At Les Petits Prödiges, we are committed to helping you discover and convert to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
We're sharing our tips to help you adopt a green routine every day.
And since a new month rhymes with a new Green challenge, after "Zero waste in my kitchen," here's our next challenge:

"Zero waste at the office"

At the start of the new year, when we got back to the office, we realized that while we were getting "greener" in our bathroom and kitchen, at the office, where we spend at least a third of our day, we were probably a little behind...

So we challenged ourselves to create a list of tips for being 100% responsible, even at the office!
But being green at the office still seems a bit limited, doesn't it? Apart from turning off the lights when leaving at night and avoiding printing everything, we don't really see how to reduce pollution...

Don't worry, we're here to help because there are plenty of simple eco-friendly actions you can take!
The idea is to gradually reduce waste, not to stop producing it completely. Don't aim too high, too fast.

According to a study by the Zero Waste France association:
- 83% of employees believe that waste management in their office is not optimal.
- And among them, 96% say they are willing to change certain work procedures to improve the sorting system.
Good news, right?! Let's get to it!

For example... Did you know that storing data, searching the internet, sending or saving an email—these everyday and indispensable actions that seem harmless—contribute to increasing our ecological footprint?

Many of our practices, even those we didn't suspect had an environmental impact, are very harmful to our planet.

So, here are our 10 green-friendly tips!

1. I print less!

An employee consumes between 70 and 85 kg of paper each year... That's HUGE!

Barely 35% of companies recycle paper, and 25% of sheets are thrown away five minutes after being printed.
So there's a lot of work to be done. Especially since French papermakers are short on raw materials...

Actions we know but are always good to remember:

I print:

• only if I really need to (especially emails)
• in black and white,
• double-sided,
• I recycle sheets used on only one side as scrap paper.

2. I put my computer to sleep

I set my computer's sleep system to go into standby mode after 5 minutes of inactivity (when I go to the coffee machine, for example), and to go into hibernation after 20 minutes (during a meeting).
In the evening, before leaving, I completely turn off my computer because even in standby, it still consumes 20 to 40% of energy. Oh, and I also remember to press the "off" button on the printer and the photocopier.
A end-of-day ritual that takes 2 minutes!

3. I clean my inbox

So, to make things easier, we first unsubscribe from all unnecessary newsletters (not the ones from Les Petits Prödiges, of course!).

We also avoid sending dozens of emails to colleagues. We prefer an instant messaging system, or for the more motivated, we transfer documents via USB stick.

A little help: There are tools to clean up your emails.
E.g.: The French startup Cleanfox scans your inbox and suggests a selection of what could be deleted. A simple gesture, accessible to everyone, to reduce digital pollution.
Planet Bonus: Every time someone is sponsored to use the Cleanfox app, a tree is planted in Zambia!

4. I use an eco-friendly search engine

To reduce my CO² emissions, I use a less energy-intensive search engine than the one we all know...
Some examples:

• Blackle.com, for example, uses black as its dominant color, which saves about 20% of energy per use.
• Ecosia.org, an eco-friendly search engine that donates 80% of its revenue to a tree-planting program in Brazil.
• Lilo.org, the French startup that collects "water drops" and donates 50% of its revenue to committed projects.

5. I hold meetings by phone or work from home.

I limit my business travel and thus my CO² production.
How? By avoiding crossing the entire city by taxi for a two-hour meeting and by preferring video conferences like Skype.
Working from home also increases productivity and improves mood!
Working from home reduces gas emissions and energy consumption.
On average, companies save about 10,000 euros per year per employee who works from home! Talk to your boss about it!!

6. I sort my waste

I avoid throwing paper, my coffee cup, and the rest of my sandwich into the same bin. To facilitate recycling, I use one bin for paper and cardboard and another for everything else: plastic, used cups, food scraps. If your company isn't equipped for sorting, talk to management – it's not (anymore!) normal!

7. I bring my mug, water bottle, and Tupperware

In France, we consume 126 cups per second and 32,000 tons of plastic waste per year. Very few are recycled.
When you know that a cup thrown into nature takes more than a century to decompose, you realize that the ecological impact of a simple coffee from the machine is enormous.
To make a small gesture, I bring my mug or a coffee thermos to the office and a stainless steel water bottle to replace my plastic water bottle. If I still have to take a disposable cup, I reuse it several times before throwing it away.

8. I ride my bike

If I don't live too far from my office, I play it chic and green with my own bike or by using a city bike (or other self-service bike). Not only ecological, but good for morale !
Some large cities have recently been invaded by electric scooters, a new ecological way to get around, so no more excuses!

It would also seem that cyclists are more fulfilled at work than their colleagues who use their cars or public transport, which tend to quickly fray nerves...
If I live too far, I opt for public transport or carpooling.

9. I always have a tote bag handy

No more plastic bags... To carry my lunch, mail my letters, or drop off orders. The tote bag accompanies me all day between the office, sports, and home.

We offer you ours made of 100% Organic Cotton: shop it here!

10. I don't crank up the heat!

Bonus Tips for Super Greens:
Cultivate your garden at work!

Nature has recognized beneficial properties for health and well-being. According to a survey of 3,600 employees in more than eight countries, employee productivity increases by 8% and their well-being by 13% when their work environment has plants and natural light.

So you can bring your green plants to the office! Some have real depolluting virtues, as their leaves absorb substances harmful to health (Aloe Vera, philodendron, azalea…)

And if you want to take it up a notch, why not suggest to your boss that you install a vegetable garden in the open-plan office?

And there you have it, no more excuses thanks to these easy habits to adopt that are good for our planet!

If you liked these tips, feel free to check out our article "Zero waste in my bathroom"!