If you work in an office, or run your own business, I am sure you see how much paper is ordered and thrown away daily! Three things need to happen here: we need to use less paper, we need to use recycled paper, and we need to recycle used paper. Let’s see how to transform your office into an eco-friendly office just by changing the way you use paper.
- Use less paper. If you need to print, print double-sided, and only print as many copies as you really need. Try to send your documents as PDFs via e-mail. PDF programs these days, such as Adobe Acrobat
and Nuance PDF Converter
- Buy recycled paper for the documents you do need to print. For brochures, business cards, and other items you have printed, try using an on-line company called Printing For Less where you can have your marketing products printed with soy ink on recycled paper. This company has great service and professional marketing tools. For your day to day printing and paper use in the office, shop for green products at Staples , Office Depot, and Amazon.com
- Reuse, Reduce, & Recycle. If you have printed copies out that are to be thrown away, use the backsides for scrap paper to take notes and messages. If you no longer can use the paper product, recycle it. Go to Earth911.org to find out how to recycle in your area. Place bins around the office so that employees will remember to recycle. Have a contest to see which department is most efficient with paper use or recycles the most!
There are many ways to green an office, but I believe that handling paper in an eco-friendly way is the first big step every office should take. Present this to your manager, or start your own recycling plan with the paperwork at your desk. Every step counts!
