10 Ways to Go Green at Work

NEW: Download these tips in pdf format.

Greener homes are in the spotlight these days, but what about the other places where many of us spend huge chunks of our time--our offices? Some simple changes of habit can save energy and resources at work, and these small steps can be multiplied by persuading the powers-that-be at your workplace to adopt environmentally friendly (and often cost-effective) policies.

1. Be bright about light
Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.

> Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.

> Make it a policy to buy Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least two-thirds less energy than regular lighting, and install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.

2. Maximize computer efficiency
Computers in the business sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year.

> Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it's plugged into—when you leave for the day. Otherwise, you're still burning energy even if you're not burning the midnight oil. (Check with your IT department to make sure the computer doesn't need to be on to run backups or other maintenance.) During the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent. Remember, screen savers don't save energy.

> Make it a policy to invest in energy-saving computers, monitors, and printers and make sure that old equipment is properly recycled. Look for a recycler that has pledged not to export hazardous e-waste and to follow other safety guidelines. Old computers that still work, and are less than five years old, can be donated to organizations that will refurbish them and find them new homes. (You may even get a tax deduction.)

3. Print smarter
The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year.

> Make it a habit to print on both sides or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid color printing and print in draft mode whenever feasible.

> Make it a policy to buy chlorine-free paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Also consider switching to a lighter stock of paper or alternatives made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, or kenaf. Recycle toner and ink cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. According to Office Depot, each remanufactured toner cartridge "keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills...and conserves about a half gallon of oil."

4. Go paperless when possible

> Make it a habit to think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? When you receive unwanted catalogs, newsletters, magazines, or junk mail, request to be removed from the mailing list before you recycle the item.

> Make it a policy to post employee manuals and similar materials online, rather than distribute print copies. They're easier to update that way too.

5. Ramp up your recycling

> Make it a habit to recycle everything your company collects. Just about any kind of paper you would encounter in an office, including fax paper, envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. So can your old cell phone, PDA, or pager.

> Make it a policy to place recycling bins in accessible, high-traffic areas and provide clear information about what can and can not be recycled.

6. Close the loop

> Make it a policy to purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials.

7. Watch what (and how) you eat

> Make it a habit to bring your own mug and dishware for those meals you eat at the office.

> Make it a policy to provide reusable dishes, silverware, and glasses. Switch to Fair Trade and organic coffee and tea, and buy as much organic and local food as possible for parties and other events. Provide filtered drinking water to reduce bottled-water waste.

8. Rethink your travel

> Make it a habit to take the train, bus, or subway when feasible instead of a rental car when traveling on business. If you have to rent a car, some rental agencies now offer hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles.

> Make it a policy to invest in videoconferencing and other technological solutions that can reduce the amount of employee travel.

9. Reconsider your commute

> Make it a habit to carpool, bike, or take transit to work, and/or telecommute when possible. If you need to drive occasionally, consider joining a car-sharing service like Zipcar and Flexcar instead of owning your own wheels.

> Make it a policy to encourage telecommuting (a nice perk that's also good for the planet!) and make it easy for employees to take alternative modes of transportation by subsidizing commuter checks, offering bike parking, or organizing a carpool board.

10. Create a healthy office environment

> Make it a habit to use nontoxic cleaning products. Brighten up your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pollution.

> Make it a policy to buy furniture, carpeting, and paint that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and won't off-gas toxic chemicals.

Comments

[Debbie O'Meara]

Terrific ideas! There are so many little things we can do, and they add up.
Debbie
www.organic-food-and-drink.com

[Rona Sharp]

Great tips! Lets hope plenty of CEOs and other powerful people read them (as well as everyone else working in offices of course). In my home town you can see office lights blazing away in the dead of night still!

www.greenfootsteps.com - green living tips for health and wealth

[Stephanie]

Such great ideas! Should be emailed to every HR dept. & CEO/CFO in the US!

[James Chand]

Be visible in your conservation actions instead of being preachy. People notice the bicycle helmet on my desk, and the leftovers I bring for lunch in reuseable containers. Also, if you can't convince the boss to conserve on environmental grounds (mine is an end-times type fundamentalist), convince them to conserve on the grounds that it will save money. It works!

