- Reuse envelopes and send them through the mail again whenever possible. We understand that business do not like to send some types of mail in used envelopes for reasons of corporate image. However, many businesses conduct a fair amount of mailing of types where corporate image in not a factor. For this type of mailing, use labels to cover the old address on used envelopes. Some companies sell reuse labels for envelopes, which have a discrete message at the bottom explaining that this envelope was reused to save trees.
- Have each staff persons set aside paper that they use on only one side, so that it can be reused for printing drafts in your printer, or glued together to make scratch pads. As staff accumulate paper, they can transfer it to a centrally located storage box, possibly next to a printer or photocopiers.
- Use padding compound, the glue that holds paper together in tablets, to make scratch pads form your paper that was used only on one side. Padding compound is available from many office supply stores. You can clamp the edge of the paper together with blocks of wood and C-clamps, or you can invest in a small paper padding press. Several types are sold for well under $150.
- Buy "recycled" toner cartridges, and send your spent toner cartridges to be "recycled". Commercially, this is referred to as recycling, but it is actually a form of reuse.
- Encourage staff to use reusable coffee mugs when they pick up coffee in the morning on their way into the office. Hang a mug reuse poster in your break room.
- Invest in rechargeable batteries and battery chargers for digital cameras, flashlights, and other small devices. If your staff can be trusted to not accidentally throw away or loose the rechargeable batteries, in the long run it would be cheaper and better for the environment. More Information.
Working in the office, often you'll feel the need to print off documents just because you can and you think you'll need them later. Copy paper, like the kind used in photocopiers, computer printers and plain-paper fax machines, is the most common type of office waste paper. We ask that you remember a few things before printing off that joke email from a colleague.- Proofread onscreen before printing
- Copy & paste only what you need to print
- Don’t print unnecessary emails
- Reuse documents/copies if possible
- Storage and handling. Paper is bulky to store, in boxes or in file cabinets. By using fewer sheets, you can put storage space to more productive use. For example, Owens Corning recently made all of its offices worldwide "paperless." Having had 14,000 file cabinets around the world, the company has already saved around $30 million in lease costs.
- Mailing costs. Fewer sheets mailed may mean reduced postage. A single-sided 10-page letter costs $0.63 to send by U.S. first class ; that same letter, copied onto both sides of the paper, uses only five sheets and requires only $0.39 in postage. The price of postage is rising, and those extra ounces can really add up.
- Environmental benefits. By increasing double-sided copying (duplexing), U.S. offices could reduce annual paper use by 20 percent (Inform, Inc). By using and discarding less paper, you are conserving resources, reducing water and energy use, and preventing pollution.
If you are self-employed and work form home, simply extend your household efforts to recycle, save energy and reduce consumption to your home office.
- Plug all your office equipment into a power bar and turn it off at the end of the day.
- Switch to energy efficient lighting and try to use electronic communications as much as your business relationships allow.
- Don’t forget to congratulate yourself on your entrepreneurial spirit and your reduced environmental footprint. By not driving to work and occupying additional office space, you are off to a great, green start.
- Carpooling and public transit not only cut vehicle emissions, they reduce traffic congestion and give you a break from behind the wheel.
- “Brown-bagging” it (and re-using the bag) for lunch reduces the amount of food wrappers, plastic cutlery and drink containers in the office. There are many great re-usable, recyclable food containers on the market, as well as stainless steel containers for hot and cold drinks.
- And don’t forget to bring your own coffee cup - it’s an opportunity to reveal your personal style.
Employers can be green leaders in the work world. The size of your business does not matter. Small businesses are the foundation of national economies and if everyone made a commitment to a greener operation, the cumulative effect would be staggering.
- Install low-flow toilets in the washrooms when the time comes to renovate.
- Subsidize bus passes for employees.
- Install secure bicycle racks.Consider motion activated lighting for Board rooms and offices.