The green movement can help save the environment and the earth. It can also help you save money for your business. Knowing where to substitute products will pay you back immediately and in the long run.
- PCW
The most popular way to go green and save money is to use post-consumer waste (PCW) products for paper, paper products and packaging. When you have to print, make sure that the paper that you use is eco-friendly. When shopping for paper, make sure that the product is PCW. The recycled sign is not a regulated sign, and the paper might not really be recycled. PCW labeling should say that the product is one hundred percent PCW. These products use forty five percent less energy and has half the waste of the regular paper making process. If you cannot find PCW products that are one hundred percent, use the ones with the highest amount of PCW that you can find. You should remember to recycle your paper scraps too.
- Products
Using biodegradable products and soaps can eliminate the harsh toxins and chemicals from touching your skin and from being released into the environment. Many options are comparable in price and quality and can be purchased from stores anywhere.
- Appliances
If you are putting new appliances in your home or office, or replacing outdated ones, you should use greener energy savings options. The easiest way to find these products is the look for the energy star label. Energy Star helps you calculate how much money and time you will be using during the lifetime of the appliance. They might be a little more expensive from some of the more popular brands, but you will save energy and money down the line. You will also help save the environment.
While you are updating or furnishing your home or office, it might be a good idea to get an energy audit. Some states will have experts come to your home or office for free to do the repairs free of charge. An energy audit lets you know where you can fix cracks or leaks and save on your heating or cooling bills.
- Alternative Energy
You can contact your utility company and tell them that you want to use green energy for your office. Green energy uses wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower and plant matter. This option is a little more expensive to use, but you will be helping to save the environment.
- Recycle
Ink and toner cartridges are made from fine plastic particles, carbon and toxic coloring agents. These substances are not biodegradable and if they are not exposed of correctly, they can harm the environment. According to this article from the InkStation blog, up to ninety seven percent of cartridges can be emptied and filled again to become new cartridges.
You can drop your cartridges off at a government agency or a recycle bin to have them recycled. Another popular option is to have them refilled when they are empty. You can find a company that will offer options of collecting and filling them or providing you with the tools to get them to the facility to get them refilled. This option can save you a lot of money in down the line.
The options listed can help you a great deal, but there are many more things that you can do to save energy and money. Using old or refurbished office furniture can be effective in both ways. You can use sources like craigslist, EBAY or even a resale shop to trade your items for new ones or purchase ones that have been salvaged. Using LCD lighting can help with energy consumption and you can use your lights longer without it causing the electric bills to go higher. Choose which options will help maintain your professional environment and meet your energy saving needs. You can find information online, at your local library or through your local government offices.