The shift to remote work has changed a lot about our lives, not just how we work, but how we live day to day.
From higher electricity use to buying more bits to set up your office space, working from home can quickly increase our environmental footprint. But it also gives us more control over our energy use and the small daily habits that add up over time.
If you’re setting up a workspace at home, or just looking to make your routine a little more sustainable, here are a few practical places to start.
Use What You Have First
Before buying anything new, take stock of what you already own. A spare dining chair might not be ideal, but if it gets you through the day, that’s already a more sustainable choice.
If you do need to upgrade, start with secondhand. Marketplace, Gumtree and local op shops often have great home office finds in near-new condition Office furniture is one of those categories where near-new items flood the market regularly as people change jobs or return to the office.
If you need to invest in something new — especially bigger pieces like desks or chairs — take your time. Buy once, and buy well.
A few Australian brands to consider:
- Desky – sit-stand desks using FSC-certified wood and long-life frames
- Koala – recyclable materials and fast delivery across their office range
- Plyroom – Melbourne-made, sustainable timber furniture with non-toxic finishes
Skip the fast furniture. The cheap option now often ends up in landfill later.
Reduce Energy Use Without Sacrificing Comfort
The more hours you spend working from home, the more energy you’re likely to use, especially in winter when the lights and heaters stay on all day. A few small swaps can make your space more energy-efficient without compromising comfort.
If you can, set up near a window to make the most of natural daylight. It helps reduce energy use and can also improve your focus and mood. Switch bulbs to LEDs and choose a desk lamp that targets light where you need it most.
Open a window when possible, even short bursts of fresh air can improve ventilation and reduce indoor pollutants from heating, electronics or cleaning products.
Adding a few low-maintenance plants can help create a calm vibe, they also boost focus and reduce stress.
- Snake plant (Sansevieria) – thrives in low light and needs minimal watering
- ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – hardy and very easy to keep alive
- Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum) – fast-growing and easy to propagate
- Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – great for filtering air, a little dramatic when dry but recovers fast
All of these are easy to find at nurseries and plant stores and won’t mind being ignored most of the time.
Tidy Your Tech Habits
Even when it’s paperless, working from home still leaves a footprint. Cloud storage, email, streaming, and AI tools all depend on massive data centres. And those chew through a lot of energy, 24/7.
Start by cleaning up your inbox. Delete old emails, clear spam, and unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read can all reduce your slice of digital waste, and clear your headspace, too.
The same goes for cloud storage. Remove duplicates and organise files to reduce your digital load. And if you’re using AI or cloud-based tools (like we all are now), consider switching your devices to energy-saving mode or using them offline when you can.
Other simple changes:
- Use energy-saving settings on your devices
- Work offline when you don’t need the internet
- Try Ecosia for basic searches. It supports global reforestation projects by planting trees for every search
If you have old office gear lying around:
- Officeworks offers a free pen recycling program and accepts e-waste like cables, keyboards, and batteries.
- Planet Ark’s RecyclingNearYou helps locate local drop-off points for trickier items like printer cartridges, soft plastics, or even small appliances.
For stationery, look for recycled materials or refillable designs:
- Earth Greetings – Australian-made notebooks and cards in a range if cute prints and designs, all made using post-consumer recycled paper and vegetable inks
- Onyx & Green – available at Officeworks, with pens made from bamboo, tyres, and recycled water bottles
For more inspiration on setting up a functional and low-impact home workspace, check out these home office ideas that help you maximise space without unnecessary waste.
