With the global sustainability movement in full swing, there’s no denying we’re all searching for ways we can change our daily habits to help create a more sustainable future. 

From keep-cups to cloth shopping bags and investing our super in more ethical and sustainable companies, we’re doing what we can to ensure our small changes have a big impact. 

Here are just a few more ways how you and those around you can lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle at home and at work.

It might seem like a no-brainer but ensuring your office has adequate recycling capabilities and your co-workers are aware of what can actually be recycled is an absolute must. Let’s start with plastic. 

Despite the considerable efforts made by eco-warriors, we’re still consuming more plastic than ever before. While plastic and packaging recycling in Australia, for example, is relatively established, it’s still estimated that only 14 percent of plastic(opens in a new tab) is actually retrieved for recycling or energy recovery. 

So, what can you do about it? Beyond encouraging your office to avoid single-use plastic bags and plastic packaging, you can ensure the soft plastics you do use are recycled correctly. 

"It’s still estimated that only 14 percent of plastic is actually retrieved for recycling or energy recovery."

Organisations like Australia's REDcycle are here to help you keep plastic bags and packaging out of landfill. Their program allows offices to collect their soft plastics and drop them off at a nearby REDcycle(opens in a new tab) collection bin. These bins are located throughout the country and can also be found at a number of participating supermarkets. 

Soft plastics include everything from bread bags to pasta and rice bags, plastic bags, frozen food and veggie bags as well as biscuit packets (wrappers only). This plastic is then delivered to Replas(opens in a new tab), where it is used to create a range of recycled-plastic products including furniture, signage and fitness equipment. 

If you're in another country, hunt around for your best soft plastic recycling option and recommend it to your boss or team. If your office wants to do even more to fight the war on single-use plastic, they can also support companies that are working toward designing more recyclable, compostable or reusable packaging.

Even in most digital working environments, we’re still relying on the humble printer to provide us with hard copies of our most valuable documents. Luckily, some companies are aware of this paper-heavy reality, like Epson(opens in a new tab), which has created an advanced printer that does the job without actually destroying the environment in the process. 

The new WorkForce Enterprise business printers are great for everyday use because they’re smarter and therefore produce less heat thanks to fewer moving parts. This means they have less need for intervention, new parts and repairs, and use a whopping 87 percent less energy than most laser printers. 

"Why not look into smart printing? It’s good for the wallet AND the environment." 

Think about it — if you’re switching to smart lights, why not look into smart printing? It’s good for the wallet AND the environment thanks to some seriously reduced CO2 emissions, less landfill, and a decent saving on those pesky electricity costs. While you’re at it, don’t forget to purchase chlorine-free, recycled paper. 

No one likes cleaning the office kitchen, but hey, it’s a burden we all have to bear. To make it easier on the environment (and yourself), do your best to encourage your office coordinator to purchase environmentally friendly cleaning products for the bathrooms and kitchens. 

While it might not seem like a big change, in theory, consider how many times the toilet rolls get replaced, the dishwasher gets turned on, or the cups in the sink get washed each and every day. Both the kitchen and the bathrooms get more consistent use than any other area at work, so make the most of this by going green and choosing eco-friendly products(opens in a new tab). Oh, and while you’re at it, ditch the paper towels or use them sparingly as possible — these all go to landfill.  

While you probably don’t have much sway over the lighting situation in your office, it doesn’t mean you can’t make simple money and enviro-saving suggestions from time to time. 

While it seems like common sense to turn off all lights in any room you’re not actually using (you can literally post reminder notes next to the light switch in case no one gets the idea), it’s also worth considering replacing all standard bulbs with LEDs(opens in a new tab). Not only do they provide the same amount of light, but they also use up to 80 percent less energy than standard globes. They also contain no toxic elements, have a longer life span than traditional lights and don’t require as many bulbs to get the same effect. 

"LEDs not only provide the same amount of light, but they also use up to 80 percent less energy than standard globes."

For offices that are being refurbished, moved or renovated, why not also suggest painting the walls a lighter colour that reflects the natural daylight? Not only will the area need less powered lighting throughout the day, the natural light will help everyone feel they’ve actually been outside for longer than an hour, which also aids better sleep.  

Does your office have a big reception or waiting area that’s just dying for an eco-friendly makeover? Start by donating any office furniture that’s no longer needed to a new home instead of just throwing the items away or dumping them. Even if you advertise each piece for free online and have someone pick them up, it’s better than taking them to the tip.  

Once the space is more open, add an indoor plant (opens in a new tab)or two to liven up the area (quite literally). Indoor plants aren’t just nice to look at, they clean the air(opens in a new tab) by filtering out all kinds of pollutants and can improve our mental health(opens in a new tab). Some of the best plants to survive and thrive in an indoor environment include the snake plant, the peace lily and the beloved cactus. You can even use an AR app(opens in a new tab) to try before you buy.

This article is brought to you by Mashable Brand X and Epson for their new WorkForce Enterprise (opens in a new tab)business range.