Earth Day is a day to celebrate our planet and to be conscious about caring for the environment.
Unfortunately, we don’t always treat our planet with respect. All you have to do is a quick Internet search to see how our poor habits negatively affect the planet (some examples here, here & here).
Not only is pollution unsightly, but it is also damaging to the environment and to public health. Fortunately, businesses have a great opportunity to set a good example by taking steps to make their offices more environmentally friendly. Here are three easy ways to start:
The obvious first step is to recycle. Find out which of the materials you use are recyclable, and put in a significant effort to make sure you do it. To ensure that your business is recycling as much as possible, keep designated containers throughout the office alongside trash bins so that you can easily recycle throughout the day. Post lists of recyclable items to raise awareness among employees. Recycling allows materials to have a second use and reduces the waste that gets buried in landfills.
Know where your used electronics go. We all love our gadgets, but what happens to the old ones we throw away? E-waste is a huge issue that continues to compound each year. An estimated 80% of electronic waste is transported to Asia, where impoverished workers disassemble them in order to make a profit, exposing themselves to hazardous toxins. (Many of these workers are actually children!) Fortunately, there’s an easy way to make sure that you and your business don’t add to the problem. Be conscious of what you do with your used gadgets. If they’re in workable condition, consider donating them to a good cause. If they’re unusable, use GreenerGadgets.org’s easy search feature to find a responsible recycling center near you. Encourage your employees co-workers to get involved with these initiatives as well to help create a greener office culture.
Find ways to reduce your consumption. Yes, this does require effort. Initially, it also requires spending money. However, making positive changes that leave a lighter footprint on the earth pay off not only by making the world a better place, but they can also pay off for you and your business. Considering that paper accounts for 27% of municipal solid waste in the U.S., reducing the amount of paper your business uses can make a big difference for the environment.
That’s a big part of what we do at PSIGEN. We’re committed to helping businesses become more efficient and more profitable through the document capture process, which turns your paper documents into searchable, useful data. On a local scale, you save money and reduce your reliance on paper. On a grander scale, you help make the world a better place. Now that’s a good deal.
