the same time, there is literally no difference between newly purchased and used books regarding content value.

Be Selective

Another way to become greener and eco-friendlier is to reduce the number of supplies you purchase. This helps you save your money while cutting global production and decreasing waste. In other words, becoming more selective about your needs is definitely better for the environment.

Live Close

If you have the benefit of choosing where to live, choose to settle closer to your educational institution or even on-campus. First, you’ll have a few more minutes of sleep every morning. Secondly, you will decrease the environmental input significantly if you choose a bike over a car, for example. Needless to say, walking on foot is healthy for both you and nature.

Avoid Plastic

It is hard since everything is now being packaged in plastic, but you can at least try. Avoid single-use items. You can have a reusable cup, bottle, or whatever it is that you need. At the same time, try to avoid packages that cannot be reused. In cases where you don’t get to choose, you should at least recycle the plastic packaging.

Buy Secondhand Clothes

This is another healthy choice. Instead of chasing every single fashion trend, try to be humble in your choices. You don’t have to wear everything brand new to feel comfortable. Remember that secondhand shopping is healthier for the environment and also saves lots of your money.

Unplug Your Appliances

If you don’t use your appliances, unplug them from a power source. They keep sucking power even when they are not in use. This refers to laptops, mobile phones, and other gadgets. This attitude not only cuts down wasted electricity but also saves your dollars.

Avoid Water Waste

You should make an effort to conserve water by all means. First, turn the water off when you don’t use it. This includes the time you are brushing your teeth, for example. Also, you should check all faucets for drips. Water is scarce in some countries, so make sure you value this resource.

Donate Your Stuff

If there is anything that you don’t use, don’t hoard it. Free some space by simply donating stuff you don’t need. There must be someone who desperately needs things you are simply storing. At the same time, if you need anything but don’t want to overspend on it, you can easily find it online.

Use Less Paper

As a student, you need to print something from time to time. However, you may cut down the use of paper. Don’t print your homework or essays unless you are specifically required to do so. Also, you may decrease the use of paper while cooking by using a dishcloth instead of wiping everything up with a paper towel.

Shop Smart

When buying something, make sure you do it smartly. First of all, buy only those things that you definitely need. Secondly, think of the impact it has on the environment. Of course, locally produced goods should prevail in your cart. Just think of the ecological damage long-haul shipping causes. You cannot fix the problem globally, but you can make your contribution.

Takeaway

We encourage you to act eco-smart and do it by all means. Students – and youth in general – are the ones who can really make a difference and save our planet. You may not believe it, but a small effort from everyone every day makes a huge contribution to preserving the environment. Make it your habit, and it will shortly become your lifestyle.

Cover image: Photo by Guillaume de Germain on Unsplash

The article 11 Eco-Friendly Habits to Implement Your College Routine was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Do you want to make your skincare routine more sustainable but aren’t sure how? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of seven easy ways that you can make your skincare routine more eco-friendly.

From using natural ingredients to reducing the amount of packaging, these tips will help you make small changes that have a big impact. Let’s get right into it!

1. Pay attention to the ingredients

Most people don’t think twice about the ingredients in their skincare products. However, if you’re looking to make your routine more sustainable, it’s important to pay attention to what’s going into your products.

Many conventional skincare products contain unsustainable ingredients like palm oil, plastic microbeads, and synthetic fragrances. These ingredients can have a detrimental effect on the environment, and they’re often not necessary for the product to work effectively.

On the other hand, there are plenty of sustainable ingredients that can be used in natural skincare products. Plant-based oils and butters, like coconut oil and Shea butter, are great alternatives to conventional oils. Natural exfoliants like jojoba beads or ground coffee beans are also gentle on the environment and your skin.

When you’re shopping for organic skincare products, take a moment to read the ingredient label. If you see any unsustainable ingredients, consider finding a more sustainable alternative.

