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You can help create an environmentally sound work environment with only a little time and effort by taking small steps, such as:
- Recycle. Despite the promise of the paperless office we use more paper than ever. Always throw used paper in the recycling bin, not the trash bin.
- Use both sides of the paper. Cut your paper use significantly by setting photocopiers and printers to print on both sides.
- Purchase paper products with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled materials. Look for the recycling logo that shows it's met US environmental standards and the EcoLogo, that shows it's met Canadian standards. Also, look for products which are sourced from sustainably managed forests, displaying symbols from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
- Receive faxes as emails. New web technology lets you convert faxes into email attachments.
- Use reusable cutlery, mugs and glasses in the staff kitchen.
- Bring your lunch to work to reduce container waste from take-out restaurants.
- Bring plants to work. They create a healthy atmosphere and increase oxygen flow.
- Use fluorescent lighting instead of incandescent. Only 8% of energy used by incandescent bulbs goes to providing light – the rest is used to create heat. Fluorescent bulbs burn cooler and are energy and cost-efficient.
- Turn the lights off. Workplace energy costs will go down and you'll save birds – studies have shown buildings that keep lights on all night harm and kill migratory birds.
- Set your computer monitor to power down automatically. A fully-lit, unused monitor is a waste of money and shortens its life span.
- Ask your property manager to install a programmable thermostat in your workspace.
- Unplug cellphone or other device chargers when they're not being used. The chargers continue to use power even when your device isn't attached.
*Tips courtesy of www.treehugger.com, Environment Canada's National Office of Pollution Prevention: www.ec.gc.ca/nopp, Health Canada's Environmental and Workplace Health: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/index_e.html and DavidSuzuki.org.
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