Translate
14. Recycling bins are clearly labelled, and in every location where recyclables are generated.
To make recycling easy for staff, place recycling bins where recyclables are created, especially in offices and common areas such as break rooms, kitchens or by copy machines. We can supply you with resources such as recycling boxes, posters and decals.
15. Copy/print paper contains at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
Help close the recycling loop! Post-consumer products are, in fact, the reason we recycle. The recyclables you collect are processed into raw materials for manufacturing new products, reducing the demand for virgin materials. Think about the paper that you use the most, e.g., printer/copier paper, and ask your vendor for products that contain at least 30% post-consumer content.
Note: Paper can have certifications, such as FSC-certified, that do not include post-consumer content. Paper made with recycled content uses less energy, water, and chemicals to produce because the fiber has already been extracted from trees.
16. Two additional products purchased have recycled content.
You can help close the recycling loop in other ways. Think about the office products that you use the most, such as printer toner, pens, paper towels and envelopes, and ask your vendor for products that contain post-consumer content. Some office supply business accounts allow you to identify product options that are customized to help you meet your green purchasing goals. If you set up your account with these options, anyone in your organization can order products that meet your sustainability goals.
17. Food scraps are composted. (Required for food-generating businesses. See application.)
This is one of the very best actions you can take to decrease your organization’s environmental impact! Food scraps are rich material for compost. By collecting food scraps at your business, you keep waste out of the landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating nutrient-rich material that is highly valued by home gardeners, farmers, vineyards, nurseries and other businesses. Your Sustainability Advisor can help you set up a collection program if such service is available in your area. Visit our webpage on reducing wasted food for more information.
Getting Started:
Contact your Sustainability Advisor for help working out the logistics with your garbage hauler and to provide support initiating a program that works for your business. We offer inside containers and decals, discounted pricing options for compostable bags, knowledge of systems that work for different business types and training for staff.
18. One additional material beyond the basic recycling list is recycled.
Some materials that are not allowed in your curbside recycling bins can still be recycled if dropped off at recycling locations throughout the region. Consider setting up a collection for batteries, fluorescent lights, plastic film or other commonly used items that can be recycled but are simply being thrown away. Check Metro’s Find a Recycler page for drop-off locations or ask your Sustainability Advisor about market options for specific materials.
19. Paperless invoicing, billing and payroll are utilized in order to reduce paper use.
There are lots of easy ways to reduce the unnecessary use of paper at work. Consider using the Track Changes feature in Word, Google Docs or other available tools to share documents for review rather than printing multiple versions. You can also go digital for waivers or other forms, send faxes to an email account and use a projector in meetings to review agendas and reports rather than printing copies for everyone. Also, convert to default electronic payroll, invoicing and utility billing.
Printers and copiers are among the most energy-intensive fixtures in an office workplace. Printing fewer pages means using less energy and expensive toner — which helps the environment and your financial bottom line. For more ideas and tools we’ve created a Paper Reduction Toolkit connecting you with next steps and easy-to-use implementation tools.
20. Duplex printing is the default and centralized printers are used.
Make sure your printers, copiers and individual computers are set with the default of double-sided printing. There are several online tutorials about how to set your printing defaults for both PC and for Mac, or you can ask if your IT department can globally modify printer settings.
Centralized multifunction printer/copiers eliminate the need for personal desktop printers, save on toner costs and allow for automatic duplex printing. They can also have additional security features such as PIN printing, which requires employees to confirm their print job at the machine before printing will begin. PIN printing not only reduces duplicated and forgotten print jobs, but it also prevents sensitive documents from being left unattended. If you have centralized printers/copiers, make sure employees know how to use the available features.
You can also make use of old single-sided pages by using their blank sides as scratch paper. Make a designated spot of such unneeded pages near your printer, post a reminder sign and encourage employees to use that paper for taking notes rather than starting on a fresh sheet. Sustainability Advisors also have signage for GOOS (good on one side) collection boxes for your workplace.
21. Reusable dishware is used in day-to-day operations and at catered events.
Eliminate paper plates, paper cups and plastic utensils from your break room or kitchen, and provide washable, reusable service ware instead. Reusable dishware is the best environmental option and is almost always cheaper in the long run since they reduce the cost of purchasing and discarding single-use items. Don’t have a budget to buy dishes? Ask staff to bring in dishes that they are not using at home and stock the employee break room.
If your business has conference rooms