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Materials: Paper:
Conservation |
- Make double-sided copies whenever possible.
- Reuse envelopes and use two-way envelopes.
- Route or circulate memos, periodicals and reports, rather
than distributing individual copies.
- Use voice or electronic mail or post memos on a central
bulletin board.
- Make scratch pads from used paper.
- Use outdated letterhead for in-house memos.
- Eliminate unnecessary forms. Double-side forms or redesign
them to fit on a half sheet.
- Use narrow-ruled notebooks.
- Save documents on floppy disks instead of printing hard
copies.
- Use central files for hard copies.
- Print more words on each page (e.g., smaller font, narrow
margins).
- Proof documents on screen before printing.
- Print drafts on paper already printed on one side.
- Use same draft of report for corrections by several people.
- Accept final in-house documents with hand corrections.
- Seek methods to reduce production errors.
- Donate old magazines or journals to hospitals, clinics,
or libraries.
- Keep mailing lists current/one copy per address.
- Look for papers with 50 - 100 percent post-consumer waste
and non-chlorine bleached.
- Use e-mail instead of sending a memo to every employee,
or post announcements on a bulletin board or in a binder
kept in a well-trafficked area.
- Encourage employees to save e-mail documents on their
hard drives instead of printing them out, and provide technical
support so they know how to do so.
- Put company policies, technical manuals, employee directories,
job postings, and expense vouchers online, and save paper
and labor by eliminating the continual printing of updates.
- Make computer-generated reports and other documents available
on-line instead of printing them out.
- Store company records and financial reports on microfiche
optical disks or CD-ROMs instead of in paper form.
- Use plain-paper fax machines, which eliminate the need
to photocopy the unwieldy (and difficult to recycle) thermal-coated
paper used in older machines.
- Implement a “negative response” routing system for internal
documents. Documents are delivered with a notice asking
the recipient whether he or she wishes to continue receiving
them. Remaining on the distribution list requires a positive
response; failure to respond brings automatic removal.
- Set up a centralized filing system for documents; this
will free up filing space and cut down on the costs of cabinets
and folders.
- When printing out computer-generated documents, avoid
having a separate cover sheet generated with every copy.
- Set up a centralized reference library with a telephone
support center for materials like computer software manuals.
- Order subscriptions by department rather than individual.
Circulate each copy and establish a central location for
storage and future reference.
- Subscribe to on-line versions of newsletters and other
publications, when available.
- Determine the number of telephone directories you need
and reduce the number ordered. Directory distributors often
deliver many more copies than necessary.
- Forms generated directly from word processing templates
will eliminate the cost of purchasing preprinted forms that
go out of date. (Companies that supply business forms frequently
offer a computer design service, as well as electronic filing,
routing, and distribution.)
- Eliminate obsolete letterhead by using computer software
templates that can be changed at any time to incorporate
new titles and address changes.
- Cut down on catalogs and other direct mailings sent out
by your company. This will help reduce the environmental
pollutants contained in printing inks as well as potential
paper waste.
- Limit the number of catalogs sent to customers and consider
supplying an on-line version. For minor product information
changes, explore whether updates can be sent instead of
a full-sized new edition.
- Remove your name from duplicate or unwanted advertiser
mailing lists:
- Call, e-mail, or send a postcard to list-marketing companies
or to advertisers themselves. Have preprinted cards prepared,
distribute them to administrative assistants, secretaries,
and mailroom personnel, and keep a batch on hand.
- Alternatively, call the toll free numbers listed on mailings
and ask to be taken off the company’s list.
- Send notes along with applications, warranties, and subscription
forms asking that your business not be placed on other mailing
lists.
- Return mail addressed to employees who have left the company;
it can be rubberstamped RETURN TO SENDER; NO LONGER AT THIS
ADDRESS and returned to the post office.
- Establish an on-line registration service for training
and development classes and employee surveys.
- Inform meeting participants that waste prevention is a
priority, and let them know how they can contribute, such
as by bringing their own mugs instead of using paper cups.
- Use erasable boards instead of paper for posters and signs,
and use perpetual calendars that can be wiped clean and
reused year after year.
- Reuse file folders by turning them inside out; reuse hanging
file folders by inserting new labels into the plastic tabs.
- Let employees know that their paper reduction efforts
not only save paper, but also postage costs (from reduced
mail volume), and storage space requirements. All these
savings add to a leaner, more efficient office that benefits
everyone.
- Limit the use of stickie notes, which are usually colored
and hard to recycle.