[Alice]

Thanks for the tips! However, you should note that promoting the use of cotton as an alternative paper is an environmentally disastrous idea. Cotton involves the use of large amounts of toxic pesticides and fertilizers, which leads to water pollution. It also generally involves large inputs of toxic bleaching agents. Unless folks are going for organic cotton, it's not a good choice.

[Jim G]

If old energy hog computer equipment is donated to non-profits, it will still be hogging electricity at it's new location, so perhaps recycling energy hog computers and appliances is best?

Regarding telecommuting, perhaps it's time to start office sharing - select the day(s) of the week or times that you come in to your office, find someone who has a different schedule, and share an office with one or more employees. Not only does the company pay less in rent, utilities, office equipment and furniture, (less computers, the list goes on,) there are less office buildings constructed if a lot of people did this, which cuts down on building materials consumed.

[JayDownSouthInDixie]

If you're going to bring your dishes, silverware and coffee mugs to work, remember that you still have to wash them. In figuring the green benefit, remember that you're using detergent, water, possibly hot tap water (some offices don't provide hot water at all) and paper towels to clean up after yourself. Cups and other eating goods made from recylcled paper and recycled plastic may be as cost effective and more hygenic in the long run.

[shannon]

The best list of simple things that I've seen from a large enviro group.
Go out and try to save one place from develepment/highways every year.
I could add a couple dozen more but who couldn't.
Keep it real and leave out the pseudo solutions.
thanks.

[mary]

How can I forward these "10 Green Tips while you Work" tips to friends and family? I don't see the "email a friend" link?

Thank you.

[Dave]

How about putting the old water cooler/heater on a timer? Have it shut off when people go home and come on an hour or so before people come in in the morning?

[Brian]

Great article. Would echo the "Watch what (and how) you eat" section by adding that eating plant based foods (such as tofu instead of chicken) can double your carbon cutting power.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-freston/vegetarian-is-the-new-pri_b_39014.html

[ken barnard]

Un plug pop machines during Christmas break, central vacation periods. For example I work at a university and students are not there Christmas, Spring Break, Summer yet all pop machines are plugged in 24 hours a day. Many of these machines are old and use more energy than later ones as well.

[Kayo]

I saw the comment about using tableware made of recycled goods, and here is a link to one company that makes wheat-based cutlery: http://www.earthwarebiodegradables.com/products-w.html

If you are going to use re-usable tableware, that is, regular dishes and wash them, think about the type of detergent and how much water you're using. If your work doesn't provide biodegradable or recyclable tableware, this maybe the better option. But then at least bring your own dishtowel for drying your dishes and wiping your hands. Think of how much paper towel you use in a day.

On a similar vein, use a handkerchief and stop using paper towels or hand dryers in the restroom.

It's great if you already practice many of these tips listed above. If you're interested in the next level, encourage your facilities management department to make the entire building green. It can become certified for LEED Certification by the US Green Building Council by achieving certain levels of energy and resources consumption, office supply buying behavior, etc. Individual employee behavior is crucial, but here's a great way to make an impact at a larger scale with guidelines that are already established so that it takes a lot of the guesswork out. More info on getting your building to become certified: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

[Maryanne Appel]

It is no surprise to me that no mention whatsoever is made concerning the need for meat-eaters to adopt a vegetarian (i.e., vegan) diet (i.e. lifestyle). An enormous amount of energy is used to raise animals for the sole purpose of titillating one's tastebuds. Totally unnecessary! And almost all of the environmental groups ignore this very important issue. Is it because most environmentalists are meat-eaters themselves? I suppose so!

[Catherine Rhodes]

Could I have permission to reprint this article in my magazine, Working World?

Thanks,
Catherine
Editor

[julie kreutzer]

Great tips! By the way, I find biking to work is a great way to arrive at work alert and ready to go. Also, riding home helps me with stress and as a good transition to home. Also, besides buying healthy snacks for parties, have'em available for every day since people are going to eat snacks anyway and they might as well be eating green (organic) and staying healthy.

