Chris Rodinis
February 8th, 2013
http://blog.eonetwork.org/2013/02/how-to-make-your-office-much-much-greener/
What exactly is a “green” office? Yes, this could mean more indoor
plants….lots of plants…can you say indoor marijuana?…..just kidding… that is not the “green” we are talking about. We are talking about a zero-waste future.
Yes, zero waste is possible. This has been proven. You CAN try this at home! You can DO this at your office, no matter how big or small your office. If Dupont, Ford, Walmart and GM can do it, we all can do it.
WHY you may ask? So our life here on earth is SUSTAINABLE, that’s why!
For more on that you can check here.
For example, the latest stats from the EPA directly speak to the issue of sustainability. Because you and me, and him over there and her over here, in every city in every office “generate” TWO POUNDS of paper each day.
Do the math and the result is a number big enough to show a change in behavior might be necessary. Paper is only one detail in this effort. In fact, one may note that in the sustainability effort everything is on the table and its all about the details.
Here are the details about the paper…see what is in your trash: old paper, receipts, old marketing materials, reports from sales and projects, copy wastage, junk mail, et cetera.
Better than recycling, eliminate trash all together. That is the way Jay Coalson from Zero Waste Alliance sees it. He touts take trash control to next level.
“I believe in no waste,” says Coalson, “Some might think it’s impossible and frankly, it is an audacious goal. But so is starting a small business and running it through a recession. Entrepreneurs are already audacious; why not use this mindset to get rid of waste and enhance your community in the process?”
Start With an Audit
So you are a busy business owner and you have more important things to do than digging through your trash to find out all that is there.
That’s OK because there is a solution out there. Business owners need to be aware that there are government agencies, non- profit organizations, universities, and waste management companies that will at no charge: audit, analyze and compile reports about all waste streams that flow in your business.
From the information garnered, the waste auditor will make recommendations on what changes to make or corrective action to take.
Listen to Your Garbage Streams
As you dig deeper into your waste report and begin new ways, you can then track or measure your results.
More than quantifying your recyclable and landfill garbage, what drives “zero waste” is discovering why and where garbage is generated.
According to the Zero Waste Alliance, your trash is what is inefficient about your business. Office trash is considered to be a component of “wasting money.”
Decide What Has To Go
Once you see the breakdown of office trash, you should communicate with all employees about your garbage study and share the goal of zero waste. Your employees can contribute with ideas on reuse and recycling.
The Zero Waste Alliance also urges people to think of the bigger picture behind waste; stating, “If you’re wasting paper, you’re also wasting the time and money that goes into the creation of those materials. Waste begets waste.”
Measuring Zero Waste Performance
Once you have goals for zero waste, they could be reached in small increments on a weekly or monthly basis. For example, each an office might try to cut garbage in the bin by 10% each week and seek an increase in recycling by 20% per week.
One method would be to look at each piece of waste and then brainstorm ideas that have alternative outcomes. Any alternative is better than the dumpster.
Tell Others About Your Progress
The first time I heard the word “zero waste,” I thought that it was the best business buzzword ever. It sounds so Utopian and similar to the proverbial “big hairy audacious goal.” It sounds tranquil and full of harmony. It definitely sounds sustainable.
When you tell others about your zero waste progress in a concrete way that they can understand, then you may discover that a stronger bond with your customers has been created. Also, your suppliers, vendors and employees will feel empowered by it.
Why? Progress in zero waste “demonstrates a culture of efficiency that can attract business.” Plus how can anyone argue with the concept of zero waste? Who wants more crap around anyway?
For more information about green office recycling or electronic waste recycling please visit: