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What Can Businesses Do?

Businesses and offices can use a significant amount of resources for heating, cooling, lighting and operating equipment. Here are a few ways you can conserve and save at the office.

Manage office equipment energy use better - Office equipment and electronics use energy even when idle or on stand-by. To save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at work, always activate the power management features on your computer and monitor, unplug laptop power cords when not in use, and turn off equipment and lights at the end of the day. Consider using a power strip that can be turned off when you’re done using your computers, printers, wireless routers, and other electronics. Check out more ways to save energy.

Consider ENERGY STAR qualified products for the office - When buying new products for your office at work or at home, get the features and performance you want and help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Look for ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment, such as computers, copiers, and printers, in addition to more than 50 product categories, including lighting, heating and cooling equipment, and commercial appliances.

Use less energy for your commute - Switch to public transportation, carpooling, biking, telecommuting, and other innovative ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on your way to and from work. If you do drive, find out the fuel efficiency of your vehicle using EPA’s and DOE’s Fuel Economy Web site, and make more environmentally informed choices when purchasing your next vehicle by using EPA’s Green Vehicle Guide. If your company has a fleet, consider an anti-idling policy. It will reduce emissions and save on fuel.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle - Recycle office paper, newspapers, beverage containers, electronic equipment, and batteries. Reducing, reusing, and recycling in your office helps conserve energy, and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. You can reduce, reuse, and recycle at the office by using two-sided printing and copying, buying supplies made with recycled content, and recycling used printer cartridges. For your old electronics, investigate leasing programs to ensure reuse and recycling or donate used equipment to schools or other organizations. For more information on recycling in Nashville visit www.nashville.gov/recycle.

Conserve Water - Look for the WaterSense label when purchasing products. Using WaterSense labeled products will save you about 20 percent of the water that average products would use. Encouraging employees to turn off faucets and report leaks are other easy ways to conserve and save money.

Office Challenge - Consider a challenge in your office between staff, departments, etc. to create friendly competition. Track savings through reduced energy use, recycling and water conservation.

Source: www.epa.gov