Easy Ways to Green your Office

Posted by: Garrett K.

This article can be found at http://www.urbansolutionssf.org/green/simple_steps.html but we liked it so much we thought we would post it here as well.  These are great things to consider for your current office location or if you're searching for a new commercial real estate space.

Simple Steps to Green Your Business

There are many ways to green your business. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle and compost your waste. Reduce waste by purchasing products with less packaging

and using resources as efficiently as possible. Not sure what can be recycled and composted? Check out our

Blue and Green Bins List. Use the EcoFinder tool to find out where to recycle items such as appliances

and electronics.

2. Purchase goods that are made of recycled materials and that are reusable, compostable, or recyclable

whenever possible.

3. Use energy efficient light bulbs such as compact fluorescents. To find out more about lighting, visit Energy

Star – Lighting.

4. Make sure the lights, AC and heating, faucets and all other equipment are turned off when not in use. To help,

 install sensors and programmable thermostats, or post reminders such as “switch off” and “conserve water” by light

switches, printers and copiers, and other equipment.

5. Shop local, and shop green. Purchasing from local merchants, vendors, farms and manufacturers supports your local

economy while reducing environmental damage from long-distance transport. Buying sustainably-made supplies including

office supplies, building material, fabrics, and food products helps the environment and improves labor conditions for

the people involved in producing the items. Before buying a product, check if it is organic, locally-made, and if not

local then fair-trade certified. If you don’t know, ask!

6. Use organic, biodegradable cleaning products instead of toxic ones.

7. Purchase energy efficient appliances with Energy Star certifications. Get rebates for your energy-efficient appliances

 from PG&E.

8. Conserve water by:

    - Purchasing cost-effective low-flow toilets.

    - Placing a heavy object such as a brick into your toilet tank.

    - Installing inexpensive faucet aerators, or ordering a free one from the SFPUC.

    - Not leaving the water running while washing dishes.

9. Reduce unwanted mail by contacting the sender and removing your name. Find out more at the Bay Area Junk Mail Reduction Campaign and Green Dimes.

10. Serve water and give take-out materials only upon request, and use compostable take-out materials[PDF].

11. Print and copy double-sided whenever possible. Keep a stack of used paper for printing on the other side. View

a preview of documents before printing them to avoid re-printing.

12. Promote less-polluting modes of transportation. Encourage employees to bike, walk and take public transportation

to work through incentives and support, such as setting up bike racks in your office, offering Commuter Checks and

participating in Spare the Air and Bike to Work Day.

13. Perform regular maintenance on your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system.

14. Use latex- or water-based paints, finishes and varnishes rather than oil-based paints. Buy paints that have zero or

low VOC (volatile organic compounds).

15. Form a Green Team in your organization consisting of a few concerned individuals who will take the lead in initiating

environmental change.

Last updated: 09.09.2008 02:16 PM