Earth Day and Setting Up a Green Home Office

Earth Day is on April 22nd, an inspiring day of awareness and appreciation for our environment. As you may already know Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, an environmental activist, conceived the idea on a trip he took to Santa Barbara after the terrible oil spill off our coast in 1969. He had been so outraged that he took a leading role in organizing the celebration and then passed a bill to celebrate the earth every year after.

You too can take the lead and be inspired to do your “Green” part as a small business owner. Make a difference by considering the following ways to save energy and resources by making environmental choices when setting up your home office.

Purchase Recycled Paper - Paper is typically the number one supply used in any office. Consider how you can reduce, reuse, or recycle paper (or better yet share electronic files with others). You’ll help reduce the number of trees needed to make paper, keep it out of the trash and reduce energy cost.

Electronic Media - Instead of sending newsletters or post cards by mail to advertise consider using an electronic mailing list where customers can opt into for all the important news regarding your company. There’s even an added bonus…you’ll save the cost of postage!

Subscriptions and Junk Mail – Cancel hard-copy subscriptions to newspapers, newsletters, and magazines you can access on line. If you don’t read it, you don’t need it. Then visit Direct Marketing Association at www.dmaconsumers.org/consumerassistance.html and take your name off mailing lists to reduce all that junk mail you've been trashing.

Recycled Furniture - Before you buy new furniture, consider gently used or refurbished furniture. Wood can be painted or stained and you can add some recovered cushions to match your personal decor. If you prefer new, seek out a manufacturer that recycles steel or aluminum in their furniture designs. The choices are many for Eco-friendly desks, chairs and cabinets.

Buy in Bulk and Refillable – Buy pencils and pens that are refillable. They can be refilled over and over again and remember to read the label before you buy to avoid any dangerous toxic inks. Save the environment (and money) from single packages and buy your writing tools in bulk.

Being in charge is probably one of the greatest benefits of small business ownership. The resources and energy saving actions we take as the decision makers can make a big difference in reducing waste and pollution. So remember to make the right environmental choices...reduce, reuse and recycle every day.
Happy Earth Day. - CT