Going Green Starts with Recycling Office Paper
Making your office more environmentally friendly, or “green,” has numerous benefits. The overhaul cuts utility costs, limits excess waste, promotes a more sustainable product chain, and prevents adding more non-degradable trash into the ocean’s landfills. Some people might lead you to believe that greening up the work place will be a monumental hassle like when Congress bickered about using recyclable cups, plates and forks instead of Styrofoam. But the truth is going green is a mostly hassle-free project that you can begin accomplishing with only a few changes.
Energy Efficiency
Being energy efficient in the workplace takes many forms. Moreover, one of the best methods is installing Energy Star appliances and fixtures. These products use up to 70% less electricity than older models. Therefore, they can cut utility costs significantly.
Another option is replacing artificial lighting. Instead of incandescent bulbs, use energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs. They use up to two-thirds less electricity. Consequently, this switch reduces energy bills while lowering environmental impact.
Also be sure to turn off any lights when nobody is using the room. Offices spend an average of 44 percent of their annual energy usage on artificial lighting. By ensuring colleagues remember to turn off lights as they leave a room and are using eco-friendly bulbs, you’re on the right path to greening up the office.
If people seem to forget about switching off lights, install a motion sensor that turns off the lights after a certain amount of time without recognizing movement.
Along the lines of turning electronics off, one of the areas excess electricity waste comes from is computer usage. It’s estimated that nearly $1billion is wasted in workplaces because employees fail to turn off computers after using them. The thing many people don’t realize is even though they might not be actively using the computer, without simply turning off any computer electronics, or at least putting it the computer and monitor in sleep mode, the devices are still drawing on plenty of energy. Setting up a universal battery usage plan to place computers in sleep after 10 or 15 minutes of inactivity can make a big difference.
Limiting Resource Waste
Make a habit of recycling paper. Print notes, faxes, or drafts on the back of used sheets. In addition, buy chlorine-free paper with high post-consumer content. This means it comes partly from recycled materials.
The average US office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of printer paper per year. So it’s incredibly important to use that paper wisely.
Recently, Staples began selling 100% recycled paper towels. They use 60% post-consumer and 40% post-industrial waste. No trees used!
Also, choose remanufactured ink cartridges. Each recycled cartridge keeps about 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills. Consequently, it also saves half a gallon of oil.
Recycle Old Phones
Also, please recycle your old cell phones, tablets or devices. You can recycle at Goodwill Stores or at ecoATM kiosks across the country.
Another way to tackle resource waste is digitize everything. Avoid printing anything if you can and definitely recycle that office paper. User manuals or meeting agendas can be posted online or added to a work computer’s hard drive. Also, place a few recycle bins around the office for paper and aluminum cans. That way if you need to print something, at least it can be recycled when you’re done with it.
Outside of printing, food and food preparation also produces a lot of waste. Consider looking to biodegradable eating supplies for the kitchen or break room. There are various companies that sell eco-friendly cups, plates, bowls, spoons and forks. Also look into supplying filtered water instead of bottled, and post a recycling fact sheet in the dining areas.
Be Resourceful
When you choose products, use recycled paper for the office. In addition, always look for recycled materials. Moreover, pick printer paper, pens, equipment, and food supplies made from recycled sources. This promotes conservation. Therefore, it keeps trash out of oceans and landfills.
Also, make sure everyone has a personal cup or mug. Encourage them to use it for coffee, water, or tea. Consequently, you cut down on waste. Reusable items replace disposable ones and recycle office paper.
