The concept of remote work isn’t new. People have been looking for ways to work from home for decades. The current remote work policies we use today date back to 1999, but IBM has been experimenting with work-from-home positions since 1979 – even predating the home computer.
The COVID-19 pandemic turned remote work from an option to a requirement as offices closed their doors to help prevent the spread of the virus. Two years later, the virus is working toward an endemic stage and offices are trying to go back to normal – but not everyone is opening their doors again.
Some companies, including big names like Apple and Adobe, are shifting to 100% remote work options for some positions or a 50/50 hybrid model. One argument for remote work is that keeping people at home is better for the environment.
But is remote work actually better for the environment, or would we be better off heading back to the office?
No Commute = Fewer Emissions
One of the most popular talking points praising remote work is the lack of a commute. People don’t have to drive to the office anymore, so they’re not putting more carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.
On paper, this looks great. Upwards of 90% of people drive to work, usually completing that commute alone. During the beginning of the pandemic, while everyone was locked down and staying home, CO2 emissions related to transportation dropped 15%.
This might sound like the perfect solution to help countries reduce at least a portion of their CO2 emissions, but it leaves out an essential piece of information. While everyone was at home, household energy usage increased by more than 20%, more than offsetting the savings generated by staying home.
According to the International Energy Agency, people who have short commutes or use public transportation could potentially increase their carbon footprint by working remotely. Those who live farther from the office can use remote work to reduce their CO2 emissions, but it’s not a perfect solution.
Increased E-Waste
Working from home has many benefits and companies are moving away from the mindset that talent must live within 50 miles of the office.
Before the pandemic, companies that offered remote work options experienced increased productivity. Human beings produce waste regardless of where they’re working. The trash they create ends up in the landfill just as easily from the office as from home. The problem created by remote work is the increased reliance on electronic devices – and an increase in e-waste as they break down from continual use.
E-waste is already a massive problem, representing more than 70% of toxic waste in landfills due to batteries and heavy metals. Only about 12.5% of e-waste is recycled because it is expensive and complicated. Waste management systems can’t just crush e-waste up like glass or plastic because it is made of so many different materials. Heavy reliance on laptops and other electronic devices will continue to contribute to increased e-waste.
Online Communication = Less Paper Usage
One of the genuinely positive sides of remote work is that it makes it easier for companies to go paperless. Remote work relies heavily on electronic communication. There’s no need to print reports or paperwork when workers can accomplish the same tasks digitally.
On average, a person uses 680 pounds of paper products every year, totaling more than 85 million tonnes every year. Only two-thirds of these products ever get recycled, and paper that ends up in the landfills is one less tree that absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere.
Hybrid Models Have Good Intentions
Hybrid models might have good intentions, but the road to hell is paved with those. Though hybrid work sounds like the best of both worlds, some hidden impacts can make it less environmentally friendly.
According to the Carbon Trust and Vodafone Institute for Society and Communications, hybrid work models can potentially double an individual’s carbon emissions.
Hybrid workers aren’t just commuting. They’re utilizing energy and generating waste at both locations. Designers intend for most office spaces to support an entire crew of workers, but operating under a hybrid model means they’re using just as much energy keeping the lights on and the building comfortable.
Is Remote Work Better for the Environment?
The answer to this question is not as easy as yes or no. In theory, remote work could be better for the environment – if the country’s entire power supply relied on green energy and people took steps toward a zero-waste lifestyle. There is no easy answer here and no easy way to make work – either remote or in-office – better for the environment. However, remote work is here to stay, and companies will need to make changes if they hope to shrink their carbon footprint.
