Using certain products in the workplace can cut down your waste, energy use and thus your impact on the environment. An evaluation of the products used at work can also save some company money. Here’s how:
Buy energy-efficient light bulbs. Start using compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in screw-in fixtures instead of incandescent bulbs. These bulbs use a third of the amount of electricity of incandescent bulbs and last ten times as long. Using a CFL will save you money over its lifetime. It will use less electricity, give off less heat and produce fewer emissions.
Although CFLs had some problems when they were first available, the new CFLs do not hum, can be used almost any incandescent bulb fixture, and produces that warm incandescent-style glow.
When searching for lighting, look for the Energy Star symbol. Energy Star qualified lighting uses about 75 percent less energy than standard lighting and produces 75 percent less heat.
Use recycled paper goods. Buying recycled paper goods conserves trees, water, oil, energy and cuts down on emissions. According to the U.S. Department of Conservation, for each 20 cases of recycled paper used; 17 trees, 390 gallons of oil, 7000 gallons of water, and 4100 kilowatt-hours of energy are conserved. Using recycled paper also eliminates 60 pounds of air-polluting emissions and saves eight cubic feet of landfill space.
Look for the recycling symbol (three chasing arrows in a triangle shape) within a circle when buying paper goods. Don’t confuse this logo with the chasing arrows standing alone, which only indicates a product can be recycled after use. The arrows within the circle mean the product is made with recycled paper or “post-consumer content.” Try to buy the paper with the highest post-consumer content.
When buying paper products, avoid buying bright white paper. The chemicals used in bleaching this type of paper are extremely toxic and contribute significantly to water pollution.
Choose eco-friendly cleaning products. Cleaning products can be hazardous to your health and the environment. Try to buy eco-friendly products, avoid using chlorine-bleach and read the labels on all products. Shop around and determine the least toxic way to get the workplace clean.
When buying cleaning products, read the information labels carefully. Words such as “natural,” and “eco-safe” are not regulated by the government and don’t officially mean anything.
There are, however, some keywords in the fine print of products to note. Look for the words “poison,” “danger,” “warning” or “caution,” on the labels of products. These keywords are required by the federal government to warn consumers of hazardous chemicals. “Poison” or “danger” is of the highest concern and means that ingesting very small amounts of the product can be fatal. “Warning” means the product is moderately toxic. “Caution” denotes a product that is less toxic. Other warnings include “corrosive” products that can damage skin and mucous membranes and products with a label noting a “strong sensitizer,” which contain a chemical that can increase allergies. Additionally, when buying sponges and rags look to buy durable goods made out of natural materials.
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