It’s Easy Being Green

We can all do our part to help save our environment, and every little bit helps.  But going green doesn’t have to cost you green.  Here are some easy and cost-effective ways to make your office, regardless of size, a bit greener, and in some cases…your wallet a bit fatter.

• You can almost double the length of use of a toner cartridge in your copy machine by moving the exposure 2-3 notches lighter.  You won’t notice the difference in quality, but you will notice the savings to your wallet with fewer toner cartridge replacements.
  

• Did you know you can save up to 25% of ink or toner with the use of Ecofont?  Both your wallet and the environment will appreciate it.  Your office will purchase less ink or toner, and the reduced ink or toner on the paper makes the paper easier to recycle into new products. You work with your customary font and print using its ink-saving Eco variant with a single press of the button.  Click here to learn more …
  

• Do you recycle in your office?  This one may seem obvious, but take it one step further.  Mark your trash cans “Landfill” instead of “Trash.”  You, and your employees, may think twice about whether to throw something away as garbage or recycle when possible.
  

• With all the media coverage about compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), an even more energy-efficient light isn’t always reported on: Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs.  LEDs last up to 10 times longer than CFLs, and use 1/3 to 1/30 the energy of a CFL or incandescent bulb.  Click here to learn more …
  

• Your office is full of energy-using equipment - computers, printers, copiers, task lights, fans, and other devices - much of which is left on, unnecessarily, throughout the workday and, in some cases, for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 80% of the printers used in offices, 70% of copiers, and 20-30% of computer monitors and task lights are left on overnight. The result is wasted money and energy.  To reduce energy consumption, "smart" power strips are available that combine an occupancy sensor with a power strip and surge protection. These products sense the presence or absence of office workers and turn the attached equipment on and off accordingly, saving enough electricity to enable payback periods of less than two years in many cases.  Click here to learn more …
  

• Recycle your old office electronic equipment.  Sims Recycling Solutions in West Chicago offers the full complement of reuse and recycling options, including secure data erasure, unit and component recovery and resale and environmentally responsible shredding and separation.  Among other process equipment, two shredding systems operate to safely and completely reduce and separate electronics, monitors, and televisions into recyclable commodities.  Click here to learn more …

  • For consumer electronics, effective January 1st, 2010, IL Public Act 095-0959 (Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act) encourages Illinois residents to recycle their electronics directly with their original manufacturers.  Click here to learn more …
    

• The ideas listed above are just a small sampling of the different ways you can make a difference in your office (and home).  For more information visit the SCARCE (School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education) website (www.s-c-a-r-c-e.org).  They are located right here in DuPage County and offer a wealth of information , resources, and educational programs.