Start Small, Aim Big at Work
Many of us spend a tremendous amount of time in our workplace and maximizing output, without compromising impact, is easier than you might think.
Start small, aim big. Simplify the office environment, and experience better focus.
Easy Wins
Powering down electronics overnight, choosing stationery made from recycled materials, switching to reusable items, and streamlining office waste are natural first steps.
Setting up rubbish receptacles in the office for composting (create your own worm farm), soft plastics, recyclables, containers for change (these funds can support a charity or treats for the office) all reduces the total volume headed to landfill.
Set up an environmentally conscious group to establish zero waste procedures and educate and encourage the team.
If your office is still stocking single-use plastic bottles of water, consider alternatives like a water cooler, a filtration system or a water filter.
This can open the door to marketing merchandise like branded reusable cups or water bottles.
While we are addressing water, for faucets and shower heads, install a water flow restricting device.
This reduces the volume used per minute, saving resources and reducing power bills when hot water is used.
Energy Efficient Lighting
If a renovation is on the cards, strongly consider making this a priority. A quality LED produces the most light, with the least electricity.
With an existing set-up, as bulbs need to be replaced, choose an energy efficient replacement. LEDs are currently the best, efficient bulbs on the market.
Motion sensors, in less used parts of the workplace, can make a real difference to energy usage and power bills.
Ink Cartridges
Planet Ark provides an easy, environmentally accredited way to recycle ink cartridges. These are not recyclable normally because of their mixed material. Their program delivers a zero waste to landfill promise. We love the sound of that.
If you use more than three ink jet cartridges, toner cartridges or toner bottles in one month, you may be eligible for a Cartridges 4 Planet Ark collection box.
Other collection points include participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Officeworks, JB Hi-Fi and Cartridge World outlets. Visit PlanetArk.org for more information.
Locally, we have a Cartridge World with branded ink cartridges that are 100 per cent recyclable.
We would love to see you at facebook.com/zerowastewhitsundays
