Tips for going green?

[lee248]

I love to do every bit of activity that helps to keep the environment green. I always buy recycled toners send my broken gadgets/electronics for recycling, try to avoid unnecessary printing, using digital alternatives and purchasing sustainable products. I believe in doing my part for the environment because each bit counts, no matter how small it is.

But yet I wonder sometimes that is it really making any impact on the environment when there are the large corporate don't believe in it?

I'm conscious to know what do you believe and how you participating to this green campaign???

 

[~serenity~]

I send all sales invoices via email now, customers seem to prefer this too. So it saves paper and the postage costs too.

 

[Aurora Baltika]

Wear clothes made of bamboo.

 

[willhoppy]

Get a company in that can advise you. We used Your Smart Home (yoursmarthome.co.uk) they take the smart home technologies they use in a domestic setting and apply them to commercial areas - best of all, they provide a free consultation. They upgraded our lighting system to include features such as occupancy sensing and an "all off" switch. A small outlay that now provides us with continuous savings.

 

[EcoScheme]

I make all my own furniture out of used ink cartridges.

 

[samuelsun]

I used Eco-green printers for my company .. Because these printers are pollutions-less .. i also like clean environment ...

 

[Aurora Baltika]

Interesting. Can we see some pictures of your furniture?
Do you sell it or it's just a hobby?

 

[Paul Norman]

By re-arranging my whole way of doing business, and closing one of the offices, relocating staff, and therefore travelling less, I have reduced my plane travel from 100 flights a year to about 4, my car mileage from 40000 miles to about 15000.

This is in part a time saving, and cost saving thing. But when the green auditors come for the witch hunt, I shall remind them!

 

[Dawg]

You could start using recyclable, washable cloth bottom wipes instead of toilet tissue. These washable bottom wipes would also have the advantage of turning your visitors green.
Using an ecological font would save ink. (Less ink cartridges to make furniture from but you could sit on the floor on cushions made from the bottom wipes that were beyond the wipe safely stage.)

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Someone is not taking this thead very seriously are they?

 

[Paul Norman]

When I read threads like this I take them very seriously indeed. But, in addition, they concern me.

Wise useage of the planets resources, and the avoidance of pollution, seem to be wise goals whatever your take on the details of the 'green' debate.

As a child, we recycled all biodegradable waste, as we had a large garden and needed the compost. We produced a tiny amount of waste for the bin lorry to take to landfill, a fraction of most modern households. Milk came in refillable bottles. Most shopping was done locally - no petrol useage, and no plastic bags, because we had our own, reuseable, bags.

And so on. So I do find the topic makes me sign a little, not because I don't take it seriously, but because, actually, it is not modern, but old.

I stand accused of not being particularly into the green stuff, yet, as I pointed out above, I have probably made bigger percentage savings as a business than just about anyone.

The question is, could I, should I, do more than that.

Well, the answer is yes. And we do think about these things. As a business, one of our challenges is that deliveries produce vast quantities of cardboard. We can easily fill the recylcing skip a couple of times over!

 

[TheBAB]

By re-arranging my whole way of doing business, and closing one of the offices, relocating staff, and therefore travelling less, I have reduced my plane travel from 100 flights a year to about 4, my car mileage from 40000 miles to about 15000.

This is in part a time saving, and cost saving thing. But when the green auditors come for the witch hunt, I shall remind them!

That is fantastic news! You should publicse achievements like that, if you don't already.

I've recently uploaded an article on easy tips to become greener in the office. I hope some of you find it helpful...

http://www.british-assessment.co.uk/articles/top-10-green-office.htm

 

[Paul Norman]

That is fantastic news! You should publicse achievements like that, if you don't already.

I've recently uploaded an article on easy tips to become greener in the office. I hope some of you find it helpful...

http://www.british-assessment.co.uk/articles/top-10-green-office.htm

Not a bad idea, actually. Not sure what percentage reduction in my carbon footprint I have achieved, but it must be quite worthwhile!

 

[lee248]

I make all my own furniture out of used ink cartridges.

Interesting! I would like to see your work buddy. Can you tell me some websites where I can get some inspiration?

I just send my empty cartridges to GreenTech for recycling but they recycle the original empty cartridge only once for better quality. So I have no idea what to do with a recycled cartridge when it gets empty and I throw them in the trash can

 

[whatthehell]

You can really make furniture out of old ink cartridges>

 

[td2011]

As long as we are all doing the basics then that's going to make a difference. I know that ethical companies do exist but I do feel that bigger companies could do more for the environment.

