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In this new day and age, more and more companies are seeking to be eco-conscious. While not everybody can install solar power and other expensive gadgets, there are earth-friendly (and often money-saving) things we can all do! Upcycling is the act of reusing discarded or recycled material, and it\u2019s a great way to not only stay green, but also save money and show your creative side! Without further ado, here are some practical and decorative\u00a0ways you and your team can upcycle in the office.<\/p>\n
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Have you ever wondered what happens to the newspaper delivered to the door every morning? Chances are one of your co-workers will toss it into the recycling bin without a second glance. Try saving the newspaper, and the next time \u00a0you need to scrub some windows or your desk the newspaper will work great.<\/p>\n
Everybody loves IKEA furniture, but have you ever thought about adding your own style to it? When moving into our downtown Seattle office, our CEO and Founder added some functional, upcycled style by putting a new twist on an IKEA classic. Instead of buying a base for the classic white lacquer tabletop, he utilized discarded pipes to serve as the table legs.<\/p>\n
A large majority of jobs today require sitting behind a computer all day, which\u00a0can not only\u00a0strain your eyes but can be bad for your posture as well. A great way to remind yourself to sit up straight, or even stand, is by elevating your laptop or monitor. Where do you find these portable, convenient, makeshift stands? Instead of tossing those old textbooks, law books, or encyclopedias that you never use, you can utilize them to lift your desktop setup.<\/p>\n
Nobody has the time or money to buy new flowers for your office centerpiece every week, not to mention water them daily! Instead, try upcycling your centerpiece! Here at Greenvelope.com, we utilized some rocks and old copper wire to create this beautiful DIY centerpiece! If you\u2019re looking to get inspired to create artwork, centerpieces, or office decor, look no further than your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore<\/b>.<\/p>\n2. Shelves from ladders or old books<\/h4>\n
Exactly how much time have you wasted driving to and from IKEA, and don\u2019t even get us started on assembling the furniture! Add a little flair to your office by utilizing old books, or unused ladders as shelves! Not only does it save time and money, it\u2019s also portable and saves space!<\/p>\n
Henry David Thoreau once said that \u201c The world is but a canvas to the imagination.\u201d This definitely applies to art as well, and we at Greenvelope.com strongly suggest using your surroundings to create art. Whether it\u2019s repurposing old furniture to create a sculpture, creating a masterpiece out of your latest nature finds, or using old boards as a painters canvas, repurposed artwork is the perfect way to not only save money and materials, but also to show off your office\u2019s unique personality and character.<\/p>\n
What other ways do you upcycle or go green around the office? Tell us in the comments section below for a chance to be featured in an upcoming post!<\/p>\n