Reduce waste in the following ways:
- Replace single use paper car seat/floor cover protectors with reusable cloth covers from a laundry service or reusable plastic covers.
- Use refillable and pressurized spray cans (e.g., brake cleaners, lubricants, engine degreasers).
- Buy products in bulk (oil or antifreeze) or that are concentrated, durable, repairable, and/or recyclable, making sure that you need all you are ordering.
- Discourage the printing of emails.
- Set copier/printer defaults to double-sided.
- Use computer fax modems that allow faxing directly from computers without printing.
- Eliminate fax cover sheets by using "sticky" fax directory notes.
- Eliminate unnecessary forms, redesign forms to use less paper, or switch to electronic forms.
- Use a bulletin board or routing lists for memos and journals to reduce printed copies.
- Reduce all unwanted mailings:
- Eliminate duplicates by returning labels requesting all but one be removed.
- Reduce junk mail. Guidance and a PDF kit are at http://stopjunkmail.org Reduce catalogs at www.catalogchoice.org
- Eliminate duplicates in your own mailing lists.
- For new software, order only the number of manuals needed. Do the same with phone books. Encourage employees to share.
- Design marketing materials that require no envelope - simply fold and mail.
- Buy products in returnable or reusable containers.
- Work with vendors to minimize packaging.
- Eliminate the use of non-recyclable packaging, such as Styrofoam.
- In the lunch/break room, replace disposables with permanent items (e.g., mugs, dishes, utensils, towels/rags, coffee filters, etc.) and use refillable containers for sugar, salt & pepper, etc. to avoid individual condiment packets.
- Eliminate single-use plastic water bottles.
- Centralize purchasing to eliminate unnecessary purchases and ensure all waste reduction purchasing policies are followed.
- Use optical scanners, which give more details about inventory, for more precise ordering.
- Lease, rather than purchase, computers and printers.
Reuse materials in the following ways:
- Use reconditioned parts and components.
- Print on previously printed paper, or designate a tray on printers as a "draft" tray.
- Reuse office paper as scratch paper.
- Reuse envelopes by covering old addresses and postage, and affixing new.
- Reuse paper or plastic packaging materials.
- Designate a reuse area for office supplies such as binders, folders and staplers.
- Have your toner cartridges refilled for use.
Recycle the following materials:
- Cardboard
- Newspapers, office/mixed paper, junk mail
- Glass bottles and jars
- Metal cans
- Plastic bottles, jugs and jars
- Car seat cover and floor mats
- Empty aerosol cans
- Tires
- Metal drums
- Plastic buckets
- Scrap metal
- Pallets
Buy the following items with recycled content:
Purchasing products made from recycled materials conserves resources and is essential to support the recycling market.
- Copier/printer paper
- Folders or other paper products
- Envelopes
- Letterhead
- Business cards
- Paper towels
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Toilet seat covers
- Garbage bags
- Boxes or bags for retail use or shipping
- Retreaded tires
- Tire flaps
- Recycled or remanufactured laser and copier toner cartridges
- Carpet, carpet undercushion or floor mats
- Remodeling/construction materials: cabinets, fixtures, ceramic and ceiling tiles, drywall, insulation, interior paneling, composite lumber/wood, roofing, concrete, etc.