2. Don’t waste water

It takes a lot of water to produce the skincare aesthetic products we use every day. In fact, it takes about 2,400 gallons of water to make just one gallon of face cream. So, when we waste water during our skincare routines, we’re actually wasting a valuable resource. Plus, when we do our skincare routines, we usually let the water run freely without ever considering the fact that it has a negative impact on our environment. Here are some quick tips on how to preserve water:

• Use a basin or bowl instead of running the tap when cleansing your face. Simply fill the basin with water and use a clean cloth to wash your face. You can also save water by using less cleanser – just put a pea-sized amount on your fingertips and work it into your skin.
• Don’t let the water run while you’re shaving. Wet your skin and razor first, then turn off the tap until you’re ready to rinse.
• When exfoliating, use dry brushes or sugar scrubs that don’t require any water. If you do use a wet scrub, apply it to dry skin and then turn on the water just long enough to rinse it off.
• Invest in a quality moisturizer, so you don’t have to reapply as often. And, when you do moisturize, use just enough to cover your skin – there’s no need to slather it on.

3. Choose laser hair removal vs disposables razors

When it comes to body hair removal, there are a few different options available. You can shave, you can use depilatory creams, or you can get laser hair removal. Out of these three choices, laser hair removal is the most sustainable option. Here’s why:

• You don’t have to keep buying new products – With shaving and depilatory creams, you have to keep buying new products every time you run out. This means that there is a constant stream of packaging and waste being generated. With laser hair removal, however, you only need to find a good clinic. There are no ongoing costs or waste generation.

• It’s more efficient – Laser treatment is much more efficient than other methods of hair removal. This means that you can save time and effort in the long run. Shaving and depilatory creams can be quite time-consuming, and they often don’t give you a completely smooth finish. With laser hair removal, you can achieve smooth, long-lasting results in just a few sessions.

• It’s better for your skin – Laser hair removal is gentle on your body and doesn’t cause side effects like irritation or inflammation. This is in contrast to shaving and depilatory creams, which can often leave your skin feeling dry and irritated. If you have sensitive skin, laser hair removal is definitely the best option. Lasers completely shut down your hair follicle, which completely stops hair growth.

Overall, laser hair removal is the most sustainable FDA- approved choice for hair removal, and it’s suitable for all skin tones and types. It’s more efficient and gentle on your skin, and there are no ongoing costs or waste generation. If you’re looking for a permanent hair removal solution that works on all body areas like the upper lip and the bikini area, laser hair removal is the way to go.

4. Shop from brands that give back to planet earth

Shopping from skincare brands that give back to planet earth is more sustainable for a number of reasons. First, these brands are typically more environmentally conscious and use sustainable practices in their manufacturing processes. This means that they have less of an impact on the environment overall.

Additionally, these cosmetic brands often support charitable causes related to environmental protection or sustainability like recycling plastic bottles, which furthers their commitment to making a positive difference. Plus, shopping from these brands supports the growth of the sustainable skin care industry, which is vital for creating long-term change. By supporting these businesses, we can help make the world a healthier and more sustainable place.

5. Choose cleansing balm over face wipes

When it comes to cleansing your face, there are many different options available on the market today. Face wipes have become increasingly popular in recent years, but there is another option that is more sustainable and just as effective – face cleansing balms.

Face cleansing balms are made with natural ingredients that are gentle on the skin and won’t strip away its natural oils. This makes them ideal for those with sensitive skin or who are looking for a more natural option. Face wipes, on the other hand, often contain harsh chemicals and fragrances that can irritate the skin.

In addition to being more gentle on the skin, face cleansing balms are also more sustainable than face wipes. Face wipes typically come in single-use packaging that is not recyclable or biodegradable. Face cleansing balms, on the other hand, are often packaged in reusable or recycle-friendly containers.

