Australians work 44 hours a week and on average retire at age 55. So, even if you don’t get full-time work till you’re 22, that’s still 69,696 hours that you’ll spend at work – not including your holidays to the beach. That’s a very long time, but if you do just three sustainable, generous things a day you’ll hit 26,136 3things before you hang up the briefcase.

3things recognises that the work we choose is a massive opportunity to make a difference in the world. Who we work for, the jobs we take, the jobs we make, and the way we do business is vitally important for achieving a just world without poverty. Whether you’re a designer wanting to inspire people to buy a bike rather than a car, or a legal firm employee wanting to tackle the level of paper waste in the office, consider this a platform.

Getting to and from work the eco way

Sometimes considered a hair flattening, sweat creating, dangerous activity, bike riding is an extreme sport to some. For others, the bike lanes are their sanctuary. You can try riding to work a little more and get the health benefits with the environmental benefits. Remember to pack your pocket hair straightener and you'll be looking snazzy in no time!

• Public transport: Using public transport is a great way to get around, meet people and do the environment some good too. Check out the trip planners, local maps, guides and tips for your hood:

Check out the trip planners, local maps, guides and tips for your hood:

Sydney and New South Wales           Hobart and Tasmania

Adelaide and South Australia            Melbourne and Victoria

Perth and Western Australia              Brisbane and Queensland

Darwin and the NT                              ACT 

•  Carpool
  Cram your car with folks and cut your vehicle’s carbon impact proportionally. To find someone going your way start here.


• Offset: To offset your train, bus, or car ride emissions, because you can’t get away from internal-combustion engines, you can buy a carbon credit!

 

Eco-friendly office supplies

You’re being super friendly to the environment by using eco-friendly stationary, so why not help your co-workers and office become environmentally friendly too? Talk to your office manager about getting your workplace to purchase office supplies made from recycled materials. Here's a great place to start.

Workplace best 'green' practice

You can support your workplace to adopt the best practice in office recycling and ethical and environmental purchasing. This is the digital age after all.

 Compost: Eliminate unnecessary landfill by composting in your office kitchen. Get a swanky compost bin from Bokashi or do-it-yourself for fraction of the cost.

Video conferencing: Use video conferencing instead of flying or driving to meetings. You can save your business heaps of money, save yourself the time, and spare the planet with programs like GoTo Meeting.

Recycle! E.g. electrical goods- Recycle electrical goods, batteries, and other toxic office equipment. Find a recycling program in your area.

Reuse paper: Breaking the seal on a new packet of Post-Its is certainly enticing, but ask yourself if the same job couldn’t be done just as well with paper sitting in the recycling bin. Want to make it look pretty? Design sponse and Handmadeology are both great places to get ideas.

Print double sided:Reduce what you print with this easy printer setting. Get twice as much out of your paper!  Calculate your paper impact and manage that waste!

Reusable coffee cups: Get your fix and look good doing it. Reusable cups reduce waste from disposable coffee cups. Check out these lovely accessories for your fairtrade cup of coffee. Blog: How to win a take-away coffee; No Impact Week- Reusable Drinking Vessel

*Got tips? Let us know!