Greening Your Office
The New Sustainable Office Practices (SOP)
1. Recycling
a. Provide an office recycling program that includes cardboard, paper, bottles,cans & rigid plastic containers. Provide janitorial collection if available.
b. Other recycling efforts- Rechargeable batteries, Electronics (computers, monitors, printers and cell phones), Film Plastics (shrink wrap, plastic bags, etc.), Fluorescent Lamps, Glass, Latex Paint, Motor Oil, Printer Cartridges, Styrofoam, and Cooking Oil.
http://www.recyclingcenters.org/Nevada/Las_Vegas_89139_recycling_centers.php
c. Recycle and reuse office supplies because someone might want that is no longer needed. Donate old work computers to a local school for a potential tax deduction or sell them to a used computer store. For example Donate to Blind School.
d. Fax machines should print on plain recycled paper rather than chemically treated non-recyclable thermal paper.
e. Refill laser, inkjet, and fax cartridges or return them for recharging, recycling or remanufacturing.
f. Have printing done on recycled paper with soy based ink.
g. Use other recycled products including toilet paper, paper towels, trashcan liners, writing pads or post its, envelopes, business cards, and letter heads. Choose computer and electronic manufacturers that dispose of their digital equipment in an environmentally and social way, and have a corporate responsibility of recycling their products. Clean hard drives before disposal.
Apple:http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/
Microsoft:http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/personal/oldpc.mspx
Office Depot:www.officedepot.comTake to any office depot store and they will ship for you. $5- $10 shipping and handling charge. Check website for acceptable items. Includes most electronics.
2. Waste Reduction and Prevention
a. Alternatives to paper towels in all bathrooms, lunchrooms, and kitchens. Use cloth-roller towels, recycle paper towel, thermal dryers, or air blowers for bathrooms and kitchen.
b. Reusable dishware available in all kitchens. Encourage to heat food in glass or ceramic containers.
c. Eliminate Styrofoam and paper cups to reduce waste.
d. Bring in your own mug or water bottle to refill. If at all possible, offer to your employees non- disposable plates, silverware, and cups/glasses to use to encourage skipping paper cups and Styrofoam. Offer company logo dishware.
e. Set up printers to automatically print double sided
f. Eliminate bottled water and instead supplying the office with a water purifier for use with glasses that can be washed and re-used, or use of water dispenser.
g. Establish a draft printer to be stocked with old fax paper or other paper used on one side.
h. Develop and implement at least one paperless office effort (email vs. fax/snail, email invoices, offsite back-up systems, etc.) i.e. Client and Holiday E-Cards.
i. Purchase Material in bulk.
j. Distribute circulars rather than individual copies.
k. Don’t buy over packaged products; tell retailers that you prefer simple biodegradable packaging.
l. Don’t over purchase; encourage everyone to use up office supplies and order only what they need.
3. Energy Savings
a. Change all fluorescent lamps to T8’s with electronic ballasts.
b. Turn off computers and monitor shut-down of all monitors and computers at the end of the work day. Consider switching from desktops to laptops will save energy.
c. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs lighting fixtures.
d. Keep refrigerator temperature between 38 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and freezer temperature between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
e. Install timers or motion sensors in hallway, bathrooms, closets, conference or break rooms.
f. Install timers or motion sensors on outdoor lights (except areas requiring security).
g. Adjust thermostats to heat rooms at 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and to cool rooms at 76 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Set water heater to 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (unless required for health purposes). Do not heat or cool unused areas in building. Program for holidays and weekends. Cut temperature by a degree or two, overheating makes people less alert.
h. Look for Energy Star Label on any new computers- Sleep mode uses 70% less energy. Ask if the computers contain BDE’s that interfere in brain development and cancer in laboratories.
i. Draft –proof doors and windows and insulate walls.
j. Encourage employees to live near their workplace with incentives to use public transportation and to carpool and support telecommuting. Encourage cycling to work by providing bike racks (i.e.) Carpooling during late winter/summer months and biking during spring and fall months. Design or implement a shower and locker room for changing clothes.
k. Re-schedule your janitorial to clean during mid afternoon rather than evening. This will save energy not having the utilities, appliances, and lights on during the evening.
4. Reuse
a. Use rechargeable batteries.
b. Participate in or start a reusable office supply exchange program.
c. Reuse packing peanuts.
d. Reuse boxes and packing materials.
e. Whenever possible, reuse envelopes and labels.
f. Lease equipment.
g. Consider used furniture and equipment and remanufactured copiers, cartridges and other products.
h. Purchase products can be refilled or reconditioned, toner cartridges for laser printers and photo copy machines.
i. Use second side of discarded paper.
j. Reuse files, ring binders, especially for internal use.
k. Use string, rather than layers of plastic tape to tie packages.
5. Water Conservation
a. Install low flow toilets.
b. Use leak tablets or food coloring to detect toilet leaks. If detected, document and fix leaks.
c. Reduce irrigation frequency and avoid watering during the hottest times of the day and on windy days. Consider "desert landscaping" in front lawns.
d. Install faucet aerators in bathrooms and kitchens.
e. Use drip irrigation and/or soaker hoses instead of broadcast spray sprinklers.
f. Install low-flow shower heads.
g. Use front loading washing machines (with energy star label).
6. Healthy Alternatives
a. Ask for healthy drink alternatives.
b. Switch to organically grown or fair trade coffees.
c. Choose odor free and use odorless and water based pens.
d. Purchase furniture from sustainable materials and sustainable harvested wood. Visit secondhand/vintage stores for affordable finds that have history behind it.
e. Green up the office with real plants. Good for the air and spirit.
f. Use natural materials such as rattan and wood, bamboo, wheat press board.
g. Check for sources of air pollution in carpets, photocopy machines, art supplies.
h. Make the best of natural daylight and ventilation.
i. Ensure good ventilation and open windows if possible.
j. Install ceiling fans - they consume less energy.
k. Increase daylight by positioning desks near windows.
l. Position laser printers and photo copy machines away from work station because they contain toners and solvents that people shouldn’t breathe. Use green cleaning products. Clorox has green products now. It's called Green Works. It ranges from cleaning wipes, dishwashing liquid, surface / glass / toilet bowl cleaner.
Other Recommendations:
Establish an Outreach and Education Program for the office with leadership roles. Hold training and education sessions for the employees and staff. Provide easily accessible resource information in the office break room area and on the web. Designate staff or office recycling and sustainable coordinator to oversee and maintain recycling program. Set, monitor and track office milestones and progress.
