“Blog Action Day is an annual event held every October 15 that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance.” This year the issue is Climate Change.

We have put down some simple tips to make your office a little more greener and help with the global environment!

Reduce

1. Lighting: Switch of lights when leaving office. Use energy saving lighting over fluorescent lamps, neon lights etc.
2. Computers: Switch off computers when leaving office especially over weekends. Disable screen savers they often consume more energy than when the computer is being used.
3. Paper: Print only when necessary. Use old rags to clean instead of paper napkins.
4. Transport: Cycle or walk to office or nearby places whenever possible. If you travel a lot for business consider shifting to telephonic or web communications (e.g. skype etc.).
5. Gifting: Give out services as business gifts rather than giving out unnecessary products. Even better donate to an environmental cause and send them greeting cards (recycled paper!) informing of this choice. Maybe they will follow your example!
6. Consumerism: Don’t buy things when not really needed. Production causes a lot of pollution!

Reuse

1. Food containers: Carry a reusable lunch box instead of using a paper or plastic bag everyday.  Did you know a brown paper bag is harder to recycle than a plastic bag?
2. Paper: Keep aside any one-sided printed sheets. Tear them into small squares and keep them in a paper or pen holder. These can be used as to-do lists or as spare paper bits to write phone numbers and other impromptu stuff.
3. Water Bottles: Carry a bottle of water with you. Keep refilling this from a water cooler. Much better than buying bottled water or using a plastic glass everyday!

Recycle

1. E-waste: This includes any waste electronic items in your office eg: printer cartridges, cds, cassettes, computers, mobiles etc.
2. Recycling Bin: Have a recycling bin and send the recyclable waste to appropriate recycling centers.
3. Compost: Be adventurous, start a compost recycling in your office lunch area. It is easier than you think! (ref: Urban composting)

Some of the ideas are from Earth 911. Let us know of stuff you do to make your office greener!