6. Recycle or re-use your product containers

When it comes to sustainable living, reusing and recycling are two of the most important things you can do. And when it comes to your skincare products, the same principles apply. Reusing eco-friendly packaging is a great way to reduce waste and help the environment. And it can also save you money in the long run. Here are some tips on how to reuse or recycle your skincare product containers:

• Clean out empty makeup bottles and use them as travel-sized containers for your favorite products.
• Recycle glass jars to store small items like beads, buttons, or nails.
• Buy from brands that offer refills. Lush is one example – they have a wide range of products that can be refilled at their stores. Kiehl’s also offers a limited selection of refillable products.

7. Use reusable cotton pads and brushes

One small but impactful way to reduce your environmental footprint is to switch to reusable cotton pads and brushes. Cotton is a natural fiber that biodegrades quickly, making it a much more sustainable option than synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. Plus, by using reusable cotton pads and brushes instead of disposable ones, you’ll save money in the long run and cut down on waste.

Conclusion

While making small tweaks to your skincare routine can seem daunting, it’s important to remember that every little bit helps. By incorporating some of these tips into your daily or weekly routine, you can help make your beauty regimen more sustainable and reduce the amount of waste you produce each year. Have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!

The article 7 Ways to Make Your Skin Care Routine More Sustainable was originally posted on Ecobnb.

Why is remote work beneficial for the green movement?

After the start of the world pandemic in 2020, our world has changed drastically and absolutely for good. We all are even more conscious now about our health than before. We clean our hands better and more often than ever, and, of course, we avoid human contact everywhere we can.

But this problem is not the only one we are facing in the 21st century: the aftermath of global warming is here, and we have little to no time to change our ways and save the planet for future generations. The green movement is more vital than ever now, and, surprisingly, the global pandemic helped it a lot by changing our views on working remotely.

Today we will talk about why your new remote working life can be beneficial for Earth and how it will help us save the planet from global warming. Let’s get to it.

Photo by Yasmina H on Unsplash

Fewer cars on the streets

Choosing eco-friendly options for transportation is one of the best ways to help reduce gas emissions that torture our planet. Of course, purchasing a bike over a car or an electric vehicle over a traditional one is a big step in the right direction.

However, remote work introduces an even better solution: you don’t have to travel to your workplace at all! When you work at home, you can use your car only a couple of times a week at non-busy hours, where there’s no traffic and excessive gas usage.

And it benefits not only nature, but you too: you get more time for yourself, previously used to get to work, you save some money on gas, and you reduce your stress levels because you don’t get into traffic every day on your way to work.

photo via Canva Pro

Improving the air quality

This part is a by-product of the first one because it is obvious that little cars on the roads equal low air pollution. Well, at least lower, for sure.

Of course, remote working can contribute to other areas and influence the start of more sustainable development of your city or a country overall. When most of your citizens work at home, you get less office waste, reduced gas emissions, and more healthy people.

Now we need not a new highway in your city, but new parks near our homes, new stores, and schools. Urban development will now focus on giving people what they need at home, not work, because they spend most of their time there.

Less paper used, more work goes online

This is one of the biggest parts of green marketing that we should introduce into our office lives. Reducing paper waste is a big deal, especially in our day and age when using paper for everything is just unnecessary.

We already can get an education through remote learning, and most of the paperwork that previously could be only hand-signed can now be signed with your digital signature.

As for the workers themselves, we can now use a plethora of tools created for online working without using paper at all. We now have the luxury to use Zoom for online meetings, Xero for bookkeeping purposes, screen capturers to record brainstorms, etc. Designers do not need paper presentations like in the 1950s to present their ideas: they have photo editing software and an online video editor for their tasks.

Overall we can reduce using paper in day-to-day office life to a minimum using software that was created to replace paper things. And with every choice you make in favor of digital tools, you give one happy tree another day of life.

Photo by Simon Abrams on Unsplash

Power consumption is on the low end

A great way to lessen your carbon footprint is to lower your power consumption. Big companies with dozens of employees use a tremendous amount of energy to keep the working process running. The lights are always on in hallways and offices, thousands of PCs are never off, and air conditioners should be really powerful (and energy-consuming) to make the climate in the huge office space pleasant.

