Green-colored Glasses
As Earth Day approaches on April 22, people everywhere are looking for new ways to “go green.” So in the spirit of Earth Day, here are some fun, easy tips for “going green” in the workplace.
• Lunchtime
Do you bring your lunch to work? If so, ditch the paper sack and plastic bags. Instead, bring a reusable lunch bag with reusable sandwich containers. On that same note, bring your own silverware and coffee mug to further decrease waste.
• Stay Hydrated
Drinking water throughout the day is important for your health. However, day after day of disposable water bottles is harmful to the environment. Did you know plastic bottles take 700 years to even begin composting? Invest in a reusable water bottle, and if you can’t avoid disposable plastic bottles, you can still recycle them.
• Print with Purpose
Think twice before printing. The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year! But when you do need to print, use both front and back of paper. Then when you’re ready to dispose of the paper, remember to recycle – or better yet, place it in your EcoShredding secure container, and we’ll take care of the rest!
• Waste Not
Anytime you’re about to toss something into the trash, consider whether it can be recycled. These days, most items not contaminated by food CAN be recycled! Here are just a few: paper, envelopes, junk mail, cardboard, boxes, plastic bags, plastic bottles, frozen dinner plastic containers (after washed), batteries, light bulbs, cell phones. It’s a good idea to place recycling bins next to trashcans as a reminder.
• Simple Considerations
Sometimes just being mindful of power use can help reduce energy waste. If a room is not in use, turn off the light. In fact, use natural light whenever possible – it’s more flattering than fluorescent lights anyway. Remember to turn off your computer (and the power strip) when possible before leaving for the day.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be several steps closer to living greener at work this Earth Day!
And just a reminder to all readers: the tax deadline is coming up on April 18th.
