Eco-friendly at the Office

Especially at work, we should all take the initiative to inquire about which choices are more environmentally responsible, especially because for many of us, this is where we spend a great deal of our time.

Between transportation, paper, faxes, pens, coffee cups, and furnishings - a tremendous amount of material is invested in a workspace. In keeping with our stance on sustainability, we should all learn to ask ourselves these questions regarding the things we use - whether it be our daily coffee cup or our SUV:

  1. Do I really need it?
  2. What is the product made of?
  3. How is it made/packaged?
  4. Can it be reused or recycled?
  5. Where will this ultimately end up?

Recognizing where something came from and where it is going is an integral part of taking responsibility for our daily impacts on the planet.


LINKS - Here are some informative and relevant links to more online resources pertaining to our workplace section.

Environmental Depot - Environmental Construction Outfitters
Providing environmental solutions for the workplace, including free tips and printable, pre-made memos & documents you can post up at work!
url: www.environproducts.com/officesolutions.html

Ecocycle

Tools for Promoting Recycling and Environmental Conservation in Your Workplace
url: www.ecocycle.org/tools/atwork/index.cfm

Universal Elements Company (UECO)

Recycled and natural gift items/advertising Items such as office supplies, handbags
url: www.ueco.ab.ca/index.htm

Greenhome

An online eco superstore that carries "environmentally superior" alternatives to everyday products
url: www.greenhome.com

Buygreen.com

An online guide to green products and services as well as tips on how you can set up a green procurement program.
url: www.buygreen.com/list.htm

Green Earth Office Supply

Selling a wide range of environmentally friendly office and school supply products.
url: www.webcom.com/geos/geos2.html


COMMON TERMS PERTAINING TO WORK PLACE ENVIRONMENT SECTION:

Hybrid / Green cars - Ultra low emission vehicles.

L.E.E.D. - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design: Green Building Rating System a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings that set the benchmark for ecological responsibility.

Refurbished furniture - Furniture that has been fixed/rebuilt using new/used materials.

Toilet tank fill diverters - Reduces the amount of water used when flushing a toilet.