5 Ways to be an Environmentally Friendly Freelancer
We’re a fan of anything that prevents pollution and makes our business run smoother, so we’re kicking our eco-friendly practices into high gear for Earth Day!
Check out our 5 favorite ways to be an environmentally friendly freelancer:
Go Paperless!
If you’re running an online business, it might be easier to go paperless than you think! Start taking notes digitally to cut out scrap paper, avoid printing things whenever possible, and use a digital agenda to keep track of everything you’ve got going on! Putting pen to paper might be a satisfying feeling, but nothing feels better than saving our planet.
Our favorite apps to help you go paperless:
Use recycled packaging and sustainable storage if you’re a product-based business!
Before you buy a collection of organization materials from The Container Store to hold your goods, check out your local thrift store or Goodwill to see what options they have! By saving these storage shelves and containers from the landfill, you are making a bigger impact than you might realize - on both your wallet and Earth!
When it’s time to ship your products, make sustainability a priority for your packages! Use less packaging, avoid mixing materials, and provide disposal instructions for your customers so they know when to do with their packing materials after they’ve opened their new goodies. Even the most fragile items can be mailed in sustainable packaging that keeps our products and planet safe.
Work from home or take public transportation!
Working from home can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars every year on gas, car maintenance, and parking fees. It can also save your home planet by releasing less carbon emissions and giving us more healthy air to breathe!
If you do need to venture out, consider taking public transportation whenever possible! Check out your local bus schedule, metro routes, and even ride-share systems to find the best way to get to your destination with a low carbon footprint.
While not every city is fortunate enough to have great public transit, the more you use it, the more your city will see that it is a priority to residents! If you’ve never used the local bus system in your town, consider this your challenge to hop on for a ride this year.
Furnish your office with second-hand finds!
Give your freelancing headquarters a new look with old furniture! Creating a home office can be expensive, but with the help of second-hand finds, you can fully furnish your space with unique treasures that truly make your space yours for a fraction of the financial and environmental cost.
Even well-loved pieces can have new life brought into them with a little bit of time and energy. Not only does thrifting save you money (and time if everything is in the same store!), but by not sending these items to the dump, you have cut back on carbon emissions and reduced the need for new furniture.
Support the environment with a charitable contribution!
If you’re finding trouble cutting out paper and staying at home as a freelancer, there is still a way for you to make a big impact as a small business by adding a charitable aspect to your mission. Consider donating a portion of profits to a local eco-friendly organization that you love, or working with a worldwide charity to plant a tree with each purchase from your company. Find a charity that aligns with your goals for the future - like more green spaces, protecting wildlife, and legislation that keeps businesses eco-friendly.
Charities to consider:
Go green with us and thousands of other freelancers as we change our work habits to change the planet. The limits are endless to where your business can make an impact on the world around us - so get creative to cut down on your carbon footprint and watch it improve both the planet AND your bottom-line.