- Reduce Paper Usage
The average US office worker uses 12,000 sheets of paper per year and paper accounts for roughly 40% of all municipal solid waste in the United States. A few simple steps can help you reduce paper usage dramatically in your office.
- Encourage Telecommuting, Use of Public Transportation and Carpooling
Save fuel usage, employee expense on gas and office energy usage by offering telecommuting. For employees coming to the office, offer incentives for use of public transportation and carpooling.
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Advances in workflow tools and technology have made the virtual office easily attainable. According to a Gartner Group survey, telecommuters are 40 percent more productive than office-based workers, and businesses are seeing a connection between telecommuting and increased revenues.
- Take Small Steps to Reduce Energy Consumption
Implement a few energy-saving measures to help fight air pollution, global warming and to reduce your company’s electric or natural gas bill.
Invest in energy saving power strips, which can make up for their costs in just a few weeks. Turn off lights when not in use, especially in bathrooms, kitchens and lower use areas. Take advantage of natural daylight and reduce lighting inside the office. Be use to power down large office equipment (and unplug!) when employees are done working.
- Support Fair Trade/Local Businesses
Become a fair trade workplace by switching to Fair Trade Certified™ coffees and teas. Go the extra step by looking for Fair Trade Certified™ and organic coffee. Consider local vendors for food and other supplies.
- Switch All Light Bulbs to Compact Fluorescents
While the initial investment may cost more than conventional bulbs, CFLs last longer-- so over time your office will save money and save energy.
- Compost When Possible
Keep a sealed compost container in the office kitchen. Use to fertilize office plants or allow employees to take the compost home to their own compost piles. You can also consider getting a worm composter for your office kitchen.
- Reuse and Recycle
Take every advantage to reuse materials in the office.
This can include re-using envelopes for intra-office and postal mail, using rechargeable batteries and buy recycled toner cartridges. Recycle glass, plastic, metal cans, white paper, and mixed paper and organics.
- Reduce Computer Energy Consumption
By turning off or at least powering down your PCs during periods of inactivity – such as at night or over the weekend – Energy Star estimates that firms can save anywhere between $25-$75 per PC per year. Set computers to switch to a low-power sleep mode after a few minutes of inactivity and make sure to optimize efficiency settings on all newer computers.
- Become Carbon Neutral
Calculate the carbon emissions of your office (using an online calculator or by contacting your local power company), then purchase carbon offsets. Review a list of vendors here.
- Reduce Water Usage
Check all office kitchens and bathrooms regularly for leaks and fix immediately. Install low-flow toilets (alternately, you can place a plastic container filled with water in the tank of the toilet). Encourage employees to be conscious of water usage when cooking, making coffee and tea, etc.
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