| Office environments can be brutal to the | | | | for scrap paper. Use it to take messages, write |
| environment. With all the electricity being used for | | | | reminders, etc.l Instead of making copies of very |
| lights and computers, plus all the paper and office | | | | large documents, email them or put the document |
| supplies going into the garbage every day, there | | | | together in a Power Point presentation.l When |
| certainly are a lot of environmental hazards. The | | | | possible, read documents on the computer rather |
| good news is that cutting down on the | | | | than printing them out.l Always use the “Print |
| environmental waste is very easy to do in offices. | | | | Preview” option before printing something out. |
| By simply putting a few practices into motion, you | | | | This will let you see if there are mistakes in your |
| can easily make your office space a green space! | | | | document and save you from printing it out |
| Clear-Environment.co.uk have provided some easy | | | | twice.l Email phone messages and other messages |
| to implement tips below. | | | | instead of writing them on paper.l Regularly |
| 1. Save Electricityl Instead of taking the elevator | | | | update mailing lists and delete any that are out of |
| every day, use the stairs. Not only will you be | | | | date.l Don’t use fax cover sheets when you |
| saving energy, but you’ll also be getting your | | | | don’t absolutely have to.l Create business |
| daily dose of exercise too!l Turn your lights off | | | | cards for departments rather than for individual |
| every time you leave your office or area, even if | | | | people.l Use scrap paper that has writing on one |
| it’s only for ten minutes. The notion that you | | | | side to create draft documents. Always make |
| use more electricity turning lights on and off | | | | sure that all staples and paper clips have been |
| simply isn’t true. You use less electricity when | | | | removed.l Change printer settings so that |
| you aren’t using it.l Use windows to their | | | | “Draft” qualities are being printed rather |
| maximum capacity. Draw back the curtains and | | | | than “Best.” This will reduce the amount |
| let all that natural light in! You might not even need | | | | of times you’ll need to print the document. |
| to use a light at all.l Turning off your cell phone | | | | 3. Share Stationaryl Ask that reports be printed |
| when it’s finished charging is another great | | | | once and passed around the office for everyone |
| way to save electricity. Leaving your phone | | | | to read instead of printing out a different report |
| turned on once it’s finished charging actually | | | | for every person.l Share supplies such as staplers, |
| uses just as much electricity as when it’s | | | | hole punches, etc. instead of buying each person |
| charging.l Use energy saving tools on devices such | | | | their own.l Use labels that can be reused for |
| as computers, printers, and photocopiers. Check | | | | sending out packages and then reuse the |
| to see if any of these have a standby feature | | | | packages.l Use tape dispensers and pens that are |
| that they could stay in when not in use or shut | | | | refillable rather than buying new ones. |
| them down when possible.l When it’s time to | | | | 4. Recyclel Buy recycled paper products. Make |
| leave for the day, unplug all of the machines. | | | | sure that anything that will be going through a |
| When machines are kept plugged in, there is still | | | | machine such as a printer or photocopier can |
| electricity moving through the plug. Unplug | | | | handle high volumes of recycled paper. Also buy |
| everything, and know that there is no electrical | | | | re manufactured toner rather than buying new.l |
| activity going on when you’re not there.l Turn | | | | Use recycling bins. Set a few up for paper, |
| down the heating or air conditioning when you | | | | aluminum, and cardboard and place them |
| leave for the day so that there’s not energy | | | | throughout the office.l Use a reusable mug for |
| being wasted when there’s no one there.l | | | | your coffee instead of using a paper or plastic |
| During the summer months, close the blinds | | | | cup several times a day.l Car pool with a friend on |
| partially. This will keep the room from heating up | | | | the way to and from work or take the bus. |
| and using more air conditioning.l Use only as much | | | | 5. Pass It Onl Tell your office that you’re |
| water and coffee grinds as you need for your | | | | going green and encourage everyone to join in! |
| office. If you’re the only drinking coffee, | | | | Going green is especially important in today’s |
| don’t make a whole pot. | | | | day and age when everyone’s worried about |
| 2. Reduce Suppliesl Keep track of how much | | | | using up our resources and reducing consumption. |
| paper and toner you use. Just keeping track of | | | | Office spaces are one of the easiest places to go |
| how much paper you’re wasting is sure to | | | | green, and maybe even save some overhead |
| make you pay attention to it and reduce the | | | | costs too! |
| number. Use any paper that can’t be used | | | | |