Environment-friendly and energy-saving tips in the office

Recycling, waste reduction and energy conservation require a strength-in-numbers strategy in order to bring about effective change at your office or school. If more people are involved, positive changes in daily habits can be quickly seen. Organized, as well as individual, efforts can channel an enormous amount of garbage toward the recyclables market, can reduce the amount of wastes produced and can translate energy conservation efforts into savings.

· Recycle aluminum, glass, newspapers and valuable office paper. Also, some printer and copier ink cartridges can be reused.

· Use your own mug and eating utensils to minimize the use of plastics or disposable materials. Encourage your canteen to provide washable materials or eating utensils instead of disposables.

· Place a special box for recycled paper next to each printer and copy machine. Do not put non-paper items into the box.

· Reduce paper use. Photocopy documents on both sides of the paper. Circulate end rouse memos rather than produce copies for everybody. Post memos on common bulletin boards. Reuse used envelopes (especially for use within the office).

· Talk to the person who buys paper for your office or school. Urge him to purchase recycled paper for business cards, letterheads and for the use in the photocopier.

· Encourage the purchasing department to buy durable office equipment. If equipment breaks, repair it rather than replace it. Take advantage of service contracts.

· If an office equipment or furniture is to be disposed of, donate it to charity which will do the repair, reconditioning or recycling.

Recycling paper

Office products

· As a substitute for toxic glues, use paper clips, staples or string.

· Use traditional carbon paper actually made from paper rather than glossy paper made from film.

· Avoid glues and cements that contain solvents (for example, hobby glue, rubber cement). Use instead a stick-type glue or basic white glue.

· Use china markers (wax pencils), colored pencils or crayons, instead of solvent-based markers.

· Use correction tape that covers errors or lifts them off the paper without the use of solvents. If you use correction fluid, use the water-based type made for photocopies.

Energy conservation

Generating electricity usually involves burning fossil fuels which pollute the environment. Therefore, lowering electrical consumption through conservation measures minimizes pollution as well as saving money.

· Maintain a well-ventilated office or work space. Open windows and use electric fans where possible. However, during the hottest time of the day, keep windows and outer doors closed or shaded to prevent heat from entering.

· If an air-conditioner is used, start it at the lowest setting, then raise it after a few minutes. Immediately setting an air conditioner to the highest setting will not cool a room any faster.

· If you leave an air-conditioned room for a few hours, turn the air conditioner off.

· Keep the air-conditioner filter clean and replace it when it becomes too ragged. Maintain the machine so it will perform at peak efficiency, thus consuming less electricity.

· Keep indoor plants to cool the room.

· Switch off unnecessary lights. Ask yourself and others which lights are really necessary. Use sunlight for illumination as much as possible.

· Use flourescent (daylight) lamps, instead of incandescent bulbs. They last longer, produce more light and do not strain the eves.

· Keep bulbs and electrical fixtures clean so they can produce the maximum amount of light.

· Replace two low-wattage fixtures with one high-wattage-fixture. For example: A single 100-watt bulb gives off 20 percent more light than two 60-watt bulbs. Replace high-wattage bulbs with low wattage bulbs in places where bright light is not needed.

· Turn off all appliances or equipment before leaving the office. Close all windows and doors.

· Use the elevator only when climbing more than three floors; other wise use the stairs to improve your health.

Room

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Sources:

Ruth Caplan. Our Earth, Ourselves. Bantam Books, 1990.

Mynardo Macaraig. How.Green is Your Home? A Filipino Primer on Home Ecology. Earth Station, 1991.

The Recycler's Handbook. Earth Works Press, 1990.

Ideas for Action:

A Technology Information Kit November 23 - 28, 1992