Working from home was supposed to be greener, no commute, less office waste. But truth, my home office slowly became another source of trash. Coffee pods, flimsy desk toys, boxes and packing, suddenly my “eco win” felt messy.
I learned the fix isn’t radical perfection. It’s smart choices: pick tools that last, swap single-use items for reusables, and reuse what you already own.
Over time, those small choices add up. Below are 14 practical essentials I use and recommend.
I tested each one, and I include the exact products I rely on so you can copy what worked for me.
Key takeaways
- Small, durable swaps beat perfect but unsustainable setups.
- Buy less, buy for life: investing in quality often reduces waste.
- Reuse what you have first; replace only when necessary.
- A few simple swaps cut packaging, plastic, and clutter, and improve focus.
1. Swap Reusable Notebook System to Rocketbook Core
Paper piles up fast. Even with scrap pads and printouts, it’s easy to go through hundreds of sheets.
The Rocketbook Core feels like a normal notebook but wipes clean. I write, scan pages with my phone, and upload notes to Google Drive, Slack, or email.
When pages are full, a damp cloth erases them. One notebook can replace dozens of paper pads.
The Rocketbook Core: has erasable pages, cloud sync, and a simple workflow that keeps notes digital. (Available on Amazon.)
I keep one on my desk for meeting notes and a smaller one in my bag for ideas. Scan immediately so notes are backed up.
Usage tip: Use Pilot FriXion pens for best erasing. Scan right away if you want searchable text.
One problem you may encounter is if you forget to sync and lose notes. And to fix it, you have to make scanning part of closing your workday, two minutes and it’s done.
2. Change the Refillable Pen Champion to Pilot Better Retractable Ballpoint Pen
Do this for reason being that disposable pens are everywhere and end up in landfill.
So, the Pilot Better Retractable Ballpoint Pen has a sturdy body built to last. When ink runs out you replace the refill, not the whole pen. Fewer plastic pens thrown away, and it writes well.
Pilot Better Retractable Ballpoint Pen is refillable and comfortable to use. (Available on Amazon.)
I use it too, I keep one at my primary desk and another in my bag. When refills run low I swap them quickly.
Usage tip: Buy refills in small packs to reduce packaging waste and keep one spare in your drawer.
One common problem is you losing pens. In this case, give each pen a designated spot, cup, pen slot, or clip to your notebook.
3. Swap Zero-Waste Highlighter to Stabilo Boss Origami Highlighters
Most zero waste highlighters dry out and get tossed. Most are plastic.
However, Stabilo Boss Origami uses a body that’s mostly paper (about 89%). They still highlight like normal, but the plastic footprint is much smaller. Many models use replaceable ink as well.
That's why I use and recommend: Stabilo Boss Origami Highlighters. It has good and familiar performance with drastically less plastic. (Available on Amazon.)
How I use it: I keep one color for editing and one for tasks. They feel solid in hand.
Usage tip: Store with caps on to extend life, and keep blunt tips for underlining instead of heavy strokes.
Common problem: People assume paper-bodied means flimsy. These are surprisingly sturdy.
4. Swap the Ultimate Ergonomic & Sustainable Chair to Used Steelcase Gesture
Cheap chairs break quickly and become bulky waste.
Buying a high-quality used chair is the most sustainable move I made. Steelcase and Herman Miller chairs were built to last and can be repaired.
A used Steelcase Gesture gives better support than any cheap new chair and keeps a perfectly good product in use.
Top recommend in this regard is the new or used Steelcase Gesture (purchase from a reputable refurbisher or marketplace). Durable, repairable, ergonomic.
I adjusted the chair once and haven’t touched posture since, it supports different postures through the day.
Pro tip: Look for certified refurbishers who replace worn parts; it’s cheaper than a new low-end chair and better for the planet.
One common problem is the upfront cost. Think long-term: one good chair replaces several cheap ones.
