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Every week in our Eco Memo series, we offer you practical tips on how to green your work life. This week, find out a couple of very good reasons for packing a dishtowel in your briefcase on your way out the door.
Having a communal dishtowel in your office kitchenette is just plain eco-smart. By offering people a reusable cloth to wipe up small spills, you'll cut down on everyone's paper towel usage, reducing your workplace garbage footprint and keeping extra waste out of landfills. By supplying an effective way to quickly dry plates, mugs, cups, cutlery, etc., after washing dishes by hand, you'll make it easier for everyone to use Real Dishes instead of disposables, which is definitely a move towards sustainability. However, a lot of workplace kitchenettes don't have a dishtowel, or have an ancient one that's obscenely grubby, just because nobody's thought to step up and take action.
Adopt your office kitchenette by bringing in a dishtowel. Grab a spare from around your house, pick up an inexpensive one at a local thrift shop, or get one made from organic fibers. Leave it in the kitchenette in plain sight, where everyone will be able to grab it as needed, and when you notice it getting a little grungy, take it home and throw it in with your regular laundry, then bring it back. For bonus points, shoot out a quick office-wide email welcoming people to make use of the newly-arrived rag, and sharing why and how things will be greener if they do.
