Greenify Your Work From Home: A Sustainability Guide for Every Employee

​As we learn to live with the ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic, more businesses have returned to the office, however many remain to work remotely. As we settle into the comfort of our home offices, it's imperative to remember that our environmental impact doesn't diminish. That's where the partnership between LocalFi and Greenlight Solutions comes in, as the team of students created a sustainability guide for employees to educate about living a sustainable work-from-home lifestyle.

Greenlight Solutions, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for the next generation of sustainability leaders, has joined forces with LocalFi, an SEO Digital Marketing agency with a strong emphasis on community and environmental responsibility. This collaboration embodies the core values shared by both entities - a commitment to purpose-driven action, solutions-oriented thinking, equitable empowerment, and a forward-thinking vision. The heart of Greenlight Solutions' mission is the belief that sustainability solutions should be achievable and accessible to everyone. By partnering with LocalFi, they're taking a significant step towards realizing this vision, reaching out to work-from-home (WFH) businesses and team members with practical and affordable sustainability solutions.

Empowering Employees, One Green Step at a Time

The WFH sustainability guide crafted by LocalFi and Greenlight Solutioneers is a comprehensive toolkit designed to greenify homes and integrate sustainability seamlessly into daily routines. Recognizing that many individuals are either unaware of sustainable practices or deterred by cost and inconvenience, the project offers a tailored approach.

From energy-efficient lighting to water-saving strategies and waste-reduction techniques, the guide covers all major sustainability pillars. We also chose to include a sustainable meal planning guide that encourages mindful consumption habits, while an environmental action app provides ongoing inspiration and support. All these deliverables had the primary objective of empowering team members to become advocates for sustainability, sparking change within their communities and beyond.

Simple Solutions, Significant Impact

The beauty of the sustainability guide lies in its simplicity. It acknowledges that implementing sustainable practices can be daunting but reassures readers that even small changes can make a monumental difference. Whether switching to LED bulbs, installing low-flow faucets, or composting kitchen waste, every action contributes to a greener, more sustainable future. In today's remote work landscape, sustainability starts at home.


Our guide provides education about the environmental and cost savings from switching to these sustainability alternatives, for example, simple changes like switching to LED bulbs and utilizing fans instead of air conditioning have long-lasting effects that can be seen on utility bills. Opting for air-drying over a dryer saves energy and prolongs the life of clothes while imparting a fresh scent. We emphasize investing in efficient space heating, smart thermostats, and solar ovens as they harness natural resources to cut energy usage and costs. We also felt it was conducive to instruct on computer energy-saving tips to implement into your daily habits while working at home as they conserve energy and the life of your electronics. Implementing computer energy-saving settings and scheduling regular energy audits can further reduce energy consumption. Additionally, we wanted to instruct about ways to minimize water consumption, especially in Arizona and other areas at risk of droughts, as they can create long-lasting impacts. Some alternatives included upgrading to water-efficient toilets and shower heads, vertical hydroponic systems that offer a space-saving way to grow fresh produce indoors while conserving water, pool covers, and lawn conversion plants and greenery. Finally, we wanted to spread more awareness about the importance of composting as a waste reduction strategy along with recycling and choosing reusable materials over disposables to help minimize waste and promote a circular economy. A big emphasis we implemented was e-waste recycling becoming a normal practice amongst the workforce as responsible disposal of electronics through recycling prevents hazardous materials from harming the environment. By educating employees about the benefits of sustainability and providing actionable tips, the guide empowers individuals to make a positive impact on their lives and communities.

In a world where every action counts, the Work From Home Sustainability Guide is a beacon of hope, showing that simple changes can lead to significant results in building a more sustainable future. Yet, the journey towards sustainability doesn't end with implementation. Monitoring and evaluation are crucial aspects of the process, ensuring that efforts translate into tangible results. As LocalFi and Greenlight Solutions pave the way for a greener future, their next steps involve expanding sustainability efforts, monitoring systems, and continuing to empower employees.
 
A Greener Tomorrow, Together
 
In a world where environmental challenges loom large, collaboration is key. LocalFi and Greenlight Solutions have demonstrated the power of partnership, laying the groundwork for a greener and more sustainable future. By equipping WFH employees with the tools and knowledge they need to live sustainably, they're not just changing individual behaviors; they're catalyzing a global movement toward environmental stewardship.
 
Whether you're a WFH team member looking to greenify your home office or simply someone passionate about living sustainably, the sustainability guide crafted by LocalFi and Greenlight Solutions is a must-read. Together, let's embrace simple solutions and create a world where sustainability is not just a choice but a way of life. After all, the smallest actions today can lead to the greatest impact tomorrow.

​Authors:

Taylor McMahon - Project Lead
​Taylor McMahon received her Bachelor’s in Environmental Science at UCLA and is going into her second year of her Master's in Sustainability Solutions at ASU. She is also currently applying for a full-time position to pursue a career within the Corporate Sustainability field as she hopes to implement energy, water, and waste solutions, especially composting programs, into today’s leading film and fashion industries. Her dream is to work for Disney or another major film studio that can lead a circular economy structure into today’s market and produce real change for upcoming generations.
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Jillian Meehan - Solutioneer​
Jillian Meehan received her Bachelor’s in Sociology of Law, Crime, and Deviance from the University of Minnesota. She is now pursuing a Master of Sustainability Solutions at Arizona State University while she works for a nonprofit organization called Arizonans for a Clean Economy. Here, she works to educate the public about the economic and health benefits of a clean energy transition to build durable, bipartisan support for clean energy leadership in Arizona. Soon, she will travel to the Ecuadorian Amazon for a 6-week intensive language course to learn Kichwa – the most widely spread indigenous language in the Amazon basin. Jillian is interested in the intersection of renewable energy and community and indigenous-led sustainable development.
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Taylor Fisher - Solutioneer​
Taylor Fisher is entering her third year as an undergraduate student at ASU majoring in Computer Science. She is passionate about the intersections between technology, decision science, and equitable change, especially in the realm of sustainable agriculture. She is currently leading a team in the Engineering Projects In Community Service (EPICS) program at ASU and working with a researcher at the Conservation Innovation Lab, involving projects related to sustainable food systems.
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Sunandani Guntur - Solutioneer
Sunandani Guntur graduated with a Master’s degree in Environmental and Resource Management program at ASU. She is currently working as an Assistant Environmental Scientist at WSP USA Inc.,  supporting remediation projects in Maricopa County, Arizona. She aspires to work on Decarbonization projects and contribute towards sustainability.