You're the boss of your home office. Why not dictate that it be environmentally friendly?
Here are some "green" office ideas from the Environmental Protection Agency:
Buy energy-efficient equipment. Look for the Energy Star logo on computers, printers, copiers and other equipment.
Choose a printer that uses remanufactured toner cartridges. Recycle used cartridges at an office-supply store or return them to the manufacturer via a take-back program. Use refillable ink cartridges to prevent waste.
Conserve paper by setting your printer to double-sided printing.
Save ink or toner by using the "fast draft" option included in most word-processing programs.
Choose less toxic or rechargeable batteries. Dispose of spent batteries properly to reduce the potential threat to human health and the environment. Find a drop-off site at the nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp., www.rbrc.org.
Purchase recycled paper.
Reduce the amount of paper you use. Share electronic files with others instead of printing hard copies.
Reuse envelopes and file folders.
Use alternatives to letter mail. Use e-mail, voice mail and fax modem transmission whenever possible. Take your name off junk-mail lists at the Direct Marketing Association, www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html.
Recycle white and mixed paper, cardboard and newspapers.
Buy refillable ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils.
Buy in bulk rather than single items to save on resources used for packaging.
Consider buying recycled furniture or refurbish old furniture for your office.