10 Tips to Go Green Around the Office Quickly

16 August 2011

Below is a list of ten easy to action practices your office can take around the office to become more sustainable now.

1) Implement a Recycle Bin System

Put in place a multiple recycle / waste bin system with one for paper, one for glass, one for plastic and one for food scraps. In particular, put a paper recycling bin next to everyone's desk and make sure it goes into the recycling system and not into general waste.

2) Green Power

Many Australian electricity retailers offer the option for customers to receive energy only from renewable sources such as solar, wind and geothermal. By making the switch, you save on emissions and drive demand for renewable energy.

3) Green Team

Esablish a 'Green Office' team or committee to implement ongoing environmental sustainability strategies for ongoing business practices; you'll be surprised who will come up with great ideas.Run a competition with a green prize for the winner.

4) BYO Mug When Purchasing Coffee

A lot of coffee shops that service large office buildings offer the option for you to bring your own mug - just think of how many plastic or paper cups you won't be using over the course of the year.

5) Discourage Plastic Cups and Bottles

And while you're at it, ban disposable plastic cups from the office and paper ones too where possible. Have enough crockery and glasses for staff and visitors.
Besides being expensive, bottled water has a huge environmental impact due to the amount of plastic needed to package it and the energy used to transport it around the world. Install an efficient, under-sink water filter system and give staff drinking glasses or permanent alloy water bottles (from any camping store) that can be used throughout the day.

6) Use dishwashers when stacked full

Filling the dishwasher up and using it on the economy cycle uses far less water and electricity than everyone washing up their own glasses and mugs as they go.

7) Read reports online

Use on-line (verses hard copy) versions of items such as annual reports and information memorndums. Cut and paste necessary information and/or print only those pages instead of the whole report.

8) Buy recycled or sustainably sourced paper

Buy paper that's recycled or comes for a Forest Stewardship Council accredited supplier (see www.fscaustralia.org for more information).

9) Reuse Station

Set aside a place in your stationery cupboard for used envelopes, bags, single-sided printed paper etc. so they can easily be re-used or recycled. eg singled-sided printed paper as a note pad.

10) Re-cartridge

Buy recycled ink and toner cartridges. Reconditioned or remanufactured printer, photocopier and fax machine ink/toner cartridges are available for many brands. If your brand of machine doesn't allow these sort of cartridges to be used (some don't) consider switching to one that does when you refresh your equipment. Also make sure you take spent cartridges to a certified recycling facility rather than just putting them in the bin.

Already implemented many of these actions or need a little help? Click here to trial the GreenBizCheck environmental assessment and see how your office rates.

By Holly McCarthy, GreenBizCheck



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