But when you work at home, you use much less energy to run your PC, your task manager, video editing software, CRM program, or accounting software. You will need only one lamp (if you even need it), you will open your window for fresh air, and will shut down your computer once you’re done. And you consume a minimal amount of energy daily compared to the amount you would have consumed at work.

More opportunities for conscious consuming

When you spend most of your day at home, you can finally embrace conscious consumption to the fullest. You can buy food and products in stocks and bulks, reducing the number of journeys to the supermarket to one or two per week, instead of every day.

Another benefit of buying more is that you can choose local food that uses far less plastic in packaging and less energy to get to you. And finally, if you cook at home, you help reduce waste from a take-out and improve your health with delicious and healthy homemade food. It decreases the chances of you getting sick and going to the hospital to get treatment, thus less waste.

Final thoughts

Will remote work be a new reality for all workers? Probably not for all, but some of the office jobs can and should be transferred to homes to help our poor planet recover from the damage we have done to it.
First, tech companies inspired the green movement by sending most of the workers to do their jobs at home, and now even the most conservative ones do it. It is a great trend, and we sincerely hope that these small steps will help us preserve Earth for future generations in its best shape.

The article How remote work can help in a fight against global warming in the 21st century was originally posted on Ecobnb.

In order to contrast climate change, it is vital that everyone does something concrete every day. Here are 10 useful tips to fight climate change.

The effects of climate change are more and more worrying. Recently a new report has been published by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an ONU organization that deals with climate change and its consequences. The data are up-to-date and alarming.

It has been proved that the last five years have been the warmest ones since 1850 and that the levels of CO2 in the air are really high. This contributes to the rise in temperature and to the blaze of fires. Glaciers are also melting and that means that a lot of species are in danger. Rising seas will force a lot of people to move because the coastal areas will be unfit for habitation.

These consequences are strongly bond to human activities.

However, according to the report, not everything is lost. If everyone, both Governments and citizens, committed, we would get good results and we would contribute to slow this alarming process down.

What can we do every day to contrast climate change? Here are 10 useful and practical tips.

1. Plant new trees and protect forests

Photo by kazuend on Unsplash

Planting new trees can seem an ordinary and insignificant gesture. Actually, it is very important and it can hugely contribute to contrast climate changes. Trees have a lot of benefits: they absorb co2 and improve air’s quality; they help maintain low temperatures and preserve biodiversity. They also guarantee a healthy and balanced lifestyle. For this reason, it is crucial not to damage forests. In addition to this, if you have the possibility, you should plant as many as trees and flowers in your garden.

2. Preserve the oceans

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen on Unsplash

Oceans, as well as forests, help to absorb co2 and to maintain low temperatures. However, also oceans are in danger: species are threatened by intensive fishing and they are sadly often used as landfills. In fact, oceans are full of garbage and effluent. Sadly, we all know plastic islands. Even though this problem seems bigger than us and we feel helpless, we all must commit and do our best. It is important not to pollute beaches and leave wastes. We should also clean them. In addition to this, we should limit fish consumptions or buy sustainable fishing products.

3. Improve the energy efficiency of your house

Photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash

To limit energy consumptions in our houses it is important to make conscious choices and investments. Even though they are expensive, they will really worth it economically and environmentally in the long period.  You should install solar panels to heat water and photovoltaic ones to produce green energy and be self-sufficient. It is also important to isolate buildings in order to save energy. In this respect, you should opt for low consumption led bulbs. Never forget not to leave appliances in stand-by mode. Also remember to substitute old appliances and fix damaged ones.

4. Choose sustainable means of transportations

Photo by Maixent Viau on Unsplash

Means of transportation that employ petrol are the major responsible of global warming and climate changes in general. Therefore you should purchase hybrid or electric cars, use public means of transportation or, even better, go on foot or ride your bike. Even when you travel you should opt for trains instead of airplanes and ships.

