Making a Greener Office

With the growing concerns over the environment, we all need to do our part to go green. This can be accomplished by reducing carbon emissions, recycling waste and using recycled products. Making a greener office can be as simple as turning off lights and computers to setting up a full recycling center.

Ten Ways to Make a Greener Office

1. Use recycled paper – This save trees, energy and water plus averts air pollution because recycled paper uses less energy in production.

2. Purchase other recycled and environmentally friendly office supplies

3. Turn off electronic devices when not in use - Not only will you save money on electricity, you will also prevent unnecessary carbon emissions. If your computer will be idle for a while during the day, put it in sleep mode, a great energy-saver. Turn off all unnecessary electronics when you leave the office at night.

4. Switch to energy-saving power strips - Even when you turn your computer off it still draws power. The same applies to copiers, printers and scanners. Purchase power strips that include built-in energy saving features.

5. Recycle your ink and toner cartridges – Most office supply stores will accept your empty cartridges and offer you discounts on purchases in return. Buying recycled cartridges will help the environment and save money.

6. Recycle your old electronic devices – Each year, Americans throw away millions of tons of old or broken electronics, creating potentially harmful waste known as tech trash.

7. Use recycle bins – Provide separate recycle bins in strategic points around the office for employees to place their cans, paper and plastic appropriately, other unrecyclable trash should have its own container.

8. Use eco-friendly cleaning products – Request that your cleaners use green products and buy eco-friendly cleaning supplies for office use, as well.

9. Use bio-degradable plates, cups and utensils – You don’t have to sacrifice quality for flimsy paper plates, bio-degradable items now use a strong, rigid product made from plant fiber – they are even microwavable!

10. See the light – Switch off lights when possible and buy energy saving compact fluorescent light-bulbs (CFLs). Compared to incandescent bulbs giving the same amount of light, CFLs use less power and last longer. A CFL can save over $30 in electricity costs over its life time compared to an incandescent bulb.

Through the Chamber’s SmartBuys Program, Office Depot offers many green products to Chamber members at a discounted price through their new catalog, The Greener Office. Not only will these tips help save the environment, your company can save up to 60 percent on office supplies as well. Whether you already use Office Depot or want to begin saving now, please call 888.213.8948, ext. 5451.