“Green” Office Supplies

Ami Voeltz

Do It Green! Minnesota

Parts excerpted from Going Green: A Guide to Becoming An Environmentally Friendly Business Without Going Broke, www.tub.com

When buying office supplies, it is important to think about durability, energy, natural resource use, recycled content and recyclability, toxicity, biodegradability and packaging.

Make a list of all the major supplies your company buys and find ones made out of recycled materials. See the web sites below for companies that sell “green” office products.

Here are ideas for “green” office supplies in any area of business:

Buy products that are more durable, repairable and have a warranty.
Set up a reuse system, or use an existing system, that moves unwanted items from one department or business to another. (See: HOUSE & HOME: Building).
Buy rebuilt, remanufactured, or refurbished products for your office interior and machinery.
Buy durable, rather than disposable supplies such as:
- plates, silverware, coffee cups, glasses & silverware
- reusable coffee filters
- linens, courier bags
- rechargeable batteries or solar-run items

Office Products:

Buy erasable boards
Buy self-stick fax addressing labels
Use plain, not glossy, paper in fax machines
Use electronic software presentations
Buy solar-powered calculators and other devices
Buy refillable pens, pencils and tape dispensers
Reuse envelopes and bags
Buy high recycled content or post-consumer content and non-chlorine bleached tissue
Reuse file folders and binders
Buy refillable and/or remanufactured toner cartridges
Make double-sided copies
Buy non-chlorine bleached, high recycled content paper, or paper made from hemp, kenaf or other tree-free alternatives
Reuse paper printed on one side
Buy recycled computer disks
Buy energy efficient computers, photocopiers and other appliances
Rent, lease or contract for services instead of buying infrequently used equipment

Food Service:

Buy reusable cafeteria dishware
Reduce the use of single-use cups
Use beverage dispensers for juice, soft drinks, etc.
Purchase products in reusable, refillable or returnable containers
Purchase products in bulk
Purchase products with less packaging
Reduce the use of aerosol spray cans
Buy non-toxic cleaning supplies in recyclable or refillable containers
Install water-saving faucets
Buy energy efficient appliances

Read Up

Going Green: A Guide to Becoming an Environmentally-Friendly Business, 415-616-6800 or www.tub.com

EnvironMentors Advisor: Prevent Waste, Produce Profit, Contact North East Business Assoc. to receive a free copy: 800-657-3843 or 651-296-3417

Office Waste Reduction Kit & Source Reduction Manual & instructional video, Contact the MN Office of Environmental Assistance for a free copy: 612-789-4352 or 800-887-6300

Act Locally

Cartridge Care – Ink Cartridge Recyclers
Roseville, MN 612-331-7757

Minnesota Technical Asst. Program (MnTAP)
McNamara Alumni Center
200 Oak St., Suite 350
Minneapolis, MN 612-624-1300
www.mntap.umn.edu

MN WasteWise
30 E. 7th St.
Suite 1700
St. Paul, MN 651-292-4650
www.mnwastewise.org

Office Supplies

Green Tips

Host an Art Night

Looking for a new way to connect with your neighbors, get free life advice, and spark your creative juices? Consider hosting an art night at your house, complete with paints, modeling clay, colored pencils and art smocks. Get messy, be creative, and let the conversation flow. For inspiration and resources, check out this article.

Choose Safe Art Supplies

Arts and crafts materials can be hazardous to your health and the environment. Even though the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act of 1988 requires stringent labeling of hazardous materials in art supplies, many materials are out of compliance. This article offers tips to help you choose safe art supplies, plus substitutes to harmful substances.

Support a Local Business

Did you know that roughly 73 cents of every dollar spent at a local business stays within the community, compared to 43 cents for non-local chain stores? When you buy from local businesses, you help that business employ community workers, support other local businesses, and contribute to the community’s overall health. Read more here about the benefits of buying locally.

Buy Green Office Supplies

“Green” doesn’t necessarily mean “good” when it comes to so-called green office supplies. To help your office green up, consider durability, natural resource and energy use, recycled content and recyclability, toxicity, biodegradability and packaging before you purchase supplies. You can also set up a reuse system for the supplies you already have. For more tips on green office products, check out this article.

Think Twice About Bottled Water

If you live in an area with clean drinking water, fill a reusable bottle with tap water and bring it with you wherever you go to avoid buying bottled water. The U.S. sends 2 million tons of plastic water bottles to landfills each year—and producing those bottles requires oil and emits carbon dioxide. Some restaurants in the Twin Cities feel so strongly against bottled water that they refuse to sell it. Learn more.

Contact Your State Legislator

As a constituent, you are your local legislators’ highest priority. Why not share your views with them and ask them to support your position? It may seem like your letters and emails will get lost in a deep, dark political hole, but don’t despair. Whether you call, fax, email or visit in person, this article offers tips on how to effectively communicate with your elected officials and get them to listen.

Get Engaged!

Individuals’ actions are important in setting sound policy, so become an engaged citizen. Whether you call your legislator’s office, testify in a legislative hearing or attend a rally, you can make your voice heard. Still doubt that you can make a difference? This article addresses couple common concerns about whether civic engagement is worth it.

Take the Energy Challenge

The fastest, cheapest, easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is through energy efficiency and conservation. Plus, you’ll save yourself money in the process! Need a little boost to get started? Join the Minnesota Energy Challenge and learn from thousands of Minnesotans who have pledged to reduce their energy use—and are finding fun, creative ways to do it. Read more about the Challenge here.

Make an Action Plan

Wait. Scratch that. Don’t make your own list of simple things you can do today to make a positive difference for the climate—use ours! This list offers 20 easy things you can do that will help you and your family lighten your load on the environment, keep more money in your pocket, and inspire you to find even more ways to tread lightly on this earth.

Check Out This Template for Action

Scientists say a global warming “tipping point” in the Arctic seems to be happening before their eyes. Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is at its second lowest level in about 30 years. These news flashes are just some of our climate’s changes happening daily. You and your kids can help. Read more here, and then check out Climate Generations’s Take Action! Guide, which offers hands-on activities for grades 3-12.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

Here are ideas for “green” office supplies in any area of business:

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

Here are ideas for “green” office supplies in any area of business:

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