| Your business does not have to be eco-oriented to be | | | | consider eliminating unnecessary items which would |
| eco-friendly. With the focus on creating greener | | | | end up in those bins. |
| homes, many are finding it easy to transfer methods | | | | Cut back on paper usage and only print when you |
| and ideas used in improving homes to the office. | | | | must and use double sided printing methods. Switch |
| Employees and employers are all eager to embrace | | | | from plastic bottles or Styrofoam cups to glass or |
| this new way of life in an effort to make the world a | | | | ceramic cups and plates. |
| better place to live. | | | | As far as lighting goes, invest in Compact Fluorescent |
| While there are many consultant firms that can | | | | lights or LED lights. These lights cut down on energy |
| provide excellent ideas on how to create a green | | | | consumption and last about 10 times as longer as |
| office, such services are not really needed unless your | | | | traditional lighting. While the initial cost of such lights will |
| office finds that it has certain specialized needs that | | | | be slightly higher, the lasting effect will be more then |
| require the attention of such firms. What is suggested | | | | worth it. |
| is that the office calls a meeting in order to brainstorm | | | | Just because you have longer lasting lights does not |
| ways and methods that can be adopted to create an | | | | mean you can leave them on when you are not in the |
| eco friendly space. This has two benefits: one being | | | | room. Turn off the lights when you leave a room and |
| the ability to have a well spring of ideas available and | | | | while you are at it, shut down computers, faxes, |
| the other to generate enthusiasm about initiating the | | | | printers, and other electronic devices. If you find that |
| new program. If the employees feel directly involved, | | | | your office is having a hard time adapting, then buy |
| then they are more likely to participate in the program. | | | | motion sensors which will turn lights on or off when |
| While the program initiated by each office will differ in | | | | needed. |
| order to cater to their unique needs, there are a few | | | | Going green can start even before you get to your |
| steps that are ideal for everyone. | | | | desk. The commute to work is turning costly as fuel |
| The first and most obvious solution is to recycle. Even | | | | prices rise. By taking public transportation or car |
| though the need for recycling is nothing new, it does | | | | pooling, workers can reduce cost and harmful |
| not mean that it is any less important. Businesses, | | | | emissions. |
| whether local or international use a lot of paper. Many | | | | Some easy ways to remodel the office in a green |
| buildings start with recycling initiatives and build from | | | | style can be switching to water purifiers to cut down |
| there. In an effort to get the community involved, your | | | | on using bottled water to installing sun roofs. Large |
| office may want to offer a recycling collection center | | | | open windows and sun roofs allow natural light in the |
| as well. While recycling is an option, your office should | | | | office reducing the need for artificial lights. |