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 Offices around the world are intense users (and wasters) of energy - from high-volume paper use to energy-wasting electronics and lightbulbs. In this age where being green does matter, both at home and in the workplace, offices can no longer be nonchalant about their carbon footprints.
Below are 10 easy techniques for greening your workplace. Offices that implement these environmentally friendly practices will not only save energy and reduce their carbon footprints, but also they will save a considerable amount of money in the process.
1) Print double-sided documents when possible. Much of the paper that is printed in the office can easily be printed double-sided. This simple technique will save your office money and help the environment in many ways. Also use the backside of already used paper when printing interoffice memos and faxes.
2) Use a scanner. A scanner is an essential green product for the workplace. It saves paper and saves money. Employees must learn to scan e-mail papers to clients and coworkers instead of using paper to send them via the mail.
3) Recycle all old ink and toner cartridges. Recycling old ink and toner cartridges from printer, copier and fax machines will reduce your office's carbon footprint. Many office supply stores will take old cartridges and recycle them properly. When in doubt, call the company from where the cartridge was purchased and request a recycling kit.
4) Organize office recycling procedures. Offices no longer have an excuse for not recycling used paper. Most office buildings have a recycling system in place. If yours does not, insist upon one being established. Make sure all employees have easy access to a recycling bin. Make recycling the norm, not the exception.
5) Shut down all electronics at night. Electronics that are left on waste energy throughout the night. All employees should get in the habit of turning off every computer, fax and copy machine at night to save energy. Computer "screen savers" do not save energy, so employees should set their computers to enter "sleep" mode after 15 minutes of inactivity.
6) Monitor air conditioning and heating in your building. Air conditioning and heating costs offices billions each year. Turn off the heating and cooling at night to save energy and money.
7) Lighting. Energy saving lightbulbs are now readily available in many countries. These will save on office energy bills and reduce their carbon footprints. Insist that employees turn off lights when leaving their offices, and ensure that all lights in the building are turned off when the office is closed. Encourage employees to take advantage of any and all natural light by keeping window shades up during light hours of the day to save energy.
8) Purchase green products. Many office supply retailers now offer green products such as fair trade coffee, recycled paper towels and tissues, nonpolluting soap and eco-friendly cubicles. These green products will cut your office's carbon footprint.
9) Sign up for office water delivery. People across the world waste billions of plastic water bottles a year. Encourage your employees to cut this waste by signing up for office water delivery. Large water retailers will deliver 5 gallon tubs of water to your office, reusing or recycling the tubs when you are finished.
10) Offer incentives for green commuting. Award bonuses or offer discounted transit cards to employees who commute to work, either by carpooling or taking public transportation. Green methods of transportation are imperative for offices trying to lower their carbon footprint and to save energy.
Written by EAA
Content provided by Associated Content for MercaTrade.com
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