- Ask your supplier to use post consumer recycled and/or
recyclable material in packaging. Your call along with others
will provide incentive for them to change.
- Post a chalkboard or wipe board for phone messages instead
of using paper.
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Waste Reduction Ideas for Meetings
and Conferences:
- Before you get started:
- Plan for a low-waste event; include waste reduction strategies
in all parts and phases of the event.
- Select a location that practices waste reduction, e.g.,
waste prevention, recycling, buying recycled, or one that
will work with you in achieving a “green meeting.”
- Make displays and decorations from used items and design
them so they can be reused. Exchange decorations with other
groups so they are “new.”
- Remind attendees to bring their own totes and have a few
on hand for those who forget.
- Do not release balloons into the environment as these
create litter and harm wildlife.
- Reduce the quantity of written material prepared. Do not
prestuff conference packets; let participants take the handouts
they think they will use.
- Plan for what you need and avoid excess copies.
- Print or copy both sides of pages.
- Use lighter weight paper.
- Remove duplicate names and out-of-date entries from mailing
lists.
- Post agendas or program information instead of handling
out individual copies.
- Use both sides of paper and poster board before recycling.
- Buy and use paper with at least 25% post consumer recycled
content.
- Collect paper used at the conference for recycling (white,
mixed, newspaper, and other).
- If nametags are needed, select ones that can be reused.
Collect the tags at the end of the event and use them again.
- Avoid paper contaminants such as: glossy/plastic coatings,
metallic links, plastic windows, bright colors including
goldenrod, adhesives.
- Exhibits
- Ask exhibitors to reduce paper and packaging.
- Use reusable, recycled and recyclable materials in exhibits.
- Print handouts on recycled and recyclable paper.
- Promote the use of reusable handouts.
- Recommend that participants pick up only what they need
from exhibitors.
- Encourage exhibitors to reduce giveaways or only to give
away items, which are long lasting, useful, and made with
recycled content.
- Provide collection boxes so people can return what they
do not want.
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Motivating Messages to Reduce
Waste
- Explain why it is important to stop wasting resources.
Where possible, present benefits in terms of cost savings,
resources saved, customer satisfaction, corporate and personal
responsibility towards future generations.
- Present information so it stands out: avoid being redundant
or boring.
- Use startling facts.
- Personalize information and relate it to what a person
already knows.
- Do not assume employees and managers are very familiar
with key waste reduction words or concepts.
- Avoid giving too much information at once; give information
in manageable pieces.
- Train new employees. Let them know they are expected to
use resources carefully and fully participate in waste reduction
programs. Explain how to prevent waste and recycle materials.
- Use all –employee gatherings to promote waste reduction.
Show what is being done well and what areas need improvement.
Incentives
- Graph progress and show people how they are doing by division,
floor, or other unit.
- Create a contest and award prizes or trophies (reused
of course).
- Financially reward employees for ideas that generate significant
cost savings and waste reduction.
- Offer discounts to employees who purchase coffee using
their own washable mug.
- Recognize employee’s waste reduction efforts in from of
others.
Click on this site to learn how to make double-sided documents!
http://www.nbcs.rutgers.edu/ccf/main/conserve.html
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White Paper Recycling
Place these items in the bin marked "White Paper Only":
Copy paper
Notebook paper
Computer Paper
Fax paper (not slick)
Mixed Paper Recycling
Mixed paper includes:
Any glossy paper
Colored paper
Brown paper bags
Magazines
Catalogs
Newspaper
Phone books
Hard-cover books
Plotter Paper
It does not include:
Labels
Thermal fax paper
Food contaminated paper (paper plates/cups)
Personal hygiene items (napkins or tissues)
Photographs
Office paper and supplies:
Empty binders and surplus office supplies can be reused. It
may take a few extra minutes to empty binders, recycle the
paper, and reuse the binders or send them to surplus, but
these practices reduce waste and consequently reduce costs.
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:::
02 November 2004 :::
Official Website Launch
Today is the official launch of the new
Enviro-Purchasing website. Please bear with us, as there are
sill a few loose ends. If you are experiencing any problems
or have comments regarding the website please contact kaubin@rutgers.edu.
Please include your browser version. We here at the SWPG welcome
you, and together can make EPP happen!
::: 02 November 2004 :::
EPA to Oversee Cleanup of Residential Properties in Depew
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has signed an agreement with NL Industries, Inc. to remove
lead contamination at the NL Industries/Depew Superfund site
in Depew, New York. The company will remove and dispose of lead-contaminated
soil from residential properties…(Click
to read more) |
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