PAPER WASTE
 |
Whenever possible, use white
paper for legal pads, phone message pads, promotional material, etc., instead of colored
paper which is not as recyclable. |
|
Recycle your office paper. |
|
Use recycled-content paper for
your copier, letterhead, business cards, forms, etc. Have the "chasing arrows"
logo signifying recycled-content printed on the paper; your customers will notice and
appreciate it. |
|
Copy two-sided when possible. |
|
Reuse scrap paper. Use both sides
of paper for writing notes before recycling, or donate it to child care centers. |
|
Use half-page memo forms when
possible to reduce paper usage. |
|
Optimize print runs for
literature and letterhead to avoid outdated material. |
|
Have central files to reduce
duplication. |
|
Utilize electronic mail or route
slips for interoffice communication. |
|
Use erasable markerboards or
bulletin boards in communal areas for office communication. |
|
Share magazine subscriptions and
newspapers. Pass used magazines/newspapers on to schools, libraries, retirement homes. |
|
Buy a plain paper fax machine
instead of one that uses thermal fax paper which is not as recyclable. |
|
Use recycled paper for the fax
machine. Decrease the size of the cover sheets; use self-stick ones; or, use a rubber
stamp with message lines. |
|
Instead of throwing away broken
equipment, have it repaired, or sell or donate it to someone who can repair it or use it
for parts. |
FOODSERVICE
|
Use durable, permanent tableware
instead of disposables. |
|
Minimize the use of straws. |
|
Offer fountain beverages in
glasses, not disposable cups. |
|
Buy bulk food and condiments to
use in refillable containers instead of single serving packages. |
|
Before disposing of recyclable
plastic containers, remove lids to facilitate recycling. |
|
Recycle glass, aluminum and
cardboard that is used in food preparation. |
|
Use aluminum can vending machines
instead of paper or plastic cup dispensing machines. |
|
Locate a recycling container near
the machine to collect the aluminum cans. |
PACKAGING
|
Reuse paper, boxes, packaging
peanuts and bubble wrap to ship packages, or pass on such materials to shipping centers,
mailing centers, etc., after your usage. |
|
Redesign shipping containers to
be reusable, or to function as well with less material. |
|
Buy roll ends from local printers
or newspapers for use as packaging material. (They are the final few feet of a printer's
roll of paper which can't be used.) |
|
OFFICE SUPPLIES
|
Use staples and paper clips, not
self-stick notes or labels, which are less recyclable. |
|
Buy window envelopes without the
plastic insert. The plastic is not recyclable. |
|
Ask your suppliers to reduce
their packaging. |
|
Recycle cardboard boxes from
shipments, or arrange for your supplier to reuse them. |
|
Reuse folders and binders, or
donate them to schools. |
|
Recharge toner cartridges and
reload printer ribbons. |
|
Use rechargeable batteries in
beepers, flashlights, etc. |
|
Purchase refillable cartridge
pens and mechanical pencils instead of disposable ones. |
DURABLE GOODS
|
Use ceramic or plastic mugs for
employees' drinks instead of disposables. |
|
Purchase high quality, durable
equipment with good service contracts. |
|
Acquire a copier with a duplex
function that copies on both sides of the paper.Put a note in packages to encourage
customers to reuse packing material. |
BULK MAIL
|
Keep mailing lists updated to
reduce wasted mail. |
|
When possible, fold and staple
the paper instead of using an envelope. |
|
Have mailings printed on
recycled-content paper and note it with the "chasing arrows" logo. |
MISCELLANEOUS
|
Use cloth towel machines or air
dryers in bathrooms rather than disposable paper towels. If you are using paper towels,
buy recycled-content ones. Toilet tissue is also available with recycled-content paper. |
|
Replace regular light bulbs with
compact flourescent ones. They use one-quarter of the energy of regular bulbs and last
much longer, producing less waste. |
|
Install reflectors in the
flourescent bulb fixtures, which can give you the same amount of light with fewer bulbs.
They are available in commercial lighting stores. |
|
Use long-life, compact
flourescent bulbs in exit signs. |
|
Manufacture, distribute, and buy
products in returnable, recyclable and recycled-content packaging. |
|
For catered events use washable
utensils, tableware and napkins. |
|
Look for disposable items that
appear in large quantities in your trash. If possible, replace them with reusables or
recyclable materials. |
|
Donate used furnishings, carpet,
equipment, production overruns/irregulars or discontinued items to non-profit
organizations. |
|