Office

There are many waste saving opportunities in the office i.e. photocopying, printing, stationary, purchasing and energy

Photocopying

  • Photocopy double sided
  • Avoid mistakes. Do a single trial copy before doing a big batch
  • Use codes for the photocopiers in each office and if practicable recharge the costs.
  • Situate paper recycling box beside the photocopier
  • Recycle toner cartridges
  • Switch off copier overnight

Printing

  • Change the default margin sizes, drafts do not normally require wide margins such as letters
  • Check spelling and layout before printing
  • Only print when necessary
  • Always 'view' the document before printing to avoid mistakes
  • Switch the printer off at night
  • Recycle cartridges
  • Envelopes
  • Use specifically designed sticky labels, to re-use envelopes

Stationary

  • Buy corn starch pens which are totally biodegradable
  • Buy refillable recycled biros
  • Use pencils made from recycled materials
  • Use solvent free, water soluble refillable markers
  • Use refillable, solvent free, water based highlighters
  • Use paper clips rather than staples where feasible, and continually reuse them.

Calculators

Use solar power calculators or the calculator on the computer

Disks

  • Collect unused discs, erase them, put new labels on them and make them available for re-use

Photocopier

  • Does it have an energy star rating'
  • In use, how does its energy consumption compare with other makes
  • Is it equipped with a standby mode
  • How does the energy consumption of power saving modes compare with other makes
  • Can the time delay power-down be re programmed
  • Does it have an on/off switch
  • Does it have an ozone filter
  • Is the ink cartridge refillable or recyclable

Printer

  • Is it equipped with a standby mode
  • Does it have an on/off switch
  • In use, how does its energy consumption compare with other makes
  • Does it have an energy star ratingDoes it have a draft font optionDoes it have an ozone filter
  • Is the ink cartridge refillable or recyclable

Computers

  • Set the default on all computers to switch off the screen after a short time to save energy.

Lighting

  • Keep windows clean and free from obstructions

Comparative Electricity Consumption

Light Bulb Type High Efficiency
Fluorescent tube with electronic ballast and 26mm diameter tubes 13%
Old fluorescent fittings with 26mm diameter triphosphor tubes 16.5%
Old fluorescent fittings with 38mm diameter fluorescent tubes 18%
Compact fluorescent lamps 25%
Tungsten halogen lamps 70%
Incandescent lamps 100%
  Low Efficiecy

Central Heating
  • Set boiler thermostat and radiator thermostats


Incandescent lamps

  • Friends of the Earth Scotland: Greening the Office Online audit

Greening the Office online audit includes basic information on identifying environmental impacts and finding solutions for offices. www.green-office.org.uk