[Claudia Lange]

The biggest thing CEO's can do for business is follow the model in Chicago and put a GREEN ROOF on their building. It is beautiful, cleans the air and reduces storm water waste by thousands of gallons.
I also appreciate the "go paperless" tip. I get a professional journal and just asked them to please send me only the e-mail version.

[Bill]

What about bicycle commuting?

Your list of commuting alternatives is good, but you forgot the most energy-efficient transportation mode there is. Sure, it won't work for everyone, but there are many situations in which it's an excellent alternative to any other form of commuting.

I'm no spring chicken -- pushing 60 -- and don't live and work in an especially cycle-friendly city, but my bicycle gets me to work 3-5 days a week year 'round. Helps keep me healthy, too.

[Laura Cloak]

Great ideas. As a college student, I am constantly staggered by the amount of paper and materials teachers and students use on a daily basis. Encouraging students and especially teachers/instructors to be environmentally conscious is important--especially seeing as this would also teach younger generations to carry forth the same ideals.

[Dmitrii Rassokhin]

Biking to work sounds great, but, unfortunately, in the bike-and-pedestrian-unfriendly US suburbia it's a sure way to get yourself killed (well, come to think about it, if this happens, that'll help the environment by decreasing the Earth's human population).

[Lorraine Stepchin]

I do what I can to go green, but this company "Idearc" couldn't care less... :\

[Kathleen]

Another option for getting to and from work is walking. I just moved last weekend close enough to my job so that I can walk to work. It is 30 mintues each way and is wonderful for my health and well being. An excellent book for alternatives to driving is, How To Live Well Without Owning A Car by Chris Balish. I am in the process of transitioning to living without owning a car. Kathleen

[David Babbitt]

Use incandescent lights in the winter, providing both both heat and light with the same device. Cost $.25 each on sale. With compact fluorescents that generate less heat, you otherwise have to use a space heater a tad bit longer to keep the temperature up where you want it.

[Hope Ashley]

Great list!!!! I agree agree a link to forward it onn to family and friends would be great

Regarding biking to work comment a great way to get killed. Lame excuse your more likely to have a car accident. Bike cautiously and use bike paths wherever possible

[Angie]

Good point about going veggie...you aren't an environmentalist if you eat meat.

[Katie]

To Alice: re: donating old computers - remember that these will generally be an upgrade for the non-profits and therefore will use less energy than their older models. We are the ones who can least afford to replace some equipment, though we don't turn over things nearly as fast (cutting down on manufacturing costs and materials), having to fix them and "make them work" as long as possible. We'd love it, however, if you donated us new stuff!

To Dmitri: re: biking in suburbia. Yes, it is often currently more dangerous than is desirable, so why not find out what you can do to advocate for better bicycle lanes and routes - talk to city council, for example, or joining a local advocacy group. Plus, biking when you can increases visibility to motorists and helps "fight the fight" that way.

[Nia]

Thank you for all of the great tips. Gets you thinking. I sent them to my co-workers and will be following them as closely as possible. Yes, going Veg is more effective than all of these tips put together in considering the damage to the environment by raising animals for slaughter/food (and not to mention preservation of health and alleviation of the starvation of others). Thanks for the info:)

[willhandsfield]

Not only is bicycling good for the environment, but it's great for you! As a fit individual, I still lost 10 lbs in the first month I started cycling to work. I have a friend who was overweight that lost 30 lbs in 4 months by cycling, and is in the best shape of his life.

Also, if you consider a car is one ton or more worth of steel, aluminum, rubber, electronics, plastic and other material, and a bike is 25 lbs worth of steel, aluminum and rubber, the net efficiency savings of riding a bike are even greater!

[Susan Wozniak]

Re: washing dishes, etc. If all you drink at work is coffee or tea, and, if you use your own cup, then, all you have to do is rinse the cup immediately after finishing your drink and wash it once a week.

[Valerie Paul]

I usually take the "Tupperware" etc home with me to add to the next dishwasher load

[Jennifer Hattam]

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Glad to hear so many people are trying to be green at work. Like James said, even if your company isn't very environmentally friendly, you can still set a good example for your coworkers with your own actions.

The list of tree-free alternatives definitely should have specified organic cotton--I'll amend that. Bike commuting was mentioned, and walking is great too if that works for you.

