Build a greener office with these 5 ideas
Business Technology | April 22, 2011
Creating a greener office is a great way to simultaneously save money and help the environment. Some small businesses assume that going green takes too much effort, but that’s hardly the case. Here are a handful of quick and simple ways to make your office greener.
1. Use double-sided printing whenever possible
Setting your printer and/or copier’s default mode to double-sided printing automatically cuts down on the amount of paper used in your office. This is an incredibly simple step. And if anybody ever needs to utilize the one-sided printing feature, he or she can quickly change the setting.
2. Use a water delivery service
Getting rid of bottled water in your office can have an enormous impact. Consuming bottled water is not only wasteful it can also be unhealthy. Plastic is made using Bisphenol A (BPA) which contains harmful levels of estrogen and has been declared a toxic substance by some countries. Cutting back on that habit eliminates both waste and possible health risks.
3. Turn lights and machines off when they’re not being used
While this may seem like an obvious way to be greener, many people overlook its necessity. Some people think that it’s more efficient to leave computers and other machines on overnight, but it’s far more wasteful than anything else. If you can afford to install motion sensors, they are always a great option as well.
4. Use recycled and recyclable products when you can
Almost any paper product can be found in recycled versions at major office supply retailers. While they’re much better for the environment, they are typically comparable in price to non-recycled versions.
Also, if you must use disposable plates and cups, try to get recyclable or compostable options. It’s not enough to simply buy recyclable products, it’s vital to have an easy-to-follow recycling program. Stress to your employees the necessity of recycling those products, otherwise there’s a good chance they’ll end up in the trash.
5. Cut down on commuting
If you have a company filled with commuters, it can be very helpful to implement some sort of carpool matching service that connects employees who live near one another. Offering parking incentives or other bonuses to people who carpool is an excellent way to generate interest in the program.
These are all simple and inexpensive ways to make your office greener and to ensure that your business has less of an impact on the environment. If you’re interested in finding more ways to green your business, take a look at this article.
Creating a greener office is a great way to simultaneously save money and help the environment. Some small businesses assume that going green takes too much effort, but that’s hardly the case. Here are a handful of quick and simple ways to make your office greener.
1. Use double-sided printing whenever possible
Setting your printer and/or copier’s default mode to double-sided printing automatically cuts down on the amount of paper used in your office. This is an incredibly simple step. And if anybody ever needs to utilize the one-sided printing feature, he or she can quickly change the setting.
2. Use a water delivery service
Getting rid of bottled water in your office can have an enormous impact. Consuming bottled water is not only wasteful it can also be unhealthy. Plastic is made using Bisphenol A (BPA) which contains harmful levels of estrogen and has been declared a toxic substance by some countries. Cutting back on that habit eliminates both waste and possible health risks.
3. Turn lights and machines off when they’re not being used
While this may seem like an obvious way to be greener, many people overlook its necessity. Some people think that it’s more efficient to leave computers and other machines on overnight, but it’s far more wasteful than anything else. If you can afford to install motion sensors, they are always a great option as well.
4. Use recycled and recyclable products when you can
Almost any paper product can be found in recycled versions at major office supply retailers. While they’re much better for the environment, they are typically comparable in price to non-recycled versions.
Also, if you must use disposable plates and cups, try to get recyclable or compostable options. It’s not enough to simply buy recyclable products, it’s vital to have an easy-to-follow recycling program. Stress to your employees the necessity of recycling those products, otherwise there’s a good chance they’ll end up in the trash.
5. Cut down on commuting
If you have a company filled with commuters, it can be very helpful to implement some sort of carpool matching service that connects employees who live near one another. Offering parking incentives or other bonuses to people who carpool is an excellent way to generate interest in the program.
These are all simple and inexpensive ways to make your office greener and to ensure that your business has less of an impact on the environment. If you’re interested in finding more ways to green your business, take a look at this article.