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Operating as a green organization is a good way to improve your organization or small business’ bottom line, since the first thing many organizations do when starting their green journey is to reduce their excessive consumption of various products or activities, which results in cost savings. Reducing waste and doing more with less are prime examples of this mindset and must become a modus operandi, or in other words, part of the organization’s DNA.
Another financial benefit from instituting sustainable practices is improved revenues. When looking for ways to improve a product—by making it recyclable, for example—an organization is practicing innovation. This innovation may be a process, a product, or a service that’s delivered differently than before, but can also be a means to distinguish your organization from the competition and gain market share. Another opportunity arises out of making long-lasting products. Sometimes when a second-hand use for a product is identified, it literally gives you another product which you can market to generate additional revenues. A good example of this is the wood residue found in mills, which we now see being repurposed into the compost and gardening mulch sold in gardening stores.
“But I Run a Municipal or Non-profit Organization.”
Some elements influencing sustainable development are government-driven, and all levels of government, be they federal or municipal, have their say in how the game is played. Tax credits, loans, subsidies… these all influence project development. In this sense, governments can have a significant impact on how businesses operate.
As for non-profit organization, they have the potential to inspire business partners to undertake change. It’s common for non-profits to influence businesses through association. Some non-profit organizations which have grown over the last decade and are now managing huge operating budgets have many opportunities to incorporate green practices in their everyday activities.
Bottom line: All non-profits have volunteers, processes, activities, and budgets, and can make an impact on the environment by how they manage these resources, however small they may be.
This section will give you several tips to reduce your ecological footprint at work. If you own a business, involved in a non profit organization or simply are an employee and you want to make a difference, this is for you.
Due to the wab site size limitations, we could not put all our ideas on this page. You will find these tips and over 100 others in our book on this topic.
Organize a Tree Planting Day Once a Year
Once a year, organize a workplace tree planting day. Make it a fun day for the family and kids by bringing food or organizing games. This event will also be a good time to get to know the people you work with better. After all, you spend as much time with them as you do with loved ones. Contact your local municipal leaders and see if they’re willing to contribute by paying for the trees or giving you a place to plant them.
Envelopes
The obvious thing to do when you get bills or letters is to recycle used envelopes once opened, but you can also give these used envelopes a second life by using them as draft paper for to-do lists, grocery lists, or by keeping a stack close to the phone in case you need to note down a phone number. You can also encourage employees to use them for scratch paper at home. When folded, they’re the perfect size to put in your back pocket, plus they’re more rigid than common sheet paper so you can easily check things off without needing support.
Default Double-sided Printing
You’d be surprised to see how much paper printed on only one side ends up in the recyclable bin, or worse, in the garbage. When ready to dispose of such paper, put it in a pile and use it again on the other side for draft print jobs or simply use it as you would a notepad. Set all your printers and photocopiers to print on both sides by default.
Reusable Mugs vs. Cardboard
Thank God Styrofoam cups are disappearing from our landscape. The next step is to use ceramic or metal mugs. In the office, when people need to pay for coffee, have disposable cups removed and provide a financial incentive for people to bring their cups back. Life cycle analysis shows that over its average life of 3000 uses, a mug generates 30 times less solid waste and 60 times less air pollution than a foam or cardboard cup.
Automatic Checks Deposits
While direct deposit is widely implemented, there are still people and small enterprises that give out paper pay checks every week. Converting to electronic pay checks not only saves paper but also saves employees time (don't need to cash it), fuel, and money.
Smart Strips
Smart strips are a great way to reduce energy not in use. Most appliances use energy even when turned off. This can be to maintain an internal clock or simply to power that little light that tell you the device is turned off. In any case, we can all agree that this energy is wasted. Smart power strips are designed so that you plug in a main appliance and peripherals. Once the main appliance is off, all the power going to the peripherals is also shut down. Consider smart strips for your PC, stereo or TV system.
Trees and Shrubs on the Property
Making sure your workplace has plenty of trees surrounding the building helps keep the air surrounding the walls cooler by providing shade. This also contributes to keeping the air clean, something which is very important in urban areas.
Cleaning Products
Did you know that almost every stain commonly encountered can be removed with vinegar and/or baking soda? Both these products are cheaper than typical commercial products, so why buy 35 different products to do the same job? This tip may not apply to industrial processes, but for an office environment it surely applies. Use a cleaning contractor committed to clean and green products.
Green cleaning products are safer for workers since traditional products often contain large numbers of hazardous chemicals. These products release toxins that can affect health and productivity in your organization. Authenticity of green products can be verified on Green Seal’s website at: http://www.greenseal.org.
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