Sorry we don't have an "email a friend" link yet. You can always send your friends and family to this URL: http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/03/10_ways_to_go_g.html

[Anne]

Check out GreenDimes at http://www.greendimes.com. For around $3.00 per month GreenDimes will get rid of all your unsolicited junk mail and catalogues...and with the profits plant trees in Third World countries. It's a win-win situation.

[Margie Campaigne]

Project HOUSE (Household Opportunity to Upgrade and Save the Environment) is a survey designed to help households realize how much energy, water, and other resources they actually use. It also has many suggestions and resources for reducing our environmental footprint. It can be downloaded as a .doc file from http://www.environment.meetup.com/75/?gj=sj5

It cover one of the "7 Wedges" of how we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions - our personal and household habits.

[Virginia Ansbergs]

Yeah, vegetarian diet is the way to go! You can gradually drop the meat if cold turkey (no pun intended) is too fast for you. Years ago in my Yoga class my lively , alert, fit teacher in her 40's or 50's was vegetarian and introduced it to our class at a weekend workshop. I loved it. First dropped beef and pork, then all poultry, and then fish; and now I eat tofu, nuts, seeds, legumes, yogurt and whole grains, fruits and veggies. I am 64 and work 14 hour days stacking fire wood and digging and planting in a 2,000 square foot garden. I have more energy and mental alertness than in my 20's when I ate lots of meat and sugar and drank alchohol. Being vegetarian solves many health problems and is humane and healthy for every living thing on every continent. Try this wonderful way of living!

[Rick Barrett]

Going paperless works. Buying "PDF writing" software will pay for itself in a month through savings in paper and ink cartridges. Any document I receive and wish to keep, I fax it to myself, save it in a .pdf and file it in MSOutlook. My electronic files are a lot more organized than paper ever was.

[Julie]

To say someone who eats meat in not an environmentalist is unfair!
I was a vegetarian for many years and became very ill along with my sisters. Two of us have started buying local organic meat and wild salmon. I even went in on a local raised buffalo. We are feeling great, but the youngest will not eat meat and is extremely sick (even with proper supplements)and has to take a leave from work. Point: Not everyone has the right blood type or genetics for going vegetarian! I won't even get started on everything I've done to change my workplace...I try to live with more consciousness and compassion every day! I know the health of our planet should always come first. Without a balanced sustainable environment nothing else will really matter anymore. But the answers are not always in black and white!

[Paul Philips]

The best way to be green at work is to eat a vegetarian/vegan lunch just once a day. Eating a plant-based diet reduces greenhouse gas emissions more than driving a hyrid. http://earthsave.org/environment/

[Christy]

Great tips! We have incorporated most of them already but there is always room for improvement. Thanks!

[Brittany]

So much paper that is recycled by offices (which uses energy and resources) has a whole side that is still *clean*! In our office we have small desktop organizers located in key spots devoted to OSC (One-Side Clean) paper. That way, everyone has a central place to put and to take OSC paper when they need it for scrap or draft paper. This reduces overall paper use by maximizing the use of each piece.

[Jennifer Hattam]

Update: We've added a "Tell a Friend" link so you can all help spread the word!

Kathleen--I love Chris Balish's book too and highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in commuting alternatives. I interviewed him a few months ago and found his story about going car-free very inspiring:
http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/01/trendsetter.html

[Martino]

For bicycling to become a safe alternative for most of us, we need to rethink the idea that bicycles are in any way equivalent to cars. Traffic safety laws and bicycle clubs promote it, but it isn't right. Bicycles are subject to many hazards cars are not. Dogs, potholes, cracks, car doors, etc. can all have severe consequences for the cyclist. When a moving car and a bicycle interect, who ends up injured or dead? If bicycles are ever to become safe, cyclists need to be given full and complete right-of-way over automotive traffic on surface streets, and to be able to ride on whichever part or side of the road the cyclist feels safest. They need to be allowed on the shoulders of limited access freeways and interstates, where at least there is some space for a bicycle to ride. They need to have access to sidewalks as well, with pedestrian traffic retaining the right-of-way there however. Then maybe the automotive population (including me most of the time) will have the incentive to build road systems where bicycles can co-exist with cars.

