/>
James Woodson/Getty
READ MORE ABOUT:
Earth Day is the perfect time to look back on the green challenges you've set yourself and see how you're faring, as well as set new ones for the coming year. But before you commit yourself to every park clean-up and environmental fad that comes along, check this guide: We've collected the terms, ideas, and trends that are making news when it comes to work and social networks. Find out how working at home saves energy, what the triple bottom line is, and how devoting a few hours of free time for volunteering work each week can make the Earth a better place for all of us—long after Earth Day has come and gone.
- Work from Home
It's impossible to deny the appeal of working from home: You can wear whatever you want, take long lunches with no one to stop you, and hit the gym at off-peak times. But as companies look for ways to trim costs and the rest of us look for ways to trim our carbon footprint, telecommuting offers up benefits beyond outsmarting the line at the treadmill. Employees cut out the waste that comes with everything from taking the subway in the morning to ordering take-out for lunch, while employers can cut overhead by using less office space and fewer utilities. A basic teleconferencing system keeps you in touch, while a healthy indoor environment and sunny home office may just make you more productive than your cubicle-bound coworkers. - Find the Green Collar Economy and Green Jobs
Greening the job you already have is one thing, but supporting efforts to create jobs that promote sustainability and green living is another step altogether. Environmental activist and Obama's green czar Van Jones points out that encouraging what he calls "The Green Collar Economy" targets poverty and environmental issues at the same time; and with traditional jobs falling by the wayside as the economy drops, emphasizing the creation of jobs in the green sector isn't a bad plan. Increasingly, these jobs are more and more available, so consider making your next job search a green one. - Be Part of the Volunteering and Community Service Zeitgeist
Since Obama's made a public call to service for citizens of the United States, volunteering has been on our collective mind more than ever. Combine your environmental passion with your weekend-warrior time donations and make a difference outside your home or office by cleaning up parks, planting trees, traveling abroad (and buying carbon offsets), or working at a local CSA. Connecting with other green-minded people outside your daily routine will do wonders for your environment and your social circle. - Find Green Ways to Make Money
It's no secret that going green can save you money that you'd otherwise spend, but in some cases it can actually help you increase your income. Look into turning trash into treasure by selling your old cell phone, saving recyclables to get the rebates, or posting goods you're finished with on eBay or Craigslist. If you're more technologically inclined, try refurbishing electronics for resale. And, of course, getting a green job also helps you save the planet while bringing home a steady paycheck. - Swapping Is the New Shopping
Swapping and bartering are some of the world's oldest ways to trade goods and services—and even though they fall out of the spotlight during boom times, these are practical, easy ways to exchange the stuff you already have for the stuff you need or want. Sites like Freecycle and Craigslist make finding a local swap easier than trawling thrift stores for that one-of-a-kind coffee table or the perfect vintage black cardigan; while everything you offer (or receive) should be in good condition, don't underestimate the power of a coat of paint or some quick repairs with a needle and thread. And you can save money and resources by putting your talents to good use, too: Try hitching a ride with a coworker to cut on commute emissions in exchange for a basket of fresh veggies from your garden in the summer months. Think you're above the experience? A recent Vogue article reported that swapping is hot this season among New York "It" girls, and even artists and doctors are getting in on the bartering action. - Democracy: Coming to a Workplace Near You
Luckily, putting green changes in place at work doesn't have to mean hiring a special task force, assigning an administrative assistant three months worth of research, or leaving every last change up to the CEO. Ask the facilities manager about lowering the pre-set temperature (or giving you access to the thermostat); the office manager about ordering eco-friendly supplies, and fewer of them; the janitor about switching to environmentally-friendly cleaners; and the mailroom guy about cutting back on shipping materials. The beautiful thing about going green is that you can—and should—take advantage of every employee's individual expertise for a better workplace. - Going Green Can Save you Money at Work
When it comes to making your office more eco-friendly, it's easy to find the happy intersection of going green, saving money, and creating a more efficient workplace. Paper-saving download programs let you prevent wasted sheets (and cut back on your bill), while trimming the supply cabinet and giving up paper cups and plates in the break room affects waste output and the bottom line. And to save money while increasing productivity, keep your employees healthy with environmentally-friendly chairs, desks, interior paint, and daylighting for improved indoor air quality. - The Triple Bottom Line
Green business is about more than just money: It requires focusing on what's called the triple bottom line—the trifecta of ecology, equity, and economy—which allows employees, investors, and owners to see how all three pieces work together to form a whole. Marking out the resources you're devoting to sustainability and the steps you're taking toward a healthy social atmosphere—instead of just adding up the profits and expenses—means keeping the big picture in mind (and not relegating environmental issues to the back burner).
