Tips to help you save the planet, while putting a little coin back in your pocket.
Use certified (CFL’s)
Use certified compact fluorescent lights (CFL’s) instead of halogen or incandescent bulbs. These use 75% less energy, last 10 times longer and produce less heat than other bulbs. LED lighting options are also now available.
Don’t Waste and Recycle
The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year. Don’t print emails unless necessary, and be sure to recycle all paper including shredding. Place recycling bins near faxes and copiers.
Bring in your coffee mug
Eliminate disposable plates, cups and utensils and encourage employees to bring plastic, re-usable containers from home. Also, use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper or cloth towels in the bathroom and kitchen
Maximize computer efficiency
Computers in the business sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year. Make it a habit to turn off your computer when you leave for the day. During the day, set your computer to go to sleep during short breaks, which can help cut energy use by 70 percent
Unplug chargers
when not in use. Mobile phone and Blackberry chargers continue to charge even when not connected to the device, using up to 95% of the power they use when the device is plugged in.
Be a responsible printer.
Much of office printing is unnecessary and a waste of energy and paper resources. Think before you print by considering whether you really need a hard copy. When you do have to print, print only the pages you need, or paste the relevant sections into a Word document and print that instead of the entire document.
Re-use file folders
by placing a new label over the old one.
Save and reuse packaging materials.
Share a ride
to work. You’ll enjoy the added bonus of saving gas money!
Program the fax machine
so that it does not automatically print out a confirmation report for every fax.
Buy recycled paper.
Use Energy Star
copiers, fax machines, computers, etc.
Use a fax modem
(electronic fax) instead of a regular fax machine.
Use refillable ink cartridges
and recycle old ones.
Use blinds
to prevent excess heating in the summertime and save on air conditioning costs.
Use a fan
in the summertime with or without air conditioning. Fans use 98% less energy than air conditioners and make you feel up to 6 degrees cooler.
Digitize
The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and dematerialized whenever possible & minimize paper waste by using the phone or email rather than mail.
Update your mailing address list
delete all out of date contacts.