[nicole]

I think the comments about going vegetarian are unnessesarily harsh. I tried to go vegetarian and ended up at the dotcor's office being diagnosed with hypoglyclemia after having my blood sugar drop so low I couldn't remember how to swipe a credit card for a sale. I agree that it costs a lot of time and resources to raise meat, and that it is often cruel. However, dismissing other people's contributions to the green movement because they need to eat some animal protein to stay healthy is just causing more dissenion than this planet can really afford right now. Don't we have enough to fight over already?

[LiveGreen]

This is an excellent article! I had tried various times to get some change at my own work...it became really easy once I found a few likeminded coworkers.

http://www.livegreensd.com/2007/02/recycling-at-work-its-easier-than-you.html

[Leah]

I understand BOTH sides of the debate over the concept that 'Being a true Enviromentalist means becoming a Vegetarian'...

Firstly,

It is very true that a meat-centered diet is NOT an ecologically-sound (or morally sound) way to eat.

Numerous reasons support that:

1. Producing factory farm-raised meat causes extreme waste and over-use of our natural resources including water, land, energy. Not to mention logging of the last remaining rainforests and old-growth ancient forests.

2. It causes air, land and water pollution.

3. It creates meat that is unhealthy and unsafe for humans. (toxicity, steroids, hormones, pathogens, saturated fat, cholesterol, mad cow disease, salmonella, pesticides, antibiotics, etc, etc)

4. It creates an institutionalized system of unnecessary cruelty and torture of sentient, feeling animals.

5. It feeds the world's mass ammounts of grains and crops to cattle rather then feeding it to the world's starving people.

Now on the OTHER hand,

I do understand people who say they tried to be Vegetarian but for health reasons etc they had to stop.
Being an anemic, and a hypoglycemic myself, I understand those concerns...
I was raised on meat and I have been hypoglycemic and anemic since birth (its hereditary I believe) but when I was 23 years old, I read The Food Revolution, by John Robbins, and it changed my life. I became Vegan instantly... I bought every book I could find on Vegan and Vegetarian nutrition and cooking....

Now here's the thing, being Vegetarian/Vegan is not simple and requires a DEEP understanding of alternate nutrition and alternate sources of protein and it requires a lot of discipline.

I learned how to get enough veggie-based protein so that I wouldnt get low blood sugar. It IS possible, people. Let me just say that Taco Bell has saved me on many occasions with their Bean burritos...

You have to find what works for you and you have to invest time, energy and thought, and preparation into it.

I always have a Balance Bar on me- always- just in case I need a shot of protein. You have to think ahead when you are a Veggie but especially if you are hypoglycemic.

Im not a Vegan anymore..over the years I've settled into being a Vegetarian who avoids dairy/milk/butter, who eats eggs occasionally and who eats fish maybe once or twice a month... it's not perfect but I know that my diet is leaving a much lighter and greener footprint on the world, as well as sparing the suffering of hundreds of innocent animals.

And I can live with that! :)

Even if everyone in America just cut out meat for ONE day a month, it would have a HUGE impact on the planet...

Give it a shot! Every little bit counts and it all adds up... plus, if you take baby steps, you may find out- it is way more do-able then you think! (And actually delicious and enjoyable!) I havent eaten meat now for 4 years and I never miss it! Now, my sugar cravings are another story... ;)

Feel free to email me, if you are trying to reduce the meat and/or dairy in your diets and you have questions or need suggestions on what to eat or what books to read... I would love to help out if I can!

Blessings,

Leah

[Emily]

I would love to see a printable one-page checklist to go along with this article - would save alot of paper and/or time formatting it to print nicely. Also, that might encourage people to bring it up at a staff meeting or otherwise ACTUALLY do these things!

Thanks~

[Bonnie Lane Webber]

A 15 minute animation video called the True Cost of Food is available from truecostoffood@aol.com.(Be sure to include your snail mail address.) Produced by the Sierra Club National Sustainable Consumption Committee it is an education tool discussing the environemental costs of the way agribusiness is raising our food. Encouraging people to eat local, organic and less meat with the meat they do eat being grass fed and/or pasture raised. It can be used to introduce a discussion of a variety on food issues.

