Although many people are going to great lengths to conserve energy and recycle their trash at home, the same people are not always as “green-conscious” in the workplace. Businesses produce trash and energy waste in bulk quantity. It can be challenging to follow conservation practices at work when things are already hectic, and there is little time left over for taking care of the planet. Yet it is more important than ever to maintain our “green” methods wherever we are; at work, at home, on vacation, or merely a night out with the family.
This article discusses five ways to reduce the amount of trash you create the office. Once you finish reading the article, pass on the ideas stated within to your boss and coworkers.
Reuse the Paper
Use, then Reuse paper when copying and printing. Use both sides of the paper. Remember: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Once the document on one side of the sheet is read and has no further use, stack it in a box for reuse in the printer or copier. In a small office, one box near the printer and or copier may be enough, but for larger companies, each person may need a tray to store used paper ready for reuse. Usage of the paper’s both sides not only reduce the amount of offices’ waste, but it also saves the organizations’ money.
Envelopes and folders can be reused as scrap paper. Instead of expensive and wasteful post-its and memo pads, jot down notes on used envelopes and file folders. Although this may seem more disorganized and cluttered, think of all the good it does for the environment.
Set up a Central Memo Location
By setting up a bulletin board area for official notices, you will eliminate the need to send an individual copy of each memo to every person in the office. The Memo Location should be set up in a place, like an employee lounge, where everyone is likely to go during the day. Dry Erase boards can also be useful if your company is not too large, but there is always the risk that a message gets erased or smudged before it can be read. Take some time to compare alternative methods for getting messages to everyone rather than using large amounts of paper for memos. Chances are there is a way that is not only energy saving but time and money-saving as well.
Take Advantage of New Technology
Using email is another more energy-efficient way to communicate with coworkers over sending memos. Companies could save thousands of dollars and hundreds of trees each year by using email instead of paper for correspondence. Also, read the email online before decided if it needs to be printed out. Avoid simply auto printing correspondence and use cut and paste with a word processing program (or Google Docs) to only print out the necessary information from the email.
Use Fax Modem
Another right way to use technology to conserve paper is to use a fax-modem, which allows faxes to be sent directly to a computer without printing out a paper copy. If you do send faxes through a regular fax machine, only send a cover page if it is necessary.
Use Office Products Made from Recycled Materials
Use recycled paper and other office supplies that are made from recycled materials. Staples, High-speed Flexo printer slotter die cutter stacker, Office Max and other large office supply companies sell such items. However, you can also search online for a wider variety.
On the end of the reusing procedure, you should set up canisters around the workplace and in the worker’s lounge for paper, plastic and metal things. Setting up a reusing system may take a little while, but the advantages outweigh the inconvenience.
Wrap Up
Avoid Using Disposable Products Whenever Possible Disposable products add to the ever-growing landfill problem in this country and are often completely unnecessary. Disposable paper cups can be replaced with ceramic mugs. Specific printer cartridges can be refilled. Packing materials can be used and reused over again. Small companies that use regular coffee machines can purchase reusable filters instead of disposable paper ones.
Look around the place where you work. I’m sure you will find small changes that can add up to significant differences in the environment.