This is a guest post by Koby Wong, who writes reviews for online fax services. He is also an avid blogger . You can follow him @CW_KobyW.

Recycle Office Waste

A very simple way for an office to go green is to start recycling the waste in the office. This can be done by setting out separate containers for papers, plastics and metal or glass. Soda cans go into one container while papers go into another. Most cities have municipal services that will collect recycling waste and transport it to a materials reclamation facility. Recycling the trash in an office can help to reduce the environmental footprint that is generated through other activities. Recycling electronic waste like computers and mobile devices can allow companies to reuse the rare elements that were used to create certain electrical components.



Use Less Paper

Each sheet of paper that is used for printing, faxing or taking temporary notes has an impact on the environment. Reducing the amount of paper that is used in an office can actually be very easy. Documents can be transmitted electronically between employees instead of being printed. Some basic office software has built-in collaboration and versioning functionality that make printing revisions unnecessary. Online fax services can remove the need for toner and fax paper. Converting an entire office into a paperless environment can take time, but reducing paper use through online fax services and digital communication is very easy.

Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products 

All offices require cleaning at some point. The chemicals that are in industrial cleaning supplies can be harmful to the environment and can cause health problems if employees are exposed to the substances for extended periods of time. Natural and ecologically friendly cleaners are just as effective at cleaning and sterilizing an office when used properly. Additionally, people who might have negative reactions to the fragrances and other chemicals in harsh industrial cleaners will be able to breathe easier.

Turn Off Equipment When Not In Use

There are a variety of reasons why the policy in an office might be to leave the lights and computers turned on at the end of the day. Even when a piece of equipment is in power-saving mode, it is still drawing electricity from the outlet it is using. An easy way to save money in an office and to help the environment is to shut down computers and other equipment at the end of the day. Most equipment also has a setting that should be used to put the machine into a low-power state during the day so that energy is preserved when it is not in use. This can have the added benefit of extending the life of the equipment and reducing the money spent on repairs.














Adjust the Thermostat

During the summer and winter months it can be easy to keep the thermostat in an office at a constant temperature for the entire season. Most people will not complain about this since the temperature will always be comfortable in the office. A large amount of resources are consumed by heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems, however. The most environmentally friendly and economical way to handle a thermostat is to reduce the temperature overnight when the office is empty. During winter, the temperature can be lowered during peak work hours when body heat builds up in the office. An adjustment of just a few degrees can make a large difference.

Replace Disposable Kitchen Products

Many offices have a variety of disposable products available for employees in the cafeteria or lunchroom. These products can include disposable coffee cups, paper towels for cleaning and paper plates. An easy way to go green in the office is to remove these items and replace them with reusable items. Employees can bring in ceramic coffee cups or travel mugs. Cleaning rags can be made available instead of paper towels. Reusable silverware and plates can be kept in the kitchen instead of paper plates and plastic forks.