The 11 Best Ways to Green Your Office
Efforts to reduce the operating costs associated with office work can lower environmental impact at the same time. Decisions to change the approach to certain office activities should take into account the availability of various products and the health concerns that arise from numerous people working together in close quarters. Some good ways to embrace green habits and technologies include:
1. Use recycled printer paper – The quality of recycled paper has improved in recent years, and the cost can be significantly lower. Formal documents can be printed on pristine white pages, but all the draft pages that are generated by printers in the office should be recycled paper.
2. Choose paper alternatives – Document management is one of the most innovative solutions to come along. Instead of rows of filing cabinets, all important documents are converted into an electronic image that is stored in a database.
3. Use both sides – Printers and copiers have been enhanced to support duplex printing, which ensures that most documents will be printed on both sides of the page.
4. Buy FairTrade Products – Even if the only products used by the office are FairTrade coffee and tea, the support of the effort to improve working conditions in developing countries is important.
5. Recycle equipment – Used office equipment can be sold directly to another user, reclaimed for parts or simply disposed of through a reputable recycling facility. All of these options are better than sending more office equipment to the landfills.
6. Buy second hand – Many secondary markets exist for the acquisition of office furniture and equipment. Cost savings is one of many reasons to embrace this approach to filling needs.
7. Keep favorite pens – Inexpensive disposable pens sound like a great way to be within reach of a writing instrument at all times, but there are 14 million pens sold in the United States every day. Use of one pen until the ink is gone makes more sense.
8. Turn off lights – Motion-sensitive switches in offices and conference rooms can save 10-15 percent on the electrical costs for the office each year. Instead of requiring each person to flip switches, installation of automated switches is a reliable solution.
9. Power down equipment – Large copiers and printers draw significant amounts of electrical power and should be in stand-by mode overnight. Power consumption will drop by approximately 30 percent during the year when equipment is not left on around the clock.
10. Utilize daylight – Lights in offices that have a full wall of lights should be left off during daylight hours. This practice allows natural light to be used in place of electrical lighting.
11. Embrace car pools – The amount of energy required to get to work can be reduced by sharing rides with other employees or riding public transportation. Fewer drivers will find more open parking places after arriving at work.
Energy-saving practices can reduce costs and improve the work setting when each person voluntarily participates. Practical efforts are appreciated by those who want to see the company remain profitable. Some employees will want to know more about certain aspects of the program to allow them to implement similar habits at home.
Chris McCrone
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