The move towards a more sustainable workplace means big things for the environment. From ethical recycling printer cartridgesfor the development of a more sustainable supply, the business has grown rapidly beyond the inefficiencies of a decade ago.
However, with many businesses still stuck with the old ways and most e-waste still going to landfill, we still have a long way to go before we have a perfect sustainable system.
To help you on your way to a more sustainable office space, we’ve listed ways your business can better adapt in its quest to be green.
Recycle
While most businesses understand the benefits of recycling, many don’t provide their staff with the tools they need to do it. As we mentioned earlier with printer cartridges, there are various available services for those who wish to ethically recycle their e-waste.
Having an area in your office where people can place items like these in preparation for recycling will make recycling much more feasible.
In addition, it is important to ensure that your office has at least one paper recycling bin. The office space is a busy place, and the harder you get employees to recycle their used paper, the more likely it is to end up in the trash. There should also be a recycling bin next to each printer/copier.
Reuse
For many of us, the process of throwing something away after it’s been used is ingrained in our habits. However, there are many instances where an item or object can be salvaged, thereby extending its functional life.
There are reuse schemes set up for everything from ink cartridges to stamps, so there’s bound to be someone who can take advantage of your expired or used product long after you’ve finished using it.
For a more direct approach to reuse, however, one idea is to have a communal stationary area for when people upgrade/replace their working items. Instead of throwing away your pens for the stationery set you gave for Christmas, you can put them in a “free use” drawer for everyone.
Not only does this reduce waste, it ensures that everyone has their most coveted item, a pen, when they need it most.
Reduce
This one has almost certainly taken hold in most office spaces because of the increase in paperless operations. However, given that printing is still an important part of the business landscape, it’s important to be smart. Before printing something, try to conclude whether it requires a physical copy.
If not, sending an email with the information attached will help you avoid unnecessary paper and ink expenditure.
Another great way to save paper is to post a method for double-sided copying/printing on top of your machine. That way, no one has a reason to print 10 pages when the job could very easily be done with 5. It may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but when it works, it works.
There is always more that can be done to improve the sustainability of your office space.
However, if you are reading this article, you have already started your journey towards green jobs. Make sure not to print it if you don’t have to. Good luck going green!
