While at work, what steps do you and your coworkers take in trying to "Be Green" everyday?

Question

I clean a small office building, with around 30 employees. I get so angry seeing all the waste I in the trash each week! So much could be recycled, but I do know the best way to approach this. I need a plan and a system that will work so I can present the idea to the office manager!

I want to know what you do to make our earth cleaner while at the office. It would be wonderful to hear your ideas on what systems have worked for your office, what has not and what you think may be a good suggestion.

Answer 1

well thats good,we'll give you a medal,I drive a deisal truck in Vegas,and I see people throw ther trash all over the freeway,spraypaint on the walls,and get in my way,causing me to brake and accelorate(this wastes more fuel and makes my engine work harder,I'd be happy to come to your work and sort your trash etc,if you would ride a bike to work and get out of my way..we do recycle aluminum cans at my job though...have a nice day

Answer 2

Since recycling actually wastes more than it saves, I throw everything away in the same trash bin with only one trash bag, then I feel good about myself with a pat on the back that I actually did more for the Great Mother Earth than the eco-terrorists who force the heresy of recycling on society.

Answer 3

We have seperate trash bins for things that can be recycled and the trash that cannot be recycled.  We collect and recycle ink cartridges from all the printers and use florescent lights.  The office rule is that employees have to share the expense of the coffee kitty.  Any money raised from recycling goes to the coffee fund so employees see a direct result from their efforts.

Answer 4

It's a difficult question because the answer has to be something that not only benefits the planet but immediately benefits the individuals involved.  Otherwise they will merely resent the extra effort.  So any solution you propose should cost each individual involved less effort than what they do now.  A manager I worked with had a catch phrase that expressed his management style.  He said: make the right way the easy way then people won't do things the wrong way.  In our office we simply have a cardboard box under each desk next to the rubbish bin all scrap paper goes into that bin and when it fills up the employee is expected to dump it in a container outside the office.  For me this means carrying out the box once every two months, not a heavy burden.  

Of course it helps that I am in a country with a recycling infrastructure in place so that economy of scale kicks in to make the whole thing efficient.

However to answer the person who says it costs more to recycle than to just throw it all in the same bag: the costs are not merely economic they are also aesthetic, when everything is thrown into the same heap there isn't much you can do with it except burn it or bury it and no one I know wants to live next to a garbage heap.

Answer 5

I telecommute as much as possible.  That cuts the wasted gasoline, which has environmental, security, and financial benefits.

I don't know exactly how you could manage it at your office, but I'd start by getting a sort of "trash inventory."  How much waste is produced and what kinds?  How much of it is recyclable?  Once I knew that, I'd contact the local sanitation department and find out what recycling programs they have.  Then I'd take all that information to the office manager and make my case.

You might also point out that being "green" is getting more popular these days, so having a greener office can improve a company's image.

JMB