Thu, May 23, 2019
By: Jim Beran
For many companies, it’s important to conduct their business in a way that’s environmentally responsible. It’s part of the reason that Gilmore Services’ document scanning and electronic storage options are popular. They allow organizations to keep their documentation for as long as necessary without printing items unnecessarily.
If going green is a priority for you in 2019, here are 6 simple steps you can take to achieve that goal – and reduce waste.
#1: Invest in Reusable Items
One very easy way to reduce waste in your office is to spend a little bit of money now on reusable items for you and your employees to share. Here are some examples:
- Glass or aluminum containers for drinking water
- Ceramic dishes
- Stainless steel utensils
- Reusable coffee filters
Not only will you save money paying for disposable supplies, you’ll be contributing to a healthier planet.
#2: Make Recycling a Priority
A lot of companies have recycling bins for paper but don’t bother recycling other items. If it’s been a while since you reviewed or revamped your recycling program, this is a good time to take a second look.
Creating a central recycling station for your office, with receptacles to recycle paper, cardboard, cans, plastic, and glass can greatly reduce your environmental impact. We suggest putting your recycling center in a break room or some area where employees frequently congregate. If you have a large office, you may want to create several recycling stations.
#3: Appoint a Sustainability Team
In the course of a busy day, it can be challenging to find ways to reduce waste. One way to make going green a priority is to create a task force to examine your business practices. Some of the things your team might look at include:
- Recycling
- Environmentally friendly office supplies
- Energy-efficient office equipment
You have choices about how you spend your money. Your task force can help you by identifying areas where you can do a better job of protecting the planet, both daily and in the long term.
#4: Lower (or Raise) Your Thermostat
Office temperatures are often a bone of contention. When one employee is comfortable, another is cold – or too hot. It can be nearly impossible to arrive at a temperature that makes everybody happy.
That doesn’t mean you can ignore the impact that your energy usage has on the planet. Raising your thermostat one degree in the summer or lowering it one degree in the winter can reduce your energy footprint.
#5: Create Monthly Green Challenges
Finally, you can get your entire staff involved in going green by creating a series of monthly green challenges for them to compete in. Here are some examples:
- Go an entire month without using plastic utensils or paper plates
- Try a month of "green meetings" where only reusable cups are allowed
By awarding small prizes to the winners, you can incentivize your employees to participate and do their part to save the planet.
Conclusion
Going green doesn’t have to be difficult. The key is to take an incremental approach, look for opportunities to reduce waste, and make mindful and impactful investments to achieve your green goals in 2019.
