Wasting Less in the Workplace

How to save your money and the planet in a small business environment

By nosman

As any small business owner can attest, every penny counts. From the phone bill to the type of paper clips used, the expenses a small business accrues can cramp the profits. However, in our increasingly eco-conscious world, it is important for small business to step up as leaders in the fight against global warming.

There are four basic things you can do to help be proactive about helping the environment and save money in the process:

1) Use recycled paper for printing.
2) Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
3) Place recycling bins in your office kitchen.
4) Install water filters in the kitchen sink(s).

Look for post-consumer recycled paper

Plenty of companies have joined the eco-friendly bandwagon, except that their products are not the most eco-friendly to begin with. Anything that is made pre-consumer means that it is leftover from scraps, whereas post-consumer means that someone used it before and it has been recycled into something new. Post-consumer recycled paper is not much more expensive than regular paper, but it helps deter deforestation and encourages employees about environmental awareness.
Try: Staples and Office Depot both have recycled paper products created by their companies, as well as plenty of other brands to choose from. Marcal is great for napkin and towels since it uses 100% recycled tissue paper products that “meet or exceed” the guidelines instated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Compact fluorescent bulbs are guaranteed to save you on your energy bill

The benefits of CFLs are extraordinary. Since they use less energy heating up the bulb and more energy providing light, they last much longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Plus, they lessen the strain put on electric power plants, the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions. They are, without a doubt, the simplest and most effective way to be green without overexerting your company's bankroll.
Try: Eco-lights.com has a lot of Energy Star options as well as other lights to choose from, from ceiling lights to desk lamps that will help reduce energy costs. Pristine Planet and Home Depot offer CFLs at a low price to suit all budgets.

Recycle bins help keep bottles and cans out of landfills

Plastic water bottles are one of the biggest generators of landfill waste. Instead, encourage employees to recycle their plastics and aluminum by setting up recycle areas in a common area, like the kitchen. Not only does it promote eco-friendliness, but it could also help profit. If you live in a state that pays for your recyclables, cash in once a month to reap profits that can be used on fun stuff, like an office party or a lunchtime treat. Improve employee morale and save the earth-what have you got to lose?
Try: If you live in California, go to www.bottlesandcans.com to figure out a recycling center near you. Learn more about how your recycling efforts are helping. Better yet, order a water cooler and some biodegradable cups so you drink healthier and decrease waste.

Stop wasting water with filters and leaks

The myth about water is that it is an endless resource. However, the truth is that only 3% of the world has drinkable, usable water (the rest is saltwater). Conserving water is not only an environmentally responsible thing to do, but it saves on the bills. A faucet leak can waste fifty gallons of water a day! Check leaks on faucets and toilets checked out regularly to make sure you aren't flushing your money down them. Add a water filter on the sink at work if you think that a water cooler will cost too much; it provides employee with good drinking water and saves plastic water bottles from ending up in landfills.
Try: Any water purifier will work, and you can buy them pretty much anywhere. Check your local listings for a good plumber who can check up on any other leaky areas in the office.