greenliving
ployee. Biodegradable bathroom tissue,
straws and other lunchroom items, re-
chargeable batteries and refillable pens
all make a small dent in the problem.
Together, they add up to real solutions.
Using recycled paper is another
way to boost the bottom line. It’s avail-
able at all major stationers, but be sure
to read the labels; often, the post-con-
sumer content is only 25 to 35 percent.
We can do better, preferring paper that
weighs in at 100 percent recycled (see
TheGreenOffice.com). Better yet is
paper made from agricultural waste (see
greening
Ecopaper.com), such as seaweed, straw
or kenaf, a variety of flax. Cutting down
trees for paper manufacturing not only
the Office
consumes a lot of energy and water, it
also pollutes our land, air and water.
Green lighting can save dollars
and aid the planet, too. Energy-efficient
compact fluorescent light bulbs screw
right into existing receptacles, but
Simple Steps Can add Up
must be properly recycled through a
community resource or Home Depot
drop-off, because of their mercury
by Jay workman
content. Newer, light emitting diode
(LED) technology can save up to a third
of the electric bill. Propose that your
employer study these options to see if
a
ccording to CoopAmerica.org’s
are analyzed for redundancy and inef-
informed definition, “Green
ficiencies and backups are made daily.
the investment is viable.
businesses operate in ways that
Now, move outward, spearhead-
Maintenance staff will appreciate
solve, rather than cause, both environ-
ing discussions with coworkers about
using greener cleaning products for ev-
mental and social problems.” While
conscientiously using green workplace
erything from washing windows to floor
many Natural Awakenings readers are
systems already in place and brain-
stripping and waxing. They’ll inhale
making increasingly better eco-choices
storming new ideas. Easy-to-implement
fewer toxic fumes and be less likely to
at home, our personal habits at work
initiatives include proper use of recy-
experience skin or eye irritation.
can make a big difference, too.
cling bins; additional ways to conserve
If your office “green team” thinks
Ground zero in this crusade is
electricity; and a switch from throw-
big enough, you just might discover
your desk. Consider creating a custom
aways to real mugs, cutlery and plates
some new innovation that translates
signature for outgoing emails that ends
in the break room.
from your business to others in the
with a message, perhaps in green type,
Schedule a ‘green’ bag lunch with
same industry. One example might be
reminding the recipient not to print the
coworkers and suggest forming a com-
distributing an in-house newsletter via
memo unless necessary. When you do
mittee or club dedicated to greening
email or website, instead of printing
need to print, use both sides of each
the office. Finding eco-friendly office
and snail mailing it every month.
sheet of paper. If a laser printer heats
supplies and new ways to deal with
With a commitment to personal
the paper on the first pass, making it
spent items like toner cartridges, and
awareness of our local working envi-
difficult to manually feed the sheet
then passing suggestions to management
ronment and its connection to commu-
when printing the second side, try
could help the company’s bottom line
nity and the planet, we can all become
programming the system to print on
and single you out as an exemplary em-
part of the solution.
both sides the first time, so that a four-
page document uses only two sheets. It
Using recycled paper is another way to boost the bottom line.
is even possible to become a virtually
paperless office, if existing procedures
It’s available at all major stationers, but be sure to read the labels.
January 2009 23
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