How to Make Your Workplace Greener By Using Less & Recycling More

Whether you are ecology minded or just want to save money, you may be able to accomplish both goals with similar, simple changes. Technology has made our lives so much easier in so many ways. But an unfortunate side effect of technology is that we use more “stuff” than we need. It’s time to take a step back and see what we need and what we can do without. Most workplaces will find they can cut back without losing anything at all. In fact, workers may be happier in the long run if there is less “stuff” to deal with.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Take a look at your packing and shipping policies. Examples: A furniture manufacturer that used corrugated boxes for shipping switched to reusable plastic trays. Not only did they save 70 percent on packing costs, but their damage claims dropped by an astonishing 94 percent. Some major retailers have committed to reducing packaging for clothing items. One manufacturer has redesigned the shape of its plastic bottles to make shipping more efficient, and as a happy result, less costly.

2. When you are printing or copying in-house materials, use both sides of the paper. Set the printer to “draft” to use less ink. Instruct employees not to print copies of documents that have been saved on their hard drives, or minimal copies, especially if you have a backup system, which of course, you do.

3. Take a look at your lighting. In areas that do not require as much light, such as hallways, you may be able to use lower watt bulbs, or where there is a series of light bulbs, remove every other one. In a fluorescent light fixture that has four bulbs, experiment to see if you could make do with two. You may also consider installing lights in some little-used areas that are motion sensitive to avoid leaving lights on. Better still, see if it is possible to take advantage of more natural light. Reposition desks nearer to windows. Natural light is feels good and is more illuminating.

4. If the weather is cold or hot, you may want to move work areas away from windows and doors to avoid outdoor temperatures and use less cooling or heating. In most workplaces there are people who are always cold and others who are always hot. The result is, the thermostat is frequently toyed with. If possible, move workstations around to take advantage of the hot or cold spots in the building.

5. Take a look around the office and identify items that can be reused rather than tossed. Example: one large company delivers employee paychecks to their desks in window envelopes. Most of the time the envelopes are still in perfect condition, yet they are almost always thrown away. It’s a simple matter to tell employees to save the envelopes and put them in a collection box that can be rerouted to payroll or another department.

6. Maybe the best idea is to ask employees for ideas to reuse, or cutback the use of various materials. Offer a $25 gift certificate for the best idea. After all, it is usually the people doing the work who have the most accurate perspective on how to do things better.

7. See the resources below for places that where you can recycle the endless supply of electronic products you no longer need.

Tips & Warnings

• Tips: Visit the Electronic Industries Alliance website to see how you can donate and electronic equipment, like obsolete printers. The website is sponsored by a national trade organization. You can also find links to resources in your area on this site. See other sources for recycling under "resources."

Resources

• Electronic Industries Alliance
• Call 2 Recycle
• Collective Good
• Northwest Product Stewardship Council