[Laura]

I second using GreenDimes: http://www.greendimes.com.

They actually email you back if you have a question or suggestion. They have cut back our junk mail significantly. We are very thankful for that.

[Jennifer Hattam]

It's been great to see so much interest in these tips. They're now available in pdf format so you can better spread the word at your workplaces:

http://www.sierraclub.org/greenoffice/tips.pdf

Let us know how it goes!

[LeOgAhEr]

I Love you girls

Buy

[Devon St. Claire]

Devon St. Claire's new book is G R E E N--Memoir of THE HOUSE. Nothing was used in book production that would harm the earth, no chemicals, solvents, inks, and further, used only recycled paper. In addition, of course, THE HOUSE who tells ITS own history, believeably, is as environmentally-focused as anyone. The Inner Room, based in Portland, Oregon,
may be reached at devonstclaire@yahoo.com.
$9.99 is not $10. Join readers that love a good storyline by a literate author. Going Green, always.

[Susan]

Great list of tips here.

Another great idea is to plant a tree in a client's name in lieu of sending them a Christmas card or gift. You can let them know you've done it via email.

Lot's of great tips for living green can be found at: http://www.skiblacklivegreen.com

[Aaron]

I agree with the 'think before you print' concept. It is estimated that less than 10% of printed material is ever referred to again. Additionally, www.pdf995.com has a free .pdf printing driver that allows you to print directly as a .pdf file and thus save paper while still preserving the printout.

[Toni]

I realized I was being more green at home and wasn't pay close attention to 'what I was throwing away at the office'. I brought in utencils, cups, & plates to eliminate the use of the everyday throw away stuff like plastic utencils and paper plates. Our office building does not provide a recycling program so I have a bin in my office and every week I empty it and take it to my residence to have the items recycled.

I do these simple things because I care and it's the green thing to do.

[Jennifer Hattam]

That's great, Toni! Thanks for sharing your story.

[Jessica In Seattle]

It would be great if there was some info on disposable diapers, non-chlorine disposable diapers, cloth diapers and the new gDiaper.

I believe the average child uses approximately 5,000 diapers in their diapering years.

Disposable diapers are proposed to take 500 years to decompose (if they ever truly do at all).

Using cloth diapers has other negative impacts on the environment that are not commonly thought of such as the need to wash all that laundry, hence using the water, energy, detergent and bleach. If families use diaper services, there is the added pollutants from the delivery trucks and plastic bags to store the dirty diapers.

There is a new "hybrid" diaper from Australia on the market; the gDiaper. It uses a cloth outer covering (yes, it does need to be washed occasionally) and a flushable/compost-able insert. Check out http://www.gDiapers.com.

These gDiapers do not have an insert that requires laundering. And in my two month (so far) use of these diapers on my baby, I have never had leakage problems and my baby no longer has diaper rashes.

I feel great doing something right for the environment and my baby feels better without the irritants caused by both cloth and disposable diapers.

[Kusanagi]

One word: LIGHTS... the easiest way for every single person to directly reduce their consumption; by replacing every light bulb with an LED light bulb, they are the longest lasting and most efficient - simple! check out http://led.section9tech.com

[Coco Tardiff]

Hi,
I want to tell you about the new line of Pretty Earth Papers and their new website. They are environmentally conscious wrapping papers made from recycled existing print materials. They are reusable and more durable than normal wrapping papers, and they are beautiful decoupaged artisan designs. They eliminate the need to buy tubes of packaged commercialized wrapping papers. They support artists and the environment by finding unique ways to reduce waste during the holidays and all year long - when wrapping gifts can be so wasteful.

The papers are being sold at www.prettyearthpapers.com and at select eco-friendly shops in Los Angeles. The creator of Pretty Earth Papers is Coco Tardiff who can be contacted at: prettyearthpapers@yahoo.com.
Thank you!

[Brandy A. Stiltner]

This information is great. I hope that more offices and people in their own homes would follow the advice given. My business offers environmentally friendly products, but first you have to get past how you can own a business since my first priority is getting mothers to stay home with their kids.

