Tip: If your office is too far away for you to walk or bike, try carpooling with coworkers to shrink eco impact. Photo: Carpooling.com
4. Green your commute
Commuting to work can be stressful – not only for you, but also for the environment. The average American family’s weekday commute produces around 7,000 pounds of carbon emissions every year, according to a study conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
The good news is that reducing your driving, even slightly, can carry huge environmental benefits. Driving a mere 10 percent less, by walking, cycling, carpooling, or taking public transit, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 440 to 1,763 pounds per year depending on the vehicle, according to the nonprofit ecology group Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.
If you’re lucky enough to live close to your workplace, try walking or biking to shrink your carbon footprint, or opt for public transportation for a low-waste, low-stress commute.
If your office is on the other side of town, try carpooling with coworkers a few times a week to reduce environmental impact. Carpooling with two other passengers creates a mere 0.05 pounds of carbon emissions per person, per mile – even in an average car getting about 23 miles-per-gallon, according to Sightline Institute. A “vanpool,” with six occupants in total, comes in at less than 0.04 pounds of CO2 per mile, the research group found.
As an added bonus, carpoolings is also a great way to bond with your coworkers and form relationships you may not have had otherwise. So, round up the gang and hop in the car for a commute that’s low-waste and fun.
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