Not only does going green improve the appearance of your business through the consumer lens, but it can also help your bottom line. Although this may sound like an arduous task, going green doesn’t have to be a mammoth task. With the huge amounts of products and services utilised in an office, there is a multitude of steps that your business can take to save money and improve your carbon footprint. Read on to find out more.
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Rubbish
This one is a no-brainer. All businesses produce a wide range of rubbish, and most of that refuse has the ability to be recycled and repurposed. In most countries, you can recycle steel, aluminium, paper, cardboard and plastic through your regular household or office bins. Ensure you know what day of the week the recycling is collected in your suburb and that you have an adequate amount of recycling bins. This information is usually available through your local council or government.
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Printer Cartridges
Did you know that you can actually recycle your printer ink cartridges and your printer toner? Millions of printer cartridges are thrown away every year, which ammasses to tonnes upon tonnes of landfill. Many brands now recycle their cartridges as well as other parts of the printing process; you can also buy these products recycled, too.
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Postage
There are also parts of your office postal process that can be repurposed. For example, you can reuse your office’s envelopes and send them through the mail again where possible. Of course, some mail cannot be recycled due to corporate image. However, there are some circumstances where your corporate image is not an issue, and for this mail, use labels to cover up old addresses and repurpose the envelope!
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Paper
Usually, office workers will discard a piece of paper after using only one side of it. If this is the status quo in your workplace, try and change it! Get your colleagues to set aside the paper that they only use on one side, as this can be used for printing drafts or can be glued or clipped together to make notepads.
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Batteries
Often forgotten about, batteries are also another area where your company to go green. Add another element of sustainability to your business by investing in rechargeable batteries and battery chargers for cameras, flashlights, remote controllers, and all other small devices that you may need batteries for. In the long run, this will be cheaper for your business and better for the environment.
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Coffee mugs
Everyone knows that coffee is synonymous with the 9-5 working lifestyle. Make your office’s caffeine habits eco-friendly by encouraging your colleagues to use reusable mugs when they pick up their coffee in the morning. Give employees a gentle reminder by hanging a mug reuse poster in the office kitchen.
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Buy recycled
There are so many office items you can buy that are made from recycled materials: toilet paper, disposable plates and cups for office parties, paper, notepads, and printing supplies, just to name a few. Next time you are purchasing any office supplies, check with your supplier to see if they offer a recycled option.
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Reduce
One of the key steps transforming your office into a sustainable organisation is to first reduce the amount of waste you produce. Ensure that all office printers are set to print documents double-sided. Make computer files instead of paper files where possible. Reduce the amount of junk mail your office receives by contacting your council. These are all steps that will reduce your office’s carbon footprint.
By adhering to these simple steps above, you can shave huge amounts off your company’s bills, whilst also taking care of the environment. Not only does this increase office morale and encourage green thinking amongst your employees, but it also makes your business more attractive to sustainably-minded customers.