[Green Living Tara]

Excellent list! I work from home so I do not have a commute! Thank goodness! And we do use non-toxic cleaning products in our home office!

[robert]

Great List!! Try WWW.GREENYOURRENTAL.COM for more tips. :)

[Puja Nayar]

I really enjoyed reading this article and got some awesome ideas to go green. Thanks for posting this article as it really helps people get more ideas on how they can help the environment.

Puja

[Josh]

Another idea to help go green is in your car's lights. I know it's not directly specific to this article, but by replacing standard filament bulbs in your vehicle with LED bulbs you are reducing the energy demand on your car by a significant amount.

When you decrease the demand for electrical power to power those bulbs, you use less gasoline which equates to less gasoline consumption :)

Not to mention, LED bulbs last alot longer than regular filament bulbs which reduces glass usage and waste, however small it may be

[Carol]

I was able to get all to agree to ban plastic water bottles at work (no small feat!) We only have service to recycle paper, so I also bring a recycling bin from home for other recyclables. I take it home once a week and put it with my recycling.

[Cajel]

Hypoglycemia is neither caused by nor worsened by being a Vegetarian. It is a temporary condition that results from eating too many sweets and not enough real food like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

[Cajel]

I tote home office scrap paper (junk faxes) to use the other side on my home printer.

[Margaret]

I don't remember reading this tip: Don't have that 2nd, 3rd or 4th baby! Overpopulation, and the growing middle class is a HUGE drain on our planet.

[CENTRALKUSTOM-RESTOREAMERICA]

I challenge you to take just one small step this week, to becoming  *A Better You*.  

IN, HOPE TO {ENCOURAGE} OUR KID'S WITH "RESTORING-EARTH" THE BEST OF SUCCESS IN LIFE IS LIVING GREEN LIKE THE *AMERICA-DREAM*.

[ME]

i love the earth

[bar stools, bar furniture]

very good i love it

[Jensi]

Unite the faces of your employees, partners, and customers by "growing a ripple"!

http://www.onebuckfortheplanet.org

It's actually a great way to add instant community and "greenness" to any brand. Cost, uhhhh US$1... no brainer.

:)

[Jensi]

Unite the faces of your employees, partners, and customers by "growing a ripple"!

http://www.onebuckfortheplanet.org

It's actually a great way to add instant community and "greenness" to any brand. Cost, uhhhh US$1... no brainer.

:)

[Grant]

#8
Ethos Fuel Reformulator

Ethos is a unique combination of high-quality, specially designed esters that uses only the elements of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Designed for use in all fossil fuels, it is an effective solution for the air pollution caused by internal combustion engines. Amazingly, everyone can personally benefit from this fantastic product because Ethos Fuel Reformulator significantly reduces fuel costs.
Environment
Reduces vehicle emissions by 30% or more. Moreover, Ethos is non-toxic, non-hazardous, free of carcinogens, and 99.99976% ash-less upon combustion.

Economy
When added to both the fuel tank and crank case, Ethos increases fuel economy by 7% to 19%, but the savings doesn't stop there. Reducing friction producing heat increases the longevity of your engine and this means less downtime and lower repair costs.

Performance
Dissolves gums and varnishes, lubricates upper cylinder components, and keeps the entire fuel system clean.

[Grant]

opps the link www.forearthonline.com/save

Here is how every Driver can do his part.

[Grant]

Here is some other Green tools to help our Planet and save you money.

Save up to 25% on your electric for your whole home, be protected from lightning also filters out noise on your electrical lines protecting your electronics UL listed/tested. Contact me I can send you all the info.

Wash your cloths with no detergents or hot water and kill 99.999% of bacteria . Using oxygen,silver and more . Go to http://ecoquestintl.com/clean
More Green products at the site

Organic Supplements Pro teams are using. The most Potent supplements on the Planet . View the Athletes testimonials

http://www.infinity2.com/clean

[andrew]

hello

[yo yo]

mojo

[pixiebird]

I'm trying to encourage the restaurant that I work for to go green. It's the biggest fine dining restaurant in the US- and they do NOTHING to help the enviroment! Any tips on free sites that give tips to major corps?