Climate Change&You

W h a t y o u

c a n d o at the office

Business and home offices 

use a significant amount 

of electricity for heating 

and cooling, lighting, and 

operating equipment. 

Here are a number of easy 

ways to reduce greenhouse 

gas emissions and help 

make the air cleaner.

Resources

ENERGY STAR: 

www.energystar.gov

Federal Fuel Economy Guide: 

www.fueleconomy.gov

EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide: 

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles

EPA’s Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle 

Web site: www.epa.gov/msw/

reduce.htm

EPA’s Electronics Recycling Web 

site: www.epa.gov/eCycling

ENERGY STAR Buildings Web 

site: www.energystar.gov/

buildings

EPA’s Climate Change: What You 

Can Do at the Office Web site: 

www.epa.gov/climatechange/

wycd/office.html

1. Manage office equipment energy use better

Office equipment and electronics use energy even when idle or on stand-by. To save 

energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at work, always activate the power 

management features on your computer and monitor, unplug laptop power cords when 

not in use, and turn off equipment and lights at the end of the day. Consider using a power 

strip that can be turned off when you’re done using your computers, printers, wireless 

routers, and other electronics. 

2. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified products for the office

When buying new products for your office at work or at home, get the features and 

performance you want and help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. 

Look for ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment, such as computers, copiers, and 

printers, in addition to more than 50 product categories, including lighting, heating and 

cooling equipment, and commercial appliances.

3. Ask your office building manager if your office building has 

earned the ENERGY STAR 

ENERGY STAR-labeled buildings provide safe, healthy, and productive environments that 

use about 35 percent less energy than average buildings. Their efficient use of energy also 

reduces the total operational cost of the building.

4. Use less energy for your commute

Switch to public transportation, carpooling, biking, telecommuting, and other innovative 

ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your way to and from work. 

Encourage your employer to offer commuter benefits that address limited or expensive 

parking, reduce traffic congestion, improve employee recruiting and retention, and 

minimize the environmental impacts associated with drive-alone commuting. If you do 

drive, find out the fuel efficiency of your vehicle using EPA’s and DOE’s Fuel Economy Web 

site, and make more environmentally informed choices when purchasing your next vehicle 

by using EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide. 

5. Reduce, reuse, and recycle

Recycle office paper, newspapers, beverage containers, electronic equipment, and 

batteries. Reducing, reusing, and recycling in your office helps conserve energy, 

and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. 

You can reduce, reuse, and recycle at the office by 

using two-sided printing and copying, buying 

supplies made with recycled content, and 

recycling used printer cartridges. For your old 

electronics, investigate leasing programs to 

ensure reuse and recycling or donate used 

Office of Air and Radiation (6207J) equipment to schools or other organizations.

EPA 430-F-07-009

www.epa.gov 

June 2007 

Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper

(Minimum 50% Postconsumer) 

Process Chlorine Free