Here are some handy tips from Dave Boulle of Mason Complete Office Solutions for a greener day at work.
ELECTRICITY USAGE
- Turn off lights, computers, printers, photocopiers when they are not in use. Especially at night, but also in unused offices and rooms.
- Set your computers, printer and electrical devices to the optimal energy efficient settings.
- Invest in energy efficient devices (those with the Energy Star compliant logo).
- Drink water instead of tea or coffee. It is also healthier for you.
- If you insist on that cup of coffee, substitute one or more cups with a cup or two of water.
- When you do boil the kettle, boil just enough water for the number of cups of tea or coffee you are making.
- Open a window when it is hot and let the cool air flow in rather than use an air conditioner.
- Replace CRT monitors with flat screen monitors as they use less electricity.
- Walk between the floors rather than catching the lift. Walking will also improve your health and keep you fit.
- Use energy efficient light bulbs to reduce the use of electricity.
PAPER USAGE
- File documents electronically and ensure that they are backed up regularly.
- Print on both sides of the paper.
- Invest in duplex printers and copiers that can print both sides automatically.
FUEL
- Cycle or walk to work. Try this on one day a month. Schedule that day to be in the office, leave home early to avoid the traffic and feel refreshed when you get in.
- Share cars with people who live and work close by. Joining a lift club will increase your social circle as well.
- Travel outside of peak traffic by working at home.
- Invest in video- and telephone-conferencing rather than fly to a business meeting.
- Co-ordinate your trips around necessary business meetings and schedule back-to-back meetings to reduce inefficient travelling backwards and forwards.
IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT
- Buy ‘green’ office stationery that is made from recycled and environmentally friendly materials.
- Use green office cleaning materials which are less harmful to the environment.
- Print on recycled paper or paper that has been made from wood from FSC-approved plantations and forests.
- Invest in real plants for the office to increase the output of oxygen and the absorption of carbon dioxide.
PRINTER CARTRIDGES
- Don’t print unless you absolutely have to. Print in ‘draft’ mode for internal documents.
WATER
- Fit low-flow faucet aerators to reduce the water usage in the office.
- Install dual-flush toilets [or Water Rhapsody Multiflush toilet mechanisms – see product demo]
- Put a brick or a bottle of water into the toilet reservoir to reduce the water usage [also toilet hippo].
- Fix leaking taps and toilets.
Source: Simply Green May/June 2010
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