5.Swap The Plastic-Free Desk Tidy to Repurposed Glass Jars
Desk organizers are often new plastic that adds clutter and waste.
So, instead of plastic-free Desk Tidy, I wash spice, jam, and pickle jars and use them for pens, clips, and supplies.
They’re sturdy, clear, and free. Reusing glass jars gives new life to something that would otherwise be recycled or tossed.
I recommend: Upside Down Glass Jars : repurpose jars you already have; no purchase necessary.
Use tip - Different jar sizes hold pens, cables, and small tools. Heavy jars don’t tip easily.
Pro tip: Remove labels by soaking jars in hot water with baking soda. Use a silicone base for a non-slip finish.
Common problem: Sticky residue on labels. Coconut oil and a scrubber take it off.
6. Swao The Energy-Efficient Task Light To TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp
Old lamps waste energy and burn out bulbs often.
So, a quality LED lamp uses far less energy and lasts tens of thousands of hours. The TaoTronics model offers adjustable brightness and color temps, so I match light to time of day and cut eye strain without extra gadgets.
TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp: adjustable, energy-efficient, and built to last. (Available on Amazon.)
Usage tip: Warm light for morning, cooler white for focused afternoon work. The USB port charges devices, reducing extra chargers.
Use the lowest comfortable brightness, tiny drops in power usage add up.
Common problem: Cheap LEDs flicker. Buy a reputable model and save headaches later.
7. Swap The Last Coffee Maker You’ll Ever Buy To French Press
The waste problem you see here are the pods and filters that create daily trash and plastic waste.
In this regard, a French press needs only coffee grounds and hot water, no pods, no filters, minimal energy. Grounds compost easily. A sturdy French press lasts years.
When getting a Classic French Press, (choose stainless and glass or full stainless for durability).
Usage Tip: Boil water, steep, press. I compost the used grounds and rinse the carafe.
Buy coffee in bulk and store it in glass jars to reduce packaging.
Common problem: Glass models break. If you’re clumsy, opt for stainless models.
8. Change The Reusable Mug for the Win to Yeti Rambler
The Disposable cups and single-use takeaway lids add up, even at home.
Hence, a well-made insulated tumbler keeps drinks at the right temperature and prevents spills. It replaces single-use cups and bottles and lasts for years.
Yeti Rambler is highly recommended here - they’re tough, insulated, and spill-resistant. (Available on Amazon.)
Usage Tip: I use my Yeti for coffee, tea, and water. It’s always at hand and easy to clean.
Keep a second mug in the car or bag so you never borrow disposables.
Common problem: Bulky to carry. Choose a size you’ll actually use daily.
9. Swap The Digital Note-Taking Powerhouse To reMarkable 2 Tablet
For heavy note-takers, physical notebooks and printed drafts pile up.
Therefore, the reMarkable 2 replicates paper feel without paper. I write, store, and organize documents digitally. No stacks of notebooks, no wasted pages.
I highly recommend the reMarkable 2 - e-ink tablet built for writing and long battery life.
Usage Tip: I use it for long-form notes and draft outlines. It’s my “thinking” device that replaces many scratch pads.
Export notes to cloud services regularly for backup.
Common problem: It’s an investment. If you write daily, it pays back in reduced paper and time spent scanning.
10. Swap The Cord-Killing Master To Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub
Multiple cheap dongles and chargers clutter your desk and break often.
Meanwhile, One quality hub reduces the number of single-use dongles you buy. Anker’s 7-in-1 gives power delivery, HDMI, USB-A, and SD card readers in one durable package.
Anker 7-in-1 USB-C Hub is a must have as it is reliable, multi-port, and built to last. (Available on Amazon.)
Usage Tip: One cable connects my laptop to monitor, power, and peripherals. Setup is clean and repeatable.
Use fewer, higher-quality cables to reduce replacements.
Common problem: Cheap hubs overheat. Buy a trusted brand to avoid e-waste later.
