5 Ways to Go Green while on the Clock

Recycling programs and similar initiatives in the workplace are becoming more and more popular as we become more environmentally conscious. Keeping your business current with the best go-green practices promotes eco-friendliness, sustainability, and positive environmental awareness. Making the transition to a green company doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive—here are five simple initiatives you can try.

Recycling Bins

Placing recycling bins in the office for paper products can substantially reduce waste and is an easy way to promote waste consciousness at your enterprise. Giving each employee a recycling bin at his or her desk gives the employee the option to recycle office papers, post-it notes, memos, paper cups, and other materials instead of dumping it. Consider multiple recycling bins as well: one for plastics, one for cardboard, one for cans, etc.

Reusable Supplies

Encourage employees to bring their own reusable mugs or drinking containers from home, or provide them with reusable company cups. Instead of going through multiple cups at the water cooler or coffee machine every day, employees can refill their cups and avoid generating waste. Other waste reduction programs that are easy to initiate include switching to refillable pens, keeping tabs on the supply cabinet, and buying remanufactured ink and toner cartridges.

Digital Resources

Promoting electronic communication instead of paper can take a lot of pressure off of the environment by significantly reducing paper waste. Switch as many daily tasks as you can from paper to digital, including office memos, public service announcements, calendars, spreadsheets, documents, projects, and anything else that uses paper.

Saving Electricity

The easiest way to save energy in the workplace is to send messages encouraging employees to turn off their personal electronics while they aren’t at their desk. Unplugging computers, printers, radios, small fans, heaters, and other appliances can significantly decrease your building’s carbon footprint. Use natural light instead of electricity whenever possible, and switch regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs.

You can post small signs above light switches in conference rooms and shared rooms telling employees to turn lights off when they leave or install motion-sensor lights in often-unoccupied rooms, such as the restroom. If you want to go even bigger with your go-green initiatives, you can have solar panels installed on the building.

Partnering With a Waste Removal Company

You can make your responsible practices in the workplace easy and efficient with Waste Solutions 123 for larger projects. If you have a company event or other large-scale project, contact us to provide any size dumpster rental, as well as energy-efficient and eco-friendly waste removal, including portable toilets to save on water and plumbing costs.