5. Reduce plastic usage

Photo by Kristina Balić on Unsplash

Nowadays we are all well aware of the fact that plastic is a harmful material and we shouldn’t use it. For example, you should quit buying products with plastic packaging such as food and beverages. Alternatively, you should go for loose products or the ones with more sustainable packaging, for example paper and glass ones. To stop buying plastic bottles, you should have a reusable bottle always with you. Stop purchasing single use products and the ones that nowadays you can find made with sustainable products, such as bamboo toothbrushes and reusable cotton pads.

6. Dispose waste correctly

Photo by Blanca on Flickr

One of the golden rules to help the environment and contrast climate changes is to recycle waste. Even though in many countries such as Italy waste are collected door-by-door, we must contribute and always dispose them correctly. If you have a garden, you may find it interesting to make your own compost. It is very useful since you recycle your organic waste. In addition to this, your plants will benefit from this homemade fertiliser.

7. The three Rs: recycle, reuse and recycle

Photo by Shanna Camilleri on Unsplash

Nowadays we are used to buying a lot of useless things: from objects to clothes, low prices offered by chain shops tempt us. Consequently, we buy also thing we don’t need. This is harmful for our Planet since resources are exploited with no reasons. For example, it has been proved that fast fashion industry is one of the most polluting. For this reason we should limit our purchases and only buy what we really need. We should fix a broken object instead of buying a new one. Moreover, we should give away thing we don’t use anymore instead of throwing them away. Giving a new life to old objects is a wonderful way to save our planet.

8. Invest in renewable energies

Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash

Renewable energies are important to contrast climate changes. In fact, solar power, wind energy, water power and geothermal energy are sustainable and not polluting. That means that we will benefit from them also in the future. If you haven’t already done it, you should change your energy provider and opt for a green one.

9. Vegan nutrition: an ally against climate changes

Photo by Victoria Shes on Unsplash

Even intensive farming for the production of meat, eggs and dairy products contribute to climate changes. It would be ideal that we all opt for vegan nutrition, but this change could be a bit difficult for most. However, we can change our nutrition by improving our habits. We should limit meat consumption and choose fruits, vegetable, legumes and cereals. It is important to buy seasonal products and organically-grown ones. Having a vegetable garden it is also a great way to adopt a more sustainable nutrition.

10. Develop sustainable habits

Photo by Anna Oliinyk on Unsplash

Don’t forget to pay attention to your routine. It doesn’t take too much to make the difference: always remember to switch off the lights when you don’t need them, take short showers instead of long baths, use rain water for your garden. Our consume habits could be changed and be more sustainable, too. Opt for small and local businesses, buy craft products and invest in quality and lasting goods.

Even though climate change scare us and we sometimes feel powerless, it is important not to lose hope and do something every day. Every small gesture can make a difference.

Cover image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

The article 10 Simple Solutions to Contrast Climate Change was originally posted on Ecobnb.

More and more people pursue green living to benefit the environment. They lead an eco-friendly lifestyle to save nature and take care of future generations. Environmentally responsible individuals pay much attention to the apartment they rent, preferring eco-friendly accommodation. Apart from helping the planet, they also enjoy the personal advantages of this way of living. Some of them are listed below, so keep reading!

• High efficiency: eco-friendly apartments use energy-efficient lighting and household solutions, which help to reduce energy consumption and cut bills.
• Better air quality: green apartments are built using non-toxic materials and equipped with good ventilation systems, which enables improved air filtration and makes the air less susceptible to mold and dust accumulation.
• Convenient location: eco-conscious constructors typically locate their building near frequently used and well-connected stops, stores, post offices, and other businesses, which enables walkable access to public areas.
• Improved life quality: green apartments that ensure fresh air and soft water can improve health and overall well-being, which results in enhanced quality of life.

