How to create a better office environment with furniture, supplies, and products

Choosing compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of standard bulbs may not be a particularly sexy topic, but according to GreenerChoices.org this simple step can reduce power-plant carbon dioxide emissions about 100 pounds a year for the average office. Multiplied over the number of offices in a city, state or country - that adds up to a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gasses.

What I like about this suggestion is that it's something you can do once, and then forget about. And the case for switching is impressive: according to the EPA, compact fluorescents last six to 10 times as long as standard bulbs and reduce lighting costs by nearly 70%. So if you're used to replacing light bulbs in your office every three or four months, you'd only have to do it every couple of years. 

The downside is that compact fluorescent bulbs do contain mercury and need to be responsibly disposed. For more information, visit lamprecycle's clickable map for state departments that can give you information on where to recycle your compact fluorescent bulbs locally or check Earth911’s zip code searchable directory.

The GreenChoices website is a resource published by Consumer Reports.