Green Practice

Are you wanting to green your enterprise, but are worried that you will have to change your whole way of doing business? Try implementing these five changes that will soon be habits.

1. Lights Bulbs – Schedule some time to change your light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs. By making this one change, you will reduce your energy usage without disrupting your everyday schedule. Tip: Make sure they are rated Energy Star.
2. Paper – If you must print, make sure you are using recycled paper. For unimportant printing, recycle any old items that you printed but no longer need. Just flip the paper over and insert it back in your printer. For important documents, use printer paper that is made from recycled paper. Tip: Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max all carry printer paper made from recycled paper.
3. Computer – Downsize your computer. The desktop computer with the huge monitor and tower uses so much energy. By switching to a laptop, you could use 70% less energy and now you are portable allowing you to work from anywhere. Tip: When purchasing a laptop, visit with the sales person to learn more efficient ways to run your computer.
4. Coffee – You need your coffee to get through the day. Purchase a refillable coffee mug instead of using Styrofoam cups. You will just need to remember your cup when heading out to your favorite coffee house. Tip: Most coffee houses sell refillable coffee mugs.
5. Supplies – Order your office supplies from green companies when possible. Most companies are also trying to do their part for the environment. Tip: Most companies post their green policies on their websites. If you do not see how they green, just ask your sales person.

Go ahead. You can do it. Be a green entrepreneur. Just by making these subtle changes, you will soon be doing your part in helping the environment

Many people are aware now more than ever of the importance of a green lifestyle. This extends to out homes our cars, and even at the office. If you are the person responsible for purchasing the office supplies at your place of work, and are wanting to make your supplies more earth friendly. There are a few things you can do to help this process along. It only takes a few small changes it make a big difference, in the health of the planet, so if you have already been given the go ahead to purchase green office supplies, here are a few tips to help you get started.

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A growing number of consumers are aware that electronic waste, or e-waste, is a dangerous substance which needs to be disposed of with care. E-waste includes things like computing equipment, televisions, cell phones, and other electronic equipment. Many consumers find it cheaper to buy new than to upgrade, and often find themselves getting rid of perfectly good equipment, while others are discarding truly broken or useless electronics.

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Saving power in 20 seconds is a simple step every computer owner can do. Simply activate the ENERGY STAR® saver on your PC.

Steps:

1. Click on My Computer
2. Click on Control Panel
3. Click on Power Management
4. Set monitor turn-off time (15 minutes recommended). This will shut your monitor off after the set time, saving 75 watts of electricity. To reactivate the monitor, move your mouse or hit any key. Your monitor will power back on.
5. Set system standby time (30 minutes recommended). This will put the rest of your system on standby after the set time, saving approximately 80 watts. To reactivate the system, move your mouse or hit any key. Your system will power back on after 15 to 30 seconds. Check to ensure that your computer will not lose network connection in standby mode. If you are unsure, only set the monitor turn off time.

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Many companies have taken steps to decrease paper use. The Boston Globe reduced the size of their newspaper, as many other publishers have done.

Several years ago, Bell Atlantic trimmed the size of their telephone books by fitting more information and less white space on each page. Bank of America slashed paper consumption by 25% in two years by carrying out a multi-faceted paper use reduction campaign.

At Besse Medical, printing are only done on recycled materials, reduced outgoing mail by 50% (and growing), offer electronic alternatives to invoices and statements, have their catalog online, and have transitioned our internal operations to paperless processes. This is just the beginning, through our green practice initiative we hope to reduce our carbon footprint more everyday.

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