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8.08.2007

The Green Office: Instant Corporate Karma

We get it…you’re slaving away at your desk, day in and day out…you’ve got calls to return, emails to send out, spreadsheets to make (or whatever it is you people who work in offices do…it’s a little unclear to us). Anyway, with all that, who wants to take the time to think about being green when they’re at the office? But the truth is, there are lots of super-small things that you can do while at the office that can actually make a really big difference. Especially if some of these small changes end up affecting your co-workers and turn them into green-workers themselves.

TIP #1: TURN YOUR COMPUTER OFF!

A lot of people ask us what is the most energy efficient way to deal with a computer that is not in use. The answer? Turn it off, preferably unplug it, too. When you leave your office at night, you should always turn your monitor and computer off. The most common misperception is that it is “bad” for your computer to turn it off or that it takes “more” energy to turn it on than to just leave it on, but you heard it from us…that’s just not true.

TIP #2: HELP YOUR COMPUTER BE MORE EFFICIENT!

There are lots of times during the day where you’re not using your computer per se, but you don’t want to turn it off completely either (while on a phone call, etc.). Or maybe you can’t turn your computer off because of the server or something. In any case, do NOT let your computer just go to screensaver. Contrary to popular belief, this does not save ANY energy! Instead you have two options: 1) STANDBY MODE which still keeps opened files and applications, making it easy to return to your computer. This is best when you plan to leave your computer on for short periods of time; or 2) HIBERNATION MODE in which the computer is almost entirely turned off. It saves an image of what you're working on to a special file on the hard drive. This is best used when you plan to leave your computer on for a period of days or hours. For a step-by-step guide for how to do this on your computer, including how to change your default power settings so that your computer automatically goes to the option you want, click HERE.
TIP #3: CUT DOWN ON PAPER LOSS

We all know how much paper is wasted at offices. We print the wrong document, but don’t realize it until 500 pages later, we accidentally press 8,000 copies instead of 8, whatever. But we also know how important and essential trees are to combating global warming, so cutting down on paper loss is a MUST. Here’s a few ideas:
  • Recycle Paper. Most offices are already eco-friendly enough to have recycle bins in their copy rooms, so use them! If not, talk to your building managers about it (or office manager—whoever is in charge of it at your office).
  • Use both sides. Whether you’re printing or copying, try to use both sides of the paper if your machine allows.. Or, before you toss the used paper in the recycling bin, use the blank side as scratch paper to have at your desk.
  • Buy recycled paper. This really depends on your office and your sense of motivation, but there’s no harm talking to whoever buys the office supplies and seeing if the company thinks it’s worth it to fork over a few more cents for recycled paper. It’s instant corporate karma.
  • Do you need a hard copy? Before you print anything, ask yourself if you really need to print it? Can you bookmark it? Can you email it instead of faxing it? You get the idea. In this electronic day and age, this is easier than ever.
TIP #4: The Lunch Room—LOSE THE STYROFOAM!!
It wouldn’t be a post about offices without mentioning the ubiquitous lunch room/coffee room/water cooler area. Now we all know how bad Styrofoam is for the environment, yet that doesn’t stop offices from ordering it by the boatload for their coffee areas. Ick. Here’s what we suggest:
  • Real glasses. Instead of wasting 5 billion disposable cups a day, bring a mug for your coffee or a thermos if it’s not too yuppie for you. If you’re really motivated, be a trend-starter and make your entire office kitchen real mugs only.
  • Use the recycle bins for your cans, bottles, etc. If your office doesn’t have one, help them get it!
  • Whatever your office’s “water policy” is, try to upgrade it at least one. If your office provides little plastic water bottles, try to switch to a water cooler. If your office has a water cooler, try to switch to recyclable cups (or real glasses). If your office is already pretty green, try putting a filter on the tap water and using real glasses. Tres eco-friendly.
TIP #5: TALK TO YOUR OFFICE MANAGER

Here are a few things that may be hard to do yourself, but that you could help implement…
  • There are now printers, faxes, computers, scanners and more that all have the ENERGY STAR of approval. These appliances work just as well, but using less energy, so your office would save on electricity bills, too.
  • Take a look at the thermostat. Usually offices are freezing cold. Is it possible to adjust the thermostat a few degrees?
  • Take a look at a Green Energy option on the office electric bill—they offer it to offices, not just homes.
  • See if you (or other employees) can switch from a desktop to laptop. Laptops use more than 50% less energy than their counterparts.
So go ahead, you’re not that busy at work…take a few moments out of your obsessive Perez Hilton/TMZ/Defamer blog checking time (we know you’re doing it!), and help greenify your office today…

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