If your morning ritual requires a cup of coffee, take it with you in a reusable travel mug. Some recommendations are stainless steel for its longevity and thermal properties. Additionally, it won’t leach any nasty chemicals like polystyrene that come from plastic and foam containers.
If you prefer to purchase your coffee on the go from your local brew shop, think about bringing your own mug. Many places will give you a discount for doing so.
Leave a mug at the office and enjoy another cup of coffee or an afternoon tea without having to use a disposable cup. Bring a mug that’s unique or one with your name on it, so you can easily identify which one belongs to you.
The same goes for drinking water. If you don’t have a water cooler at work, stash a glass or other reusable container and bring your own filtered water. That way you’re not tempted to purchase bottled water when your throat gets dry and you’ll save yourself some money and some bottles ending up in landfills.
Print things only when necessary. When you have to print, keep a box for used papers and materials. Other options are to use the left over paper as a place mat for lunch at your desk or reuse it as scrap paper for notes, phone numbers, or printing on the unused side. When you’ve exhausted its use, recycle it.
Since you have the ability to control exactly what you’re eating and how much, it’s cheaper and healthier to bring your own. Your options are limitless and the food is created with loving preparation. Toss in a reusable napkin, plate, utensils, and a healthy snack, and you’re good to go.
Reusing small paper bags from previous shopping excursions helps to recycle and saves money, or you can bring your lunch in a picnic basket and take an outdoor break at a local park.
When lunchtime rolls around, if you haven’t packed your own lunch, it’s wise to have your own doggie-bag in the form of Tupperware® or other washable, reusable containers for take-out or leftovers.
At the end of the day, take a minute to wash the reusable containers and cutlery. Now you’re all set to go with another day of disposable-free working. Don’t forget to turn off all the lights and electrical equipment (at the wall is best) when not in use.
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Photo credit — Travel mug. ©iStockphoto.com/Elhenyo
