When is comes to creating a more eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle, many people do not think about the decisions they make in the workplace. Besides being home, a majority of our time is spent at work. The everyday choices we make in our work environment could have a bigger impact on the planet than we may think. This year I have begun to cultivate a more conscious work lifestyle, from how I get to work to what I eat during lunch. Here are my essentials for a more conscious, less wasteful work life:

1. Reusable Cutlery Kit. I know you all saw this coming, but this little kit and I are attached at the hip. It keeps me from using plastic, and I never worry about forgetting to pack a specific utensil for my lunch. 10/10 would recommend.
2. A cute lunch bag. When I became an adult, the last thing I thought I would be excited about is how I carry my lunch to work. But as silly as it sounds, having a cute reusable bag to bring my lunch to work sparks joy in the morning, and gives me the incentive to bring my own food.
3. Coffee mug. My workplace has a coffee bar, so I bring my empty mug and pour myself a glass as soon as I get into the office rather than use the paper and plastic cups they provide.
4. Bring your own creamer. A year ago, after pouring myself a cup of coffee I would add two creamers. The creamers came in single-use plastic cups, so in a year I put at least 520 of those cups into the landfill. That was insane to me! To minimize my waste, when I pack my lunch I pack creamer in a small glass jar that I bring to work with me.
5. Pack a lunch. Not only does it save you a ton of money, it eliminates any single-use containers you would get from eating out.
6. Reusable water bottle. I love my hydroflask, and it stays cold all day while keeping me hydrated at work.
7. Sneakers. If you have to drive to work, if you do end up going out to lunch I encourage you to walk there if you can. It saves you gas and gives you some much needed outdoor time if you’re stuck at a desk all day. And if you bring your own lunch or can’t walk to lunch, try getting outside for a ten minute walk each day to improve your mental and physical health.