You’ve worked hard all summer long to earn that certification from the Green Business Bureau. Now, old man winter is creeping up on you, and you just know he’s going to screw it up. Or not. This time of year may seem like the most costly couple of months, what with holiday spending, building heating, and vacation costs. We’ve got six tips to stay green this winter keeping your company eco-friendly, your spending thrifty, and your colleagues healthy.

1. Forget the space heaters — grab a sweater

Not every office environment has a loose enough dress code to keep your fur coat on while you call prospective clients. Sweaters and turtlenecks on the other hand are usually fair game. Or, stay professional on the outside and invest in some Under Armour to stay warm You’ll be able to turn down the thermostat, switch off the heaters, and enjoy some natural warmth.

2. What’s in your lunch?

This is the worst time to get sick. Q4 is closing out the year. Businesses are scrambling to get their paperwork done and raise annual figures. Instead of taking a client out for a big steak lunch, choose soup and a salad. Cook a nutrient-rich stew in your crock pot and pack that up for the week’s lunch. Swap out your hot coffee for hot green tea. Eating in will save on gas as well. Reducing drive times is one of the best reasons to pack a sack lunch.

3. Carpool as often as possible

It’s no secret that winter is the mortal enemy of every car owner. Humans weren’t meant to leave their burrow in the winter, but someone’s got to put bread on the table. Some people take the same car every day, and one person pays for gas. This may be effective for saving on fuel costs, but it makes much more sense to switch off. Each car receives less winter wear and tear. Both drivers save on gas. No one person is doing all the work. Start a driving rotation with three or four colleagues, and always ride together for special events.

4. Garden all year round

Composting isn’t just a summer sport. It’s very effective in winter as well, when decomposers are desperate for food. Hold onto your orange peels after lunch. Or create an office-wide composting initiative. You can even discuss with your landlord whether starting a garden on company property is admissible. You’ll find after a summer of turning trash into treasure that your soil is especially fertile in the spring. Ready for another year of greenery.

 5. Cut paper out of your diet

No, not literally. Think of all that wrapping paper and packaging material. The holiday season is notorious for increasing paper usage. Relying on efficiency programs, like document management software, will cut these wasteful habits out of your company’s daily business. This isn’t just something you can do in the winter: saving money by cutting out paper is possible year round (just like composting).

6. Duct taping is life hacking

Ok, you may want to avoid using actual duct tape, but insulating air passages will cut down on your heating bill. Line your windows with non-invasive adhesive. If your company has the cash, a long term solution would be geothermal heat pumps. They use underground air’s constant year round temperature to keep your office cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And they’re one of the most eco-friendly forms of air conditioning on the market.

A green lifestyle doesn’t just help the planet, it helps the people on it. Finding clever, ecological solutions will also free up your budget and show customers that you care as much about green living as you do about their welfare. Don’t wait for winter to take control of your lifestyle. Do whatever it takes to keep your employees happy and your business green.

About the Author:

Daniel Cochran is a Creative Content Coordinator at Computhink. His background is in fiction writing and book sales, but he is thrilled to be a part of the marketing revolution. He is currently enthralled in the throes of blog writing, comic drawing, and brain storming, loving every minute of it. Daniel also enjoys riding his bicycle to and from the coffee shop, ordering coffee at the coffee shop, and enjoying coffee with other coffee hounds at the coffee shop. He can be reached at dcochran@computhink.com.