11. Change The Sustainable Desk Surface To Bamboo Standing Desk
Particleboard desks off-gas and fall apart, increasing replacement cycle and waste.
However, bamboo tops are strong, renewable, and attractive. Pairing a bamboo top with a quality adjustable frame gives an ergonomic surface that lasts.
Bamboo Standing Desk Top + Adjustable Frame - choose solid bamboo tops and a reliable frame.
Usage Tip: I stand for chunks of the day, sit for others. The desk feels solid and natural.
Buy a durable frame with a good warranty, it’s the part that moves most.
Common problem: Bamboo surfaces scratch. Use desk mats or coasters to protect them.
12. Change The All-Natural Screen Cleaner To DIY Vinegar Solution
Store cleaners come in single-use plastic and often contain harsh chemicals.
But a mix of equal parts distilled white vinegar and distilled water in a reusable spray bottle cleans screens safely. Use a microfiber cloth and you avoid disposable wipes and chemical waste.
I recommend: DIY Vinegar + Distilled Water in a Reusable Spray Bottle. It has zero single-use plastic and effective cleaning.
Usage Tip: Spray on a cloth, not directly on the screen. Wipe gently to remove fingerprints and smudges.
Keep a labeled spray bottle and microfiber cloth near your desk for quick clean-ups.
Common problem: Vinegar smell lingers. Rinse cloth and air out the bottle; the smell fades quickly.
13. Swap The Mindful Snack System - Stasher Bags & Glass Containers
Single-serve snack wrappers and plastic sandwich bags are a constant stream of trash.
The Stasher silicone bags are dishwasher-safe, freezer-safe, and replace disposable bags. Glass jars store bulk snacks and pantry staples with no single-use packaging.
Stasher Bags & Large Glass Jars - versatile for packing snacks and storing bulk buys. (Stasher available on Amazon.)
Usage Tip: I portion snacks into Stasher bags for the day and keep oats, nuts, and coffee in glass jars.
Flatten Stasher bags after use so they dry and store flat.
Common problem: Forgetting to bring containers when shopping. Keep a tote and a set of containers in your car.
14. Swap The Final Filter - Blueair Blue Pure 411 Air Purifier
Indoor dust, pet dander, and VOCs lower air quality and harm focus.
The Blue Pure 411 is compact, quiet, and energy-efficient. It has a washable pre-filter that removes large particles and extends the life of the main filter, less waste overall.
Blueair Blue Pure 411 - small, effective, and energy efficient. (Available on Amazon.)
Usage Tip: I run it on low while working; the air feels cleaner and I notice fewer sneezes and less dust on surfaces.
Wash the pre-filter regularly to get the most life from the main filter.
Common problem: Replacement filters cost money. Regular maintenance stretches their life.
How to build a mindful workspace (step-by-step)
- Audit your waste for a week. Track package types and single-use items you throw away.
- Pick three swaps. I started with a reusable mug, a refillable pen, and a better chair.
- Repurpose first. Before buying, look around for jars, boxes, or furniture you can reuse.
- Invest wisely. Buy quality for things you use daily, chair, desk, lamp.
- Maintain. Clean filters, refill pens, and compost coffee grounds often to keep systems low-waste.
A 30-day starter challenge
- Week 1: Replace disposable cups and pods (get a Yeti Rambler and use a French press).
- Week 2: Swap pens and highlighters for refillable options (Pilot Better, Stabilo Origami).
- Week 3: Declutter cables and consolidate with an Anker hub; repurpose jars for desk tidy.
- Week 4: Commit to a durable desk surface or a used ergonomic chair and start using Stasher bags for snacks.
Final thoughts
A low-waste office isn’t about showing off gear. It’s about removing throwaway habits and choosing things that stick.
I still get packages sometimes, and I still replace things, but most of what I use now was chosen to last and to reduce waste.
That’s the point: better choices, not perfect ones.