Back

Blog

Reduce Waste at Work

By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple

When you’re a working mama, you may have to dig through Matchbox cars in your purse to find the files you need. But once you get down to business, it’s good to know there are easy steps you can take to ensure that the way you work not only gets the job done, but also creates the least amount of waste possible. I’ve discovered that it’s easy to green your gig. Here’s how.

Print Less, Print Better
No printing is the best kind of printing -- it saves paper, which saves stress -- but if you must click “Print,” there are three ways to make it more planet-friendly. First, stock up on recycled paper. Next, print on both sides of the page. And finally, seek out printer inks made from eco-savvy materials like soy, which are a little easier on the earth.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refill
Whether you’re working at home or away in an office, always keep the fourth “R” in mind: Refilling is key. Instead of tossing empty printer cartridges and plastic pens in the trash, refill them! Check out TheGreenOffice.com for all the green gear your office needs.

Beat Vampire Energy Drain
Whether you’re low-tech or extra-high-tech, power-sucking gadgets are an inevitable part of office life. You can beat vampire energy drain -- also known as wasted energy -- and lower your electric bill by unplugging computers, printers and phone chargers whenever they’re not in use. Make it easy by plugging everything into one power strip and flicking the “Off” button at the end of the day.

Marisa Belger’s work has appeared in Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books, The Lazy Environmentalist and The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. She is the managing editor of and frequent contributor to Green Goes Simple.

To feature this article:

please select all code below (Ctrl. + A)
copy to your clipboard (Ctrl. + C) and
paste (Ctrl. + V) into your website

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.greengoessimple.com/partner/content/ecochicmommyftp/programsend/programunit.js?Page=partner/unbranded/ecochicmommyftp/archive/2011-05-23/blog/reduce_waste_in_the_office/index.html"></script>
	
	<h2>Blog</h2>
<h1>Reduce Waste at Work</h1>
	<p>By Marisa Belger  for <em><a href="http://www.greengoessimple.com">Green Goes Simple</a></em></p>
		<p>When you’re a working mama, you may have to dig through Matchbox cars in your purse to find the files you need. But once you get down to business, it’s good to know there are easy steps you can take to ensure that the way you work not only gets the job done, but also creates the least amount of waste possible. I’ve discovered that it’s easy to green your gig. Here’s how.</p>

<p><strong>Print Less, Print Better</strong><br />No printing is the best kind of printing -- it saves paper, which saves stress -- but if you must click “Print,” there are three ways to make it more planet-friendly. First, stock up on recycled paper. Next, print on both sides of the page. And finally, seek out printer inks made from eco-savvy materials like soy, which are a little easier on the earth.</p>

<p><strong>Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refill</strong><br />Whether you’re working at home or away in an office, always keep the fourth “R” in mind: Refilling is key. Instead of tossing empty printer cartridges and plastic pens in the trash, refill them! Check out <a href="http://www.thegreenoffice.com" target="_blank">TheGreenOffice.com</a> for all the green gear your office needs.</p>

<p><strong>Beat Vampire Energy Drain</strong><br />Whether you’re low-tech or extra-high-tech, power-sucking gadgets are an inevitable part of office life. You can beat <a href="http://www.greengoessimple.com/blog/vampire_energy_drain/index.html?target=vampire" target="_blank">vampire energy drain</a>  -- also known as wasted energy -- and lower your electric bill by unplugging computers, printers and phone chargers whenever they’re not in use. Make it easy by plugging everything into one power strip and flicking the “Off” button at the end of the day.</p>
				<p><em><strong>Marisa Belger</strong><em>’s work has appeared in</em> Travel + Leisure Family, Natural Health, Prevention <em>and TODAYShow.com, where she wrote a column about eco-friendly living. She was an editor at Lime.com and collaborated with author Josh Dorfman on his bestselling books,</em> The Lazy Environmentalist <em>and</em> The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget. She is the managing editor of and frequent contributor to <a href="http://www.greengoessimple.com">Green Goes Simple</a>.</em></em></p>
<script src="http://js.revsci.net/gateway/gw.js?csid=F09828&auto=t"></script>