 

[hongman]

One of the biggest areas of carbon wastage is computers.

Energy Efficient Computing is one of the biggest motions happening in the IT World, ranging from full blown datacentre virtualisation, SRC (Shared Resource Computing), to just replacing desktop PC's with ethically made, highly recyclable energy efficient ones.

One of the major manufacturers behind this is a company called Very PC whom I work very closely with.

Not only does Energy Efficient Computing directly reduce electricity consumed but it helps indirectly in things like Air Conditioning costs (less power = less heat = less A/C needed to cool). In Very PC's case it also reduces desk real estate taken up and you know there are no toxic chemicals or materials used in the manufacturing process, even down to the packaging - every little helps! They even come with a 5 year warranty as standard, which is the typical lifespan of an office computer - effectively lifetime warranty!

The government (Carbon Trust Scheme) also recognise this as a very positive move forward and backed interest free loans for companies to replace their old equipment with new Energy Efficient equipment, directly based on their annual energy savings. This has now been taken over by a private company offering much the same thing but with some slightly looser criteria.

Several of my clients have taken this on board since I approached them about it and each have love the product, and I have no doubt this will continue to be a popular choice.

The myth that "Green" computing means slow performance and premium prices is easily laid to rest. If you are serious about "Going Green" I highly suggest you look into this.

NB
Sorry mods, this isnt meant to be a plug for myself, but I work in this field and have experience of it. I feel this is completely relevant to the OP's question. If you feel this is too much an "advertisement" please feel free to delete this.

 

[Parker_Jones]

I send all sales invoices via email now, customers seem to prefer this too. So it saves paper and the postage costs too.

Good idea!!!

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

one of our challenges is that deliveries produce vast quantities of cardboard. We can easily fill the recylcing skip a couple of times over!

Cardboard makes very good compost, especially when mixed with grass cuttings. This is what recyclers do (or should be doing). Is it possible to take some home and make your own compost?

Barrie

 

[markmax]

Hi,
Here are some tips:

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
2. Join the Green Gym
3. Save Energy
4. Cleaning

 

[Davek0974]

But yet I wonder sometimes that is it really making any impact on the environment when there are the large corporate don't believe in it?

Hmmm, there are currently 7 billion people on the face of this planet, do you REALLY think that ANYTHING you do alone will make the slightest bit of difference??????

To make any diffeence it will need to be on a global scale.

Corporate scale is insignificant, country wide is insignificant, it will need to be all or nothing.

 

[James Greg]

It's great to know that someone is making efforts to do mother nature some good. I also try to save paper and energy as much as I can but I'm sorry to say that huge corporations pay very little attention towards this. Paper is wasted like anything and machines are being used where if worked by hand would cost less, but to modernize the company machines are used unnecessarily

 

[James Greg]

Wear clothes made of bamboo.

That would be great, kindly advise how to make them.

 

[James Greg]

I make all my own furniture out of used ink cartridges.

Please advise how to make a rocking char!

 

[Davek0974]

It's great to know that someone is making efforts to do mother nature some good.

I too do "my bit" as it were wherever possible, the difference is, i actually don't think it makes any difference, that does not deter me from doing it though.

The major polluters on the planet should be the focus of any green force, including a ban deforestation which is a major problem on many different angles.

 

[Davek0974]

we always send invoice via paper so save so many papers by us

:|:|:| Surely you mean email?

 

[tom123]

I was in the restaurant field for close to 4 years, and I know that everything is premade, boxed, bagged, and full of blubber ready to be assembled. I love that I get the same great flavor, without the excess fat and preservatives. It's healthy, full of flavor, and I already have all of the ingredients in my kitchen.

 

[tom123]

Right now you can be on your way to create the fine dining experience that you enjoy and your family deserves. While you save time and enjoy quality meals at home, think of the money you will save. Just prepare these meals once a week, and you could save well over $180 a month at a minimum. In fact, friends would wish they had you as their master chef to make them these satisfying meals.

 

[Davek0974]

I can smell a lot of tinned pork & ham product

 

[ecoliving]

There is so much talk about green issues these days that it is difficult to know who to believe, isn't it? At Wikaniko, all we concentrate on is the fact that if we cover our land with plastic bags, hazardous chemicals and other forms of pollution, damage is absolutely inevitable.

One of the simplest, quickest and easiest ways to instantly help reduce the problem and for us to do our bit is to use plastic bags that degrade in a short time frame, instead of being around for hundreds of years.​

 

[td2011]

There is so much talk about green issues these days that it is difficult to know who to believe, isn't it? At Wikaniko, all we concentrate on is the fact that if we cover our land with plastic bags, hazardous chemicals and other forms of pollution, damage is absolutely inevitable.

One of the simplest, quickest and easiest ways to instantly help reduce the problem and for us to do our bit is to use plastic bags that degrade in a short time frame, instead of being around for hundreds of years.​

Yes you're right it is difficult to know what is the best action to take for the good of our environment. One thing for sure though is that your advice on the plastic bag issue is absolutely right. I think it's reasonable to fade the use of them out completely.

 

[ekkopal]

If there is a contest for all the countries on supporting going green. I would say North Korea will be the champain because almost all N.Koreans are skinny, except their dictator and his sons, and there is basically a complete black out at night from the view of a satellite.

To do your part on reducing the global warming effect, eat less meat everyday and go to bed early at night.

P.S. Are you still reviewing replies on the forum, go and shut down your computer now.

 

[Aurora Baltika]

I wouldn't be too sure about N.Korea. We only can guess what's going on on their factories, what chemicals they use and where they dump their waste.

 

[ekkopal]

I wouldn't be too sure about N.Korea. We only can guess what's going on on their factories, what chemicals they use and where they dump their waste.

-------------------------------

It's just a joke, don't take what I said seriously.

About your concern, I think N.Korean is doing a good job at taking care of the nuclear waste,if they were acutally producing any nuclear wapons, otherwise the radiation the waste gives off should have been detected by US spy devices long ago.

I am now shutting down my computer for the day for the caimpagn of going green

 

[Aurora Baltika]

Yeah, better leave N.Korea, otherwise this discussion will get carried away from being green to discussing politics

 

[Hoojuan]

i think everyone should do the best for our environment.So i change my room's light for LED lights my friends said the LED light is good for our surroundings, and i do my best.

 

[Eco-girl]

I like to do my bit and actually found that some of the supermarkets sell refill kits for ink cartridges. I didn't think it would work but it does! I've only spent £12 to refill both black and colour cartridges this year. I've filled the black one about 5 times and still have 1/2 a bottle of black ink left. If you've got a posh printer it'll probably have an anti-fill thing on it so I'd check first if it can be refilled.

I think we little people can make a difference if we all do our bit. One ant can't build an anthill............

Definitely degradable bags so we don't add to the problem we've already created and that's not just carrier bags - bin bags and sandwich bags too. The degradable ones aren't any dearer anyway.

You can buy composters cheap from most of the councils who are trying to help people to reduce their waste - and it's easy to do and you get free fertiliser for the garden so why not?

Also, instead of throwing out stuff - even an odd slab left over from laying a patio, put it on Freecycle. You'd be surprised what's on there! Most areas have got one. You can find them on yahoo groups. Or auction it on Ebay - what's one person's rubbish is someone elses..........whatever. Save on fees and wicycle it!

We've got loads of ways to go green at wikidways.

 

[Davek0974]

Definitely degradable bags so we don't add to the problem we've already created and that's not just carrier bags - bin bags and sandwich bags too. The degradable ones aren't any dearer anyway.

Thinking of bags..

Why don't we use plain brown paper bags??

Are they more polluting than a plastic bag? I doubt it. A lot of US shopping markets use plain paper carriers and have done for many years but not us.

And sandwich boxes...

I bought a sandwich yesterday from a high street bakers (well known one) and it came in a cardboard box, fully printed, with a plastic window in it. Now, the plastic window alone will render it as mixed waste and destined for landfill!!

Why the need for the box anyway, a single wrap of food-paper with a small label on it would suffice surely?

Packaging is a major source of pollution and in my view should be tackled more aggressively.

 

[darixmaner]

When you are buying look at the packaging, things that are packaged inside of packaging cause too much waste. Buy things that are minimally packaged. It is a small difference, but at the end of the day, every little bit helps.

 

[WilliamH]

If you ever think that your contribution is insignificant, have a look at the Tesco carrier bag re-use scenario. As one household we no longer use ~6 new disposable carrier bags every week (which makes no difference to the world at all) but all Tescos customers together have apparently used 2.1 billion bags less over the last year!

Enough people doing what they think makes no difference will add up to make a difference....