Is your office eco-friendly? If not, it’s time to make some changes.
The world is becoming more eco-conscious every day and people are starting to take notice of the eco-friendliness (or lack thereof) in their work environments.
In this article, we will go over a few different eco-friendly supplies you can use when setting up your office so that your company can be an example for others to follow.
Use Recycled Paper Products
All paper that is recycled saves trees, which means a less negative impact on the environment, according to Teamconceptprinting.com.
Taking into account eco-friendly office supplies like recycled paper products makes a huge difference in how your company can be perceived by other companies and individuals who are eco-conscious.
Use Reusable Supplies
Instead of constantly buying new supplies for your business or using disposable items, look into reusable materials to use instead.
This will not only save you money but reduce waste as well! You should also consider eco-friendly cleaning methods so you avoid wasting energy when mopping floors, washing windows, etc.
Just because something has an eco-friendly purpose doesn’t mean it needs to have extreme consequences on your electricity bill.
Use Eco-Friendly Pens
A lot of people are picky about pens, but eco-friendly office supplies can be great for those who want something simple.
There’s more to eco-friendly pens than just buying recycled paper products, You also need to consider the ink when using printing products.
As a general rule of thumb, go with low-odor and/or soy-based inks because they help reduce air pollutants at home or work.
Some even come in recycled materials like cardboard boxes that can easily be recycled when your pen runs out of ink (and replaced with another eco-friendly model) instead of using plastic packaging which is not eco-friendly.
Be Eco-Conscious With Your Technology Usage
Eco-friendly office supplies can include eco-conscious technology as well.
If you’re using a computer, monitor, and printer at your place of business then there are eco-friendly options for all three that will help reduce negative impacts on the environment.
For instance, most computers nowadays come with an eco setting which reduces energy use when not in use (and some models even turn off completely).
There are also eco-friendly ink cartridges available for printers so they don’t leech harmful chemicals into the air while printing.
Most importantly, make sure to take advantage of recycled materials like cardboard boxes whenever possible. It’s rare to find packaging made entirely out of recycled material but it does exist and should be used more often by businesses.
Avoid Cleaning Supplies with Toxins
A lot of eco-friendly office supplies don’t mean much if you’re using cleaning products that are harmful to the environment.
When it comes to eco-friendliness, some things can seem contradictory.
For instance, a low/no odor cleaner might not be eco-friendly because many times those types of cleaners contain harsh chemicals which aren’t environmentally friendly and actually harm indoor air quality rather than help improve it.
Look up your cleaning product before purchasing or use an eco alternative like vinegar instead! Vinegar is affordable and has a multitude of ways it can be used as a natural household item from mopping floors to killing weeds in your garden.
Use Compostable Trash Bags
Along with eco-friendly office supplies, you should also consider eco-conscious waste disposal.
If your business is responsible for producing a lot of trash then using eco-friendly bags might be something to look into.
Some compostable options even break down within 24 hours and won’t leave behind any harmful particles in landfills like regular plastic can (since it takes hundreds of years for those types of plastics to decompose).
Using recycled paper products instead of styrofoam or other disposable materials is another way businesses can do their part as well.
Styrofoam has been known to go through the digestive tract when animals eat them which causes more harm than good (and no one wants that on their conscience).
Using Solar USB Chargers is a Great Idea
There are eco-friendly office supplies that can also help your business save money.
One great example is solar USB chargers for phones and laptops.
You’ll never have to worry about running out of battery power again with one of these eco-friendly gadgets.
Many models come in recycled materials like cardboard, but the best ones use eco-friendly components which means they don’t need any outside energy source (like batteries) to work either.
Keep this information in mind when shopping around for eco-friendly office supplies so you know what options are available depending on budget and preferences. You might be surprised by how many eco choices exist nowadays!
Try Using a Staple-Free Stapler
Another eco-friendly option for your office is a staple-free stapler which doesn’t require using staples that can get thrown away.
A lot of eco-friendly supplies are designed with the Earth in mind but don’t actually work any better than non-eco-options so it’s important to find what works best for you and your budget when choosing eco-conscious tech gadgets.
LED Light Bulbs Should Be Used Instead of Incandescent Bulbs
Using eco-friendly office supplies doesn’t have to be expensive.
In fact, some eco-minded tech gadgets can actually save your business money down the road as well as help reduce negative impacts on the environment.
For instance, LED light bulbs use a fraction of energy compared to incandescent ones so you’ll see an immediate reduction in electricity usage once they’re installed throughout your building.
They also last much longer than regular bulbs which means fewer trips to buy replacements and more savings at tax time too.
There are many eco businesses out there that care about what happens after their products reach customers’ homes or offices, but it’s up to consumers themselves to make sure those eco choices keep happening.
Use Recyclable Pencils
One eco-friendly office supply that is often overlooked in favor of recycled paper products or eco cleaning supplies is eco pencils.
These eco alternatives to traditional writing utensils don’t use any trees.
This is so they’re much more sustainable than regular ones which means you can keep making positive environmental choices every time you write something down on your pad of recycled paper.
Ready to Buy More Eco-Friendly Office Supplies?
As you can see, it’s not difficult to begin using eco-friendly office supplies for your company. To learn more about this subject, continue reading our blog for more helpful articles.