Essay examples for students

Sustainable living is one of the most commonly discussed topics at schools and colleges. Students are taught the basics of an eco-friendly lifestyle from an early age, so they can develop more responsibility. Hence, one of the most popular types of writing assignments given to them is an essay on environmental issues. While reading some paper samples at Writingbros, students learn a lot about different ways to save the planet from air pollution and water contamination. But apart from that, there is also some valuable information about the importance of eco-accommodation for successful homeschooling.

If you also want to know how to choose a good eco-friendly flat to study at home, consider the information given below.

1. Check the lighting

Photo by Norbert Levajsics on Unsplash

One of the most important aspects of the right study space is proper lighting. While choosing a green apartment, look at the kind of lighting you are going to use. Note that studying in a poorly lit or dim space can damage your eyesight and make you ineffective. Healthcare experts say that reading or writing in the dark can strain your eyes and disrupt your health. So make sure that there is enough natural light that can ease the learning process. However, if there is too much light that heats your flat, you should take care of a set of blinds or shades to keep your space cool without using an AC system.

2. Ask for a standing desk

Photo by Standsome Worklifestyle on Unsplash

You probably know that sitting for long periods of time can have a negative effect on your health, causing obesity and various ailments. So it would be better to pick a flat with a standing desk. If your landlord doesn’t offer it in your eco-accommodation, you should ask them to replace a standard one. Although using a standing desk may seem uncommon, it is actually very beneficial. Doctors say that this type of furniture can reduce back pain, improve mood, elevate energy, and even boost your learning productivity.

3. Have a look at the ventilation

Photo by Petter Rudwall on Unsplash

As was mentioned above, air quality affects your well-being a lot. Therefore, ventilation is one of the most important things to remember when selecting an eco apartment. Make sure that the area where you are going to study is well insulated, so you can feel good during the hot summer months. Proper ventilation is vital for your comfort when studying at home since it prevents the space from being too cold or too humid. Note that if the environment makes you feel uncomfortable, this will cause stress and interfere with studying.

4. Remove distractions

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

Obviously, concentration is the key to effective learning. Since it’s vital for academic success, you should do your best to keep your mind fully focused on the task. Note that if an apartment is cluttered, you won’t be able to stay productive as this may distract you. Therefore, make sure that your new flat is clean and minimalist. What’s more, it would be great if it didn’t provide access to TVs and radios, which may bother you. Removing all the distractions will help you to stay highly effective even when getting a degree from home.

Final thoughts

Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

Eco apartments are extremely popular now, especially among students that were taught environmental responsibility in their childhood. Many of them are searching for opportunities to rent an eco-friendly flat in London or other big cities. But the question is ‘How to choose the one that will be suitable for distance learning?’ Hopefully, this article gave you some valuable insights about selecting the best eco-accommodation.

Cover image: Photo by Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

Author’s BIO: James Collins is a researcher and eco-activist. His aim is to prevent damage to the environment by running different social and political campaigns. James believes that people can make the world a better place if they do their best to save nature around them.

The article How to rent a good Eco Apartment for studying at home was originally posted on Ecobnb.

When you think of an ideal bedroom you are thinking about a space that inspires comfort and good sleep. With the rising trend of increased workload and interference of technology in our everyday life, more and more people around the globe are reporting trouble sleeping. With the ever-growing threat of global warming and heightened carbon emission, what we as responsible human beings should strive to achieve is a sustainable way of living with the broader aim of conserving the natural resources of our precious home planet. It is therefore an amazing endeavor to move towards a bedroom that comprises more eco-friendly products rather than synthetic and toxic ones. Let us without further ado look at some of the ways in which we can achieve eco-friendly sleeping and how it can impact our lives for the better.

1. Opt for non-toxic paints

Most synthetic paints are comprised of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), prolonged exposure to which can lead to a number of health problems such as liver damage, kidney failure, cancer, etc. To avoid exposure to these harmful fumes, and minimize contamination of the environment, you should pick paints that are environmentally friendly and non-toxic in nature. Such paints are mostly made up of materials such as plant-based pigments, milk protein, natural minerals, essential oils, etc. For an improved sleeping experience, consider picking lighter shades of green and blue rather than stimulating bright shades of red and yellow or dull hues like gray and black.

photo via Canva Pro

2. An organic mattress

One of the biggest favors that you can do to the health of your sleep and that of your planet is opting for mattresses made of organic materials. When you look closely into the composition of your synthetic mattresses, you realize that most of them contain materials that can prove harmful in multiple ways and are mostly non-biodegradable. Foam mattresses, for example, contain toxic components like isocyanates, naphthalene, benzene, etc. Similarly, latex mattresses made using chemicals can contain VOCs and other allergens. On the other hand, using organic mattresses made from natural materials such as coconut husk, organic wool, cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc., ensures better breathability, prevention against skin allergies, recyclability, and prevention against harmful pesticides, dyes, adhesives, etc.

3. The bedding material

Just as organic mattresses, you should be looking to choose more naturally available materials over synthetic ones. Sheets, pillow covers, quilts, etc., made with a polyester blend or foam pillows that contain polyurethane can cause a number of ailments to your body such as troubled breathing, skin rashes, allergy, etc. The polyurethane manufacture process is involved in heavy carbon dioxide emission whereas the production of polyester can lead to widespread water and air contamination. Go for natural materials such as silk, cotton, linen, wool, bamboo, lyocell, etc. Not only do these materials prevent heat-trapping and skin irritations but are also comfortable enough to ensure that you complete your required 7 to 9 hours of sleep on a consistent basis.

photo via Canva Pro

4. Home décor that is greener

By a greener home décor, we mean decorative items that are environment-friendly such as energy-efficient lighting, wooden candle holders, placing indoor plants, using curtains made of linen or hemp, etc. Replacing your regular old synthetic decorative items with more sustainable materials like clay, wood, natural fibers, etc., can have a drastic impact on the room’s appearance and your health. Get rid of traditional high voltage lights and invest in CFLs or LED bulbs that can cut your energy expenditure drastically and help improve sleep quality due to their softer light. Cut back your power usage further in the daytime by opening your windows wide in the morning to increase your sunlight exposure and facilitate the flow of fresh air in the room. Fill your bedroom, window sills, and balcony area with plants such as the snake plant, aloe vera, the peace lily, etc., that boost air circulation and combat toxic gases. Recycle old wooden blocks and bamboo pieces into decorative items such as photo frames, flower vases, pen holders, etc.

photo via Canva Pro

5. Choosing your furniture

Researchers in the past have found that the average sofas, beds, and carpets that come with a lining of flame retardants meant to suppress fire incidents can prove hazardous when such events occur. The chemicals used in inlining can react with the fire to release harmful gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Similarly, furniture made from engineered wood while being comparatively cheaper is laced with toxic components like formaldehyde. Such wood is manufactured in factories under extreme pressure and fail to last long when put in use. It is therefore wise to invest in solid wood furniture, even if it is a used one. Using products made from recycled wood, therefore, reduces the strain on the environment by preventing factory waste and cutting of trees. Apart from wood, you can also go for furniture made from reclaimed glass and metal.

photo via Canva Pro

Bottom line

Eco-friendly sleeping is a fragment of an overall eco-friendly living where you try to replace lifestyle habits with those that help reduce the carbon footprints such as carpooling, using bicycles, eating seasonal foods, and switching to cleaner forms of energy. If you haven’t yet tried out these habits, following the above-mentioned tips to achieve an eco-friendly sleeping environment can prove as just the start you need.

Cover image: photo via Canva Pro

The article How Eco-Friendly Sleep Can Make Your Whole Life Better was originally posted on Ecobnb.