green.back

OK, OK, so it's not THE most original post title, as it was basically lifted from Mr. Migraine's office's new initiative to cut down on waste in the workplace: Go Green, Get Green.

How super fabulous is that?!

According to Mr. M., his company is holding a contest to come up with great ways to reduce waste around the office, with a grand prize of $150! Just imagine how many energy-efficient light bulbs and rolls of recycled toilet paper that would buy!!

I'm going to offer up some suggestions on this, mainly since I spearheaded an initiative at my former prison (read: office), to be as green as possible!

• Switch over to recycled paper products - printer/copy paper usage can be DEADLY to forests given how much we go through in a single workday! This can also include filing folders, calendars, notebooks, business cards, brochures, pamphlets, paper towels, toilet tissue (see above!) etc..
  
• Buy office supplies in bulk. Look, the delivery truck is coming now ANYWAY.. save in fuel and emissions by having things delivered in fewer trips!!
• Engage in more tele/video conferences. Rather than meet in person and waste more fuel, emissions, etc. in traveling - hold your meetings electronically!
• Enforce the total shutting down of computers, lights, electronics of any kind across the board at the close of the business day. LOADS of energy is wasted needlessly from having computers, printers, copiers, lights, etc. on standby or sleep mode all night long. (This would save the company quite a lot of money on their energy bill as well!!) Just make sure that things are definitely shut off - unplugged would be ideal.. but I know how many calls to the IT guy would ensue...
• Keep a normal, regulated temperature at all times. How many of us suffer needlessly at the hand of the almighty Central Air Conditioning of Abominable Strength (yes, ca-ca)?!?!?! By keeping the thermostat at a reasonable temperature, you can save bundles of energy!
• Provide training to the employees on how to properly print, copy, fax. I know this sounds moronic, but I can't tell you HOW MUCH paper (and ink!) gets WASTED because people do not know how to use these machines and have to trial-and-error their way through REAMS of paper!! Get them taught correctly right away and avoid this mess altogether.
• And of course, MAKE SURE YOUR OFFICE HAS A RECYCLING PROGRAM IN PLACE!! At least we can make something positive come out of those office jerks who think they're too smart or important to attend their copy machine training!
  

So there's my first round of idears for greenery. If you have any other nifty tips to add, please share!

*Edit: I found a great site that offers 10 tips for greening up at work.. there are a few repeats from my list, but with a bit more expansion! Enjoy!