ECO-NOMIC$ – Tips for Going Green In The Workplace
Going Green…You tell yourself you should, you tell yoursel you want to, but the whole idea of going green seems like a lot of work, a lot of involvement and dedication so you put it off. “Maybe next week, this week I have so many meetings, so many deadlines… I already recycle at home”. And you put it off yet again.
Well, the good news is it’s neither that difficult nor complicated. Share the tips below with your colleagues and, together, you will not only help save the environment but save some money in the long run as well.
Going Green CAN be easy!
- Buy an office plant
It will do wonders for the atmosphere and a green plant produces vital oxygen for you through photosynthesis.
- Switch off the lights
During your lunch hour and at the end of a long day – give your bulbs a rest and switch off the lights. And for when you need it – use an energy saving bulb instead. LED lighting will be the future of energy saving lighting systems.
- Ergonomically designed office furniture
What does good posture have to do with going green you ask? Saves gas money spent on going to the doctors trying to fix your bad back.
- Create a healthy office environment
Green, natural and earth-friendly products can make your workspace sparkling clean without harsh chemicals.
- Ramp up your recycling
Make it a habit to recycle everything your company collects. Just about any kind of paper you would encounter in an office, including fax paper, envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. So can your old cell phone, PDA, or pager.
- Mugs are In
Start a bring-your-own coffee mug policy for the break room and ditch the foam cups. Your company will reduce waste and save money as well.
- Bring back the errand-boy/girl
Rather than having lots of employees running in and out of the office for various reasons throughout the day, designate one person who can handle most or all of the out-of-office tasks in one trip, whether it’s picking up lunch, dropping off mail at the post office, making deliveries, etc.
- Invest in new office equipment
Consider replacing aging desktop computers with laptops instead, which can use up to 70 percent less electricity and generate less heat waste.
- Recycle paper
Cut up used papers that doesn’t have confidential/private information and use it for scratch paper. PHOTOCOPY DOUBLE-SIDED: Consider photocopying a multi-page document on both sides of the page. PRINT IN DRAFT MODE: Consider printing documents that are internal flyers or memos in the draft mode. Save the company printer ink/toner as most memos and flyers are read once and eventually thrown away.
- Reconsider your commute
Make it a habit to carpool, bike, or take transit to work, and/or telecommute when possible.
There are thousands of ways to green your workplace and even more people doing their part on a daily basis. Share your tips with us, let’s all learn from each other and tackle this as a group. Leave a comment, suggestion, practices you’ve seen implemented. Tell us what about your green efforts!
Monica F
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment