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Tips for a 'Green' Office

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(NewsUSA) - Companies in the U.S. inefficiently use 30 million trees and 12.5 percent of all domestic electricity annually, according to statistics from the Worldwatch Institute, an independent environmental research organization.

"A variety of new technologies, 'green' products and plenty of benchmarking studies can easily help shape today's workplace culture into one that focuses more on environmental stewardship beyond the ubiquitous blue recycling bin," said Mindy Billingsley, product business manager of environmental and sustainable initiatives for The HON Company, a leader in the design and manufacturing of sustainable office furniture. "You want to recycle, of course, but you also want to reduce waste, conserve energy and purchase smarter."

Here are some tips on how to go green in the office:

* Getting started: Billingsley recommends beginning your commitment to "going green" by writing an environmental vision statement.

"All players, from the CEO to part-time employees, need to understand and buy into the company's environmental mission and goals," she said.

Next, create an "environmental" team of employees who will head up internal education programs, tout environmental purchasing efforts and track the initiative's success in their respective departments.

* Reducing waste: Establish a companywide policy of photocopying on both sides of the paper.

E-mail reports instead of making printed copies. Try to move to a more electronic platform. It saves money and resources.

Set up recycling stations in the office not only for paper and printer accessories, but also for plastic and glass or even food compost.

* Purchasing green: Set specific criteria to follow when making buying decisions. For example, determine that paper purchases must contain at least 50 percent post-consumer recycled material or that products must be purchased from companies that institute good environmental initiatives at the manufacturing level.

HON, for instance, has taken steps to reduce the number of trees that must be cut down to create its furniture products. Rather than using newly harvested wood, the company uses post-consumer wood waste for many of its seating components. This process enables HON to save 5,000 acres of virgin forests and diverts nearly 10,000 tons of wood waste from landfills each year.

* Reaping the benefits: If your company is not doing as much good for the environment as it could, start mapping out a strategy. Greening your business can save money, boost productivity, earn respect and make a significant impact on the environment.