Environmental awareness

All companies need to be aware of the environment when purchasing and disposing of office equipment. Here are a few simple ideas which could be implemented by your company or organisation today.

Energy Efficiency (Energy Saving Trust)

• Become more energy efficient by using intelligent mains panels which put your electrical equipment on stand-by when not in use, and fluorescent lighting as it uses less energy
• Use fluorescent lighting as it uses less energy
• Conserve workplace energy by high-efficiency heating/cooling systems, or turn down existing one’s.
• Turn down water heaters
• Try to use video conferencing to cut down on carbon emissions

If you are considering building new premises remember that Action Renewables gives money/grants to community and voluntary groups to build more efficient premises.

Recycling (Bryson Recycling)

• Start to recycle staff waste - for example, provide tri-recycling bins in every office
• Recycle printer's and ink-jet cartridges (Cartridge World)
• Recycle computers, mobile phones and paint
• Donate old tools to charity i.e. screw drivers, hamers, power tools and sewing equipment
• Cut down on paper usage by perfecting documents before printing, and sending information to clients via e-breifs and e-newsletters rather than paper publications
• Re-use envelopes with organisation labels/stickers
• Cut down on junk mail by having a mailing preference service (Tel: 020 7323 4226)
• Use re-chargeable batteries and recycle old one’s as the chemicals within can cause harmful bi-products when dumped in landfills

Procurement (Belfast City Council)

• Use less non-recyclable products .i.e. Plastic cups
• Buy in Bulk to reduce packaging and transportation, as well as industrial waste

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