| I've worked in a green office for quite a few years | | | | reduce the carbon footprint for traveling to and from |
| now, and sometimes it's easy to forget how far | | | | work is an effective step to take. |
| you've come along the path of sustainability. Office | | | | Some possibilities include: tax breaks/bike racks for |
| spaces have a huge footprint, and reducing its impact | | | | cyclists, priority parking for hybrids, or ride share |
| will be a group accomplishment that ultimately will | | | | bulletin boards. Creating these dialogues at work will |
| save you money and give you something to be | | | | really take off and lead to better working |
| proud of. | | | | relationships amongst employees and help spawn |
| Have a Process in Place for Reallocating Excess | | | | creativity. You may even consider proposing |
| Supplies. | | | | telecommuting to employees, this is getting more |
| Whether it's printer cartridges, old binders or a fax | | | | popular as time goes on. |
| machine, have a process in place to have a new life | | | | Be Picky About Power Usage and Consumption. |
| for these items and keep them out of the landfill. | | | | Lighting is obviously important, but consider how you |
| Most printer cartridges have return programs with | | | | use it and if you could be using it more effectively. |
| purchasing credits as an incentive. Also, set up a | | | | Newer fluorescent bulbs consume much less energy |
| board in the break room or on an intranet page that | | | | and even last longer. Make it an employee's task to |
| lists items that are no longer needed. | | | | ensure lights are off when the last person leaves for |
| For example, imagine that your department have a | | | | the day. |
| box full of old reports in binders that are taking up | | | | Energy savings are more recognized in the long term, |
| space on the shelf. Instead of tossing it altogether, | | | | but are nonetheless very significant. Other than |
| recycle the paper and put the binders up for grabs | | | | lighting, look to ensure that fax machines and printers |
| on a list. Chances are good someone else needs | | | | are turned off at night, too. Computer energy usage |
| them. Furthermore, you can consider schools as | | | | creates a lot of debate, but one thing to agree on is |
| recipients of excess materials and supplies. Have an | | | | to turn off the monitor completely at the end of the |
| employee assign their kid the job of finding out if | | | | day, if not the whole machine. |
| their classroom could use some materials. Who | | | | The eco friendly office starts with simple tasks such |
| knows, maybe kids are already asking their parents if | | | | as reducing energy consumption and making sure |
| they have stuff at work for donation. You may be | | | | that machines and lights are turned off at the end of |
| quite surprised with the results. | | | | the day. Devising a plan to reduce the impact of |
| Get Carpooling in Place, and Set Up Incentives for | | | | commuting is another big step in the right direction. |
| Alternate Transportation. | | | | Reducing office waste is yet another achievable goal. |
| With cars responsible for over 30% of our nation's | | | | All of these habits will save your office money and |
| carbon emissions/greenhouse gases, it's important to | | | | get everyone thinking in a healthier direction. |
| recognize alternate transportation. Some states have | | | | So remember, the eco friendly office starts with: |
| tax breaks in place for employees that drive hybrids | | | | -Reduced lighting and energy use. |
| to work, or for riding their bike to work. If not, | | | | -An incentivized sustainable commuting program. |
| consider the suggestion to executives. Anything to | | | | -A comprehensive waste reduction program. |