As many people are being told to get back to work, it is important that we don’t just rush headlong into our old lives. We need to pause, reflect, and think about what ‘business as usual’ means. What was wrong with our former ways of life? And what might we be able to change for the better?
There are a number of small things that we can all do to try to improve sustainability in our daily lives. Of course, our health and the health of those around us is paramount. But we need to keep in mind the health of the planet and its ecosystems too. We have to make sure that we don’t surge forward, so eager to get back to business as usual that we fail to take advantage of our opportunities to change things for the better.
If you are one of the many returning to work outside the home after months of remote working, there are several areas to focus on when it comes to sustainability:
- How you get to work. (Could you walk or cycle more, for example? Could you talk to your boss about continuing to work remotely, at least some of the time?)
- What you eat and drink outside the home. (Taking your own packed lunches can save money, and can also help you reduce waste and make more ethical and sustainable food and drink choices. And of course, we can take reusable containers with us wherever we go.)
- What you wear to work. (If you don’t have a uniform, you may be investing in a new wardrobe for work after all this time. Are you making sustainable clothing choices? Could you choose second hand? Or create a capsule wardrobe of high-quality, long-lasting sustainable apparel items? How can you reduce your reliance on ‘plastic’ clothes?)
- Waste in the office space. (Think about how you might be able to influence sustainability measures in your workplace. How can you use your voice and convince others to join you on your journey to a more sustainable way of life?)
If you need help to overhaul your workplace, or tips for a career change that could allow you to live in a more sustainable way, please do get in touch.
EWSP Consultancy 