Although maintaining a green home aids environmental conservation efforts, it isn’t enough. Corporations and small businesses alike must turn to green business policies and office waste recycling programs in addition to green technology before each can categorize itself as an environmentally friendly business.
Recycling Office Paper
Although electronic information is king, most businesses still facilitate their fair share of paperwork. When old records, policy manuals and office memos end up in the garbage rather than an office recycling bin, they contribute to the waste amassed in landfills across the country.
Paper is biodegradable, but recycling office paper as part of an office waste recycling program allows for additional paper products to be produced without the need to cut down trees and expend toxic chemicals into the environment via standard paper mill production.
Environmentally-conscious business owners should also consider purchasing recycled paper to accommodate their office’s needs. Recycled office paper meets the same technical standards as freshly produced paper products and is available in every quality grade.
Recycling Old Computers
Unlike paper, many computer components are not biodegradable and can take up space in landfills for hundreds of years or longer. Recycling old computers and computer parts serves to keep these items out of landfills and is one of many green business policies practiced by environmentally-conscious companies.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promotes green business practices by recommending that electronic equipment, including used computers, be donated rather than recycled. Recycling old computers still produces a small amount of waste material while donating any electronic business equipment that remains functional benefits both the environment and businesses. A company attempting to go green by donating used computers may be eligible for a tax deduction.
Office Waste Recycling Programs
Company recycling programs work best with the mandatory cooperation of all employees. Business owners and managers can facilitate cooperation in the following ways:
- Provide office paper recycling bins on each floor or in each major work area
- Provide receptacles for varying types of recyclable material
- Inform employees of how office recycling benefits the environment
- Provide periodic incentives and rewards for participating employees
- Encourage employees to recycle waste material at home as well as at work
Green Business Marketing and Advertising Benefits
Environmentally-conscious consumers want to purchase goods and services from businesses that share their concern for environmental conservation. Instilling and enforcing an office waste recycling program allows business owners to take advantage of green business marketing techniques to attract more customers and increase profits while reducing the amount of waste material the company expends.
Employees are encouraged to discuss green business policies and office recycling programs with managers and business owners. The benefits are numerous, and sometimes making business owners aware of the opportunities that exist when “going green” is enough to initiate major changes in how a company does business.
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Greywater Collection Systems Conserve Water and Save Money
Sources:
Conservatree: Recycled Paper
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Recycling Electronics
Candice Edwards - Candice Gillingwater is a credit specialist and consumer advocate currently living in Georgia. Her goal is to educate the public about ...
