New Year’s Resolution: Go Green in 2018!

Paper and Printing

• Always use both sides of paper when printing.
• When possible, save emails and other documents to your network instead of printing.
• Reduce your margin settings to use less paper.
• Use scrap paper for note taking.
• Shred unwanted documents and reuse them as packing material.
• Reuse shipping boxes. 
• Avoid color printing–print in black and white.  Color printing generally uses more ink than printing in black and white.
• Distribute memos by email.
• Use apps for taking notes instead of a pen and paper.
• Stop using Post-it notes and use scrap paper instead.

Housekeeping

• Provide reusable dishes, silverware and glasses in the staff kitchen.
• Offer filtered water and drinking cups instead of plastic water bottles.
• Buy dispensers for cream and sugar instead of providing individual paper or plastic packets.
• Invest in high-quality equipment that is repairable and durable.
• Establish durable, clearly labeled recycling bins for plastic, glass and aluminum/metal recyclables and place them in a common area for employees.  Educate employees on how to rinse and dispose of recyclables properly according to your local municipality’s guidelines.

Electricity

• Ask the last people to leave to turn off lights and use automatic lights in restrooms.
• Create a weekend and after-hours thermostat setting.
• Adjust the thermostat to a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in winter. 
• Switch over to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Take advantage of natural light when possible.
• Shut down and unplug computers when not in use.

Computers

• Buy for energy savings and quality. 
• Set your computers to sleep mode when not in use.
• Don’t use screen savers as they waste energy.  Set screen savers to a blank screen.

Working together to reduce office waste is a great team building exercise that can last year-round. Foster a positive attitude by encouraging employees to share their own ideas and tips for reducing waste. And once you see a reduction in paper and energy usage, share those numbers with your staff.  It will be a pat-on-the-back for a job well done and a motivator to keep up the good work! 

Understanding the recycling industry can help you make smart decisions both at home and at work. To discuss how to incorporate innovative waste diversion strategies into your company’s recycling plan, contact WDS.