1 September 2026

Summer is coming to an end, and most of us have returned to our familiar workplace. So why not start the academic year with a greener workplace that also has less impact on the environment? The tips below will help you make a fresh start at the office and save energy at the same time:

• Turn the lights off if you are leaving the room and won’t be returning for a while – as long as no one else is there.
• Switch the monitor(s) off when you go home to prevent unnecessary electricity comsumption at night and at the weekend. 
• Share a departmental fridge with as many colleagues as possible. The fuller it is, the more economical it will be. Don’t set the temperature to lower than 6° C.
• Replace fridges that are more than five years old and have a poor energy rating. 
• Only switch the dishwasher on when it’s full.
• Think before you print. Ask yourself: “Do I really need a paper copy of this document?” In many cases, reading or signing a document digitally is enough. If you do need to print, choose black and white, print double-sided, and use smaller margins to save paper and ink.
• Join the Leiden University Green Office, a community for students and staff, to discover more sustainability tips.

Which step will you take?