Home & Garden...

Whether you use your home office infrequently, such as for simply paying bill, or work at home full-time, you can create a space that's both user friendly and green. Use these tips to create a green office, or to simply green up the office you have.

Buy recycled whenever possible: You can recycled versions of copy paper, printer cartridges, pens, mailing supplies, furniture and more. Also, just because it says recycled doesn't make it the best. Look for the highest recycled content products you can find. To learn more about recycled content read: Recycling Terms You Should Know.

Turn off any equipment when you're not using it. Also, if possible, unplug items. Even when a printer, shredder, or other electric piece of equipment is plugged in, it's draining energy.

If it isn’t totally dead... : Don't buy new. If all it takes is some time and glue or nails why not fix that desk. Maybe all your shelves need is fresh paint. If you have to dispose of an item, be sure to give any usable items to charity or a pal. If you don't know where to recycle old computer equipment take a look at Where Can I Recycle My… or Who Can Recycle Your Office E-Waste.

Quit with the scratch pads: If you can, go digital. If you're a diehard paper user, use the back of junk mail, old bills, items you've printed on one side, and so on. You have plenty of used paper options around your home right now.

Light with halogen: Halogen can be a smart office choice; especially if you need precise light in a specific area. Plus they last much, much longer than plain incandescent.

Buy all green supplies: There are plenty of good green office supply websites, and basic office stores that offer green options. I'm sort of an Office Max girl, but I have to say that I like the Green Book from Office Depot, which is chock full of green items; from cleaners, to paper, to file cabinets.