Real Words

It’s tech-free Tuesday around here and that means that it’s time for another Real Words post on green writing. We all need to do our part to be kinder to the world around us. The best place to start is to clean up our act when it comes to work.

Here are 10 eco-harmful things that many writers and bloggers are guilty of … if you see something on the list that applies to you, consider making an effort to change your ways today! Every little bit helps.

1. The computer is always on. I’m definitely guilty of this one. I have two computers , a printer and a fax constantly turned on and using up energy. The reality is that I’m using at least one of the items most of the day but I probably don’t need to leave them all on all of the time. One way I counter this is to take tech-free days but I could certainly also turn off some of the equipment at least some of the time each day.
2. Working for eco-harmful companies. As a writer, you often have to take the work that you are able to get. Despite this, you should try to do at least a little research into the background of the companies and clients that you work for. If at all possible, try to work entirely or primarily with companies that engage in green practices. After all, when you do work that supports eco-harmful companies, you’re doing your part to damage the earth.
3. Driving when we could walk. People who work as freelancers generally have the ability to schedule their own time. This means that we can plan to take a little bit longer to get somewhere and use that time to walk, bike or take public transportation instead of driving our cars. The person who has to get to and from their errands during a scheduled lunch braek doesn’t have that luxury; we do. At the very least, we can schedule all of our errands and out-of-office meetings to take place around the same time so that we reduce the number of trips we take in the car.
4. Throwing away paper. You probably generate a lot of paper in the course of a week’s worth. You should be recycling it. Re-use it for note-taking when you can, make your own homemade paper with the scraps or stick it in the recycling bin to be greener than you are today.
5. Subscribing to magazines. You can read these online and save some trees but many web writers prefer the physical feel of the magazine because it differs from their usual experience of reading blogs. Try to limit your magazine subscriptions or at least donate the magazines when you are done with them.
6. Excessive use of computer ink. First of all, many web writers print out things they could read online which wastes ink. Second, they often just toss their ink cartridges as soon as they’re out. You can refill them to save on money and save on wasting the environment. And instead of tossing them, you can find a local recycling company that will make sure they don’t just go to the landfill. The U.S. Postal Service has also just started a pilot program that will let you mail those cartridges in for free recycling.
7. Letting books gather dust. Writers love books. However, a collection of books that you aren’t reading is a waste of trees and space. Periodically going through your books and getting rid of what you don’t read can help green the Earth. Ideally, you’ll sell them or give them away to others who want to read them. Alternatively, you can recycle them or you can turn them into altered art. Just don’t let them sit there.
8. Jumping on the new phone bandwagon. Many web writers are interested in always getting the latest new cell phone. That’s because they want to be able to Twitter away, access their Facebook from their phone or simply get online for web research. Ask yourself if you really need to toss your old phone already or if you can hang on a little longer to what you’ve already got working for you. If you do need a new phone, make sure you recycle and don’t just send that mobile phone to the landfill.
9. Turning up the AC and heat in the home. If you work from home, you probably get used to the climate control in your house. You may be wasting energy that you don’t need to waste. Get outside a few times a day for a brisk walk and you’ll warm up without turning on the heat. Open your windows instead of turning on the air conditioner.
10. Ignoring the green movement. More than anything else, most web writers are guilty of completely ignoring the green movement, at least insofar as it applies to their work. They simply don’t think about it and that can be the most earth-damaging act of all. Simple acts like adding green links to your site, writing about green issues and simply being aware that there are things that you can do to be a greener writer can start making serious change in the world around you.

Every single one of us can do something a little bit greener today than what we did yesterday. The earth depends on our willingness to do that.

Question of the Day: Do you think web writers can make a difference to the environment by implementing greener writing habits?

[Tags] green writing, eco-friendly, earth, environment, writing, web writer, blogging [/Tags]