Eco-Friendly Habits For Digital Nomads: Sustainable Practices While Working From Anywhere

Being a freelancer or a digital nomad has many perks. Not only do you have the freedom to work wherever you want, but you also have opportunities to see the world and meet new people while earning a living. However, this type of lifestyle can have repercussions on the environment as a recent study shows that the average carbon footprint of digital nomads worldwide is 9.3 tons of CO2 per year. The problem also goes beyond frequent plane travel as the influx of work-from-anywhere individuals has started causing environmental issues in big cities and even far-flung areas. 

If you’re a digital nomad, it’s important to keep track of your travel and work habits, and take responsibility for your impact on the planet. Fortunately, there are ways to make remote working sustainable, wherever you may be. Here are some eco-friendly practices to consider while working from anywhere. 

Choose a Sustainable Work Area

More remote workers are making eco-friendly choices to build their workspace. Aside from using furniture made from sustainable materials, they’re also cultivating energy-saving habits and adopting a minimalist mindset. It’s easy to make planet-friendly decisions when you have complete control over your work environment, so those who work-from-home should definitely take advantage so they can do their part to save the earth. 

If you’re working as a digital nomad though, it may be more challenging to find eco-friendly places to do your tasks. However, you can choose to work in more sustainable areas, such as cafes or hotels that use solar energy. Doing so can be highly beneficial for the environment, especially if you work long hours or if you need to charge your devices while working. As much as possible, work in a place that gets lots of natural light and ventilation to cut down on energy consumption, and avoid working in areas that have lots of air or noise pollution since these can be detrimental to your health. 

Fly Less

Most digital nomads make it a point to hop from one country to another to maximize their experience, and some are able to visit multiple destinations in just a few weeks. But if you’re looking to save money and make better choices for the sake of the environment, consider flying less and stay in one place for a couple of months. According to a recent poll, one-third of all digital nomads surveyed move every one to three months, while 55 percent stay in one location and move after three months or more. Extending your stay in one place can help to reduce your carbon footprint, and it also allows you to form deeper bonds with the locals. 

If you’re concerned about overstaying, know that some countries will allow you to extend your stay, depending on your country of origin. So for instance, if you’ve always wanted to work from the beach in Boracay in the Philippines, you can stay for at least a month since foreign nationals are given a 30-day period to stay in the country. If you want to remain in the island, you may apply for a 29-day visa extension, and you’ll only need to pay the processing fee which is around $54. 

Support the Local Community

Digital nomads should make it a point to contribute to their host country instead of merely extracting from it. Supporting the community can make your stay more sustainable, and you can do so by buying products from local businesses instead of large chains. Leave a positive mark by participating in earth-friendly community activities such as tree-planting initiatives, beach clean up drives, recycling, or community gardening. 

To make your stay more rewarding, plan on learning the local language– just knowing a few key phrases may encourage the locals to get to know you more. Engage with the local culture and customs, and participate in the town’s events since these create opportunities for conversation and cultural exchange. Lastly, be respectful of your host country by cleaning up after yourself whenever you eat at restaurants or eateries, and avoid littering at all costs. Make it a point to conserve the town’s natural resources by taking short showers, turning lights off when not in use, and taking a digital detox during your downtime. 

Digital nomads often get a bad rep for their carbon footprint, but there are ways to make this type of lifestyle more sustainable. Consider these tips to leave a positive impact on the planet and local communities, and enjoy working anywhere in the world without harming the environment.