Greening your office
All businesses, large and small can make an effort to reduce their environmental impact. You can start by greening your office through reusing, recycling, reducing waste and buying sustainably.
Here are some simple tips to get you started:
Reducing your waste
- Do not buy from manufacturers that use excess packaging.
- Use crockery and glass rather than disposable cups and cutlery.
- Use recycled paper in the office and request recycled paper in the printing of your marketing materials.
- Set computers to toner save mode and use double-sided printing to save paper.
Reusing office items
- Reuse envelopes by using address labels.
- Save plastic carrier bags and boxes in a central place for reuse.
- Reuse stationary such as folders, dividers, and plastic sleeves.
- Draft print-outs and internal documents can be reused as note paper.
Office recycling
For tips on how to get started, see our office recycling recycling section.
Buying recycled
Search for recycled products on our sustainable product directory. There is a comprehensive database of products ranging from stationary to furniture. You can find products for the office, cleaning and services such as recycling.
Energy consumption
You can reduce your energy consumption through the following energy saving measures:
- Switch off computers and monitors when not in use.
- Use low energy computer monitors with a low energy screen saver for when the computer is not in use for longer than five minutes throughout the day.
- Modern photocopiers have a save-energy mode.
- All electronic equipment including printers, photocopiers, lights, machinery and kitchen equipment should be switched off overnight.
- All windows and internal doors should be kept closed to maintain the temperature.
- Switch off air conditioning out of office hours.
