Greening your Office
5 Steps to Greening your Office:
1. Start with Paper
Paper can be up to 80% of all office waste and it is 100% recyclable
Prevent and minimize paper waste
Re-use paper by using both sides
Cut up waste paper for taking telephone messages instead of using sticky notepads
Use post-consumer and unbleached recycled paper products wherever possible
Check out companies that collect, shred and recycle office waste paper (see attached list)
2. Using office facilities wisely
Minimise printing, maximize email
Use doubled-sided photocopying wherever possible
Re-fill ink cartridges
Recycle used ink cartridges
Avoid hazardous products and materials
Archiving old files electronically
Recycle all your waste electrical and electronic equipment
3. Green purchasing
Buy recycled, recyclable and re-usable products as a matter of policy
Seek out suppliers of greener office products
Use recycling logo on letterheads & printed matter
Request recycled paper for printing purposes
Request details of environmental policies and take-back procedures from suppliers
Try to send back cardboard and polystyrene to computer suppliers (if they are not members of Repak they are obliged to take back packaging waste)
Request/ use phosphate-free detergents and non-corrosive/ non-toxic products from cleaning services
4. Other recycling services
Materials restricted from Dunmore include glass, aluminium, timber, steel, newsprint, magazines, cardboard.
Set up composter in canteen for food waste
Recycle glass bottles and aluminium cans
Avoid selling non-recyclable products (plastic bottles) in canteen
Check out www.irelandrecycling.ie for information about recycling services in your area
Why not set up a waste minimisation "club" with other offices in your building/ industrial estate and arrange joint contracts with waste recycling companies to reduce your costs
5. Steps to a greener office
Raising staff awareness - set up a green office committee
Support and backing for initiatives from senior management is essential
Promote greener transportation methods - e.g. walking and cycling, car-sharing
Turn off all PCs and lights at the end of the day
Turn down temperature settings for heating system
Promote environmental policies in dealing with public (e.g. leaflets at public counters etc.)
Provide sites for recycling facilities to public authorities
Think about using non-toxic and natural, recyclable materials in your buildings, products and service
