The future of sustainable work
Nearly two years after we all relocated our workstations from cubicles to kitchen tables, businesses are working hard to give workers a choice of where and how they do their jobs.
While nothing is certain these days (has it ever been?), you may already be comfortably toggling between your couch and a newly reopened and reimagined office space.
That’s what the future will look like for most of us. Companies such as Google, which has been at the forefront of remote work, are now betting on it. The tech giant recently spent a record $2.21 billion on a brick-and-mortar Manhattan office space, signaling a commitment to old-timey, face-to-face getting things done. No matter where you work – in a converted attic that once housed your mother-in-law, an artsy co-working loft, or a little here and a little there when the mood strikes – you’ll want to do it in the most sane and sustainable way possible.
HOME OFFICE
Lolly’s energy-efficient LED task light with USB. Working from home has driven up your energy bills. This light cuts energy usage, takes up a super small footprint, and saves on your utility bills; $275 at store.hermanmiller.com
Label 180 customizable, sustainably sourced office chairs can be upholstered in 70-plus fabrics and leathers, including high-end textile designer Cat Judice and Liberty of London prints. And as a 1% for the Planet member, 1% of all sales benefit environmental nonprofits; $850 and up at label180.com (if you dare); $569 and up at fully.com
Fully Jarvis bamboo standing desk. Sitting is the new smoking. Studies show that doing it for long periods can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. This desk boasts a lifting capacity of 350 pounds, and adjusts from 50 inches to so low you can sit on the floor (if you dare); $569 and up at fully.com
Outdoor Fellow candles. Techies will go for the Coastal Forest scent, inspired by the Pacific Northwest, made from coconut/apricot wax and a renewable cotton-fiber wick – best of all, the candle holder is a cocktail glass, so when you’re done you’re ready for happy hour; $36 at outdoorfellow.com
Manduka eKO Lite yoga mat. If you do choose a sitting desk, for god’s sake get up (or rather down) and stretch for your own mental survival. This mat is sourced from biodegradable non-Amazon harvested tree rubber (go for the groovy hang-ten “surf marbled” print); $80 at rei.com
Twisted X ECO Loafer Moccasins are made from recycled plastic bottles (13 in every pair). Designed to be worn inside and out, for when you need to hop out to grab the mail or the kids at the bus stop; $87.95 and up in December/January at TwistedX.com
WORK OFFICE
House of Marley Liberate Air True wireless earbuds. Made of bamboo, recycled silicone, and fabric, for when your office gets too loud and you need your own soundtrack; $99.99 at thehouseofmarley.com
Gocycle G4i+ e-bike is foldable and super light (just 36 pounds), with bespoke MotoGP-inspired treaded tires with silica compound for superior grip, integrated USB port for charging on the go, and low-energy Bluetooth, created by a designer of Maclaren sports cars; $5,999 at gocycle.com
Canon’s Pixma TR150. This wireless printer is small enough to fit on any desk. The portability is key for the hybrid home-office model. Plus, you don’t want to touch the printer that everyone else has been touching dozens of times a day; $305.49 at usa.canon.com
Molekule Air Mini air purifier is super quiet, ozone-emission free, with 360-degree air intake and snappy vegan leather strap; $399 at molekule.com
Samsung Qi UV sanitizer is sleek but large enough to sanitize your phone, glasses, watch, ear buds, and keys (and it’s also a wireless charger); $29.95 at amazon.com
MamaP compostable bamboo toothbrush and quick-dry toothbrush stand look good enough to leave out on your desk. 5% of sales go toward ocean conservation, women’s rights, mental health, and more; $8 and up at mamap.life.
Pega does not receive payment or other compensation from the manufacturers of products mentioned in this article. Pega does not make any representation or warranty concerning any of the products. They are described for informational purposes only.