| Although many people are going to great lengths to | | | | messages to everyone rather than using large |
| conserve energy and recycle their trash at home, the | | | | amounts of paper for memos. Chances are there is a |
| same people are not always as "green-conscious" in | | | | way that is not only energy saving but time and |
| the workplace. Businesses are one of the biggest | | | | money saving as well. |
| sources of trash, and energy waste. It can be difficult | | | | Take Advantage Of New Technology Using email is |
| to follow conservation practices at work when things | | | | another more energy-efficient way to communicate |
| are already hectic and there is little time left over for | | | | with coworkers over sending memos. Companies |
| taking care of the planet. Yet it is more important than | | | | could save thousands of dollars and hundreds of trees |
| ever to maintain our "green" methods wherever we | | | | each year by using email instead of paper for |
| are; at work, at home, on vacation, or simply a night | | | | correspondence. Also, read the email online before |
| out with the family. This article discusses five ways to | | | | decided if it needs to be printed out. Avoid simply auto |
| reduce the amount of trash you create the office. | | | | printing correspondence and use cut and paste with a |
| Once you finish reading the article, pass on the ideas | | | | word processing program (or Google Docs) to only |
| stated within to your boss and coworkers. | | | | print out the necessary information from the email. |
| Use, Then Reuse, Paper When copying and printing, | | | | Another good way to use technology to conserve |
| use both sides of the paper. Remember: Reduce, | | | | paper is to use a fax-modem, which allows faxes to |
| Reuse, And Recycle. Once the document on one side | | | | be sent directly to a computer without printing out a |
| of the sheet is read and has no further use, stack it in | | | | paper copy. If you do send faxes through a regular |
| a box for reuse in the printer or copier. In a small office, | | | | fax machine, only send a cover page if it is absolutely |
| one box near the printer and or copier may be enough | | | | necessary. Use Office Products Made From Recycled |
| but for larger companies each person may need a | | | | Materials Use recycled paper and other office supplies |
| tray to store used paper ready for reuse. Not only will | | | | that are made from recycled materials. Staples, Office |
| using both sides of the paper reduce the amount of | | | | Max and other large office supply companies sell such |
| waste the office produces, it will also save the | | | | items but you can also search online for a wider |
| company money. | | | | variety. |
| Envelopes and folders can be reused as scrap paper. | | | | On the other end of the recycling process, you should |
| Instead of expensive and wasteful post-its and memo | | | | set up bins around the office and in the employee |
| pads, jot down notes on used envelopes and file | | | | lounge for paper, plastic and metal items. Setting up a |
| folders. Although this may seem more disorganized | | | | recycling program may take a little work but the |
| and cluttered, think of all the good it does for the | | | | benefits far aweigh the inconvenience. |
| environment. Less trees used for paper, less paper | | | | Avoid Using Disposable Products Whenever Possible |
| waste, less energy used to recycle barely used paper. | | | | Disposable products add to the ever-growing landfill |
| Isn't it worth a little more inconvenience? | | | | problem in this country and are often completely |
| Set Up A Central Memo Location By setting up a | | | | unnecessary. Disposable paper cups can be replaced |
| bulletin board area for office notices, you will eliminate | | | | with ceramic mugs. Certain printer cartridges can be |
| the need to send an individual copy of each memo to | | | | refilled. Packing materials can be used and reused |
| every person in the office. The Memo Location should | | | | over again. Small companies that use the regular |
| be set up in a place, like the employee lounge, where | | | | coffee machines can purchase reusable filters instead |
| everyone is likely to go during the day. Dry Erase | | | | of the disposable paper ones. |
| boards can also be useful if your company is not too | | | | Look around the place where you work. I'm sure you |
| large, but there is always the risk that a message gets | | | | will find small changes that can add up to big |
| erased or smudged before it can be read. Take some | | | | differences to the environment. |
| time to compare alternative methods for getting | | | | |