Small tips that can make a big difference

Make your office green with these easy steps

You may think your business is too small for a green project to be worthwhile. The truth is that small changes around any office can make a big difference. Here some tips to help your small business save some green:

1.       Install motion sensors in bathrooms and offices. The lights get left on far too often in the bathroom and offices. Motion sensors properly installed will keep lighting usage efficient and it will make sure the office lights are off when everyone is out to lunch.

2.       Use green cleaning products to reduce the amount of exposure to toxic cleaning products. Many of these products are also cheaper saving you some money.

3.       Make use of day light and light dimming. When the bright sun is shining dim the lights in the office not only will this save energy it will also make the bulbs last longer.

4.       Make the switch where possible to LED lights. They use much less energy and last for up to five times longer.

5.       Recycle your mercury containing light bulbs. About 20% of all the mercury released yearly into the environment is from mercury containing light bulbs. This mercury gets into our food and water supply and can have serious health effects on children and pregnant women.

6.       Use LED task lights instead of halogen task lights. LED task lights use 80% less energy and can last for 50,000 hours!

7.       Use a water cooler filtration system rather than the classic bottle system. This reduces the amount of transportation used to get the water to your office. Tap water filtered properly tastes great and is just as clean as bottled water.

8.       USE LESS PAPER! You do not have to print every email you get. Just make notes in a word document about important things to remeber.

9.       Recycle in your lunch room.

10.    Try to walk to lunch. You will be healthier and you will also reduce your carbon footprint.

Once you have taken these 10 steps there are many more advanced steps you can take to further reduce your impact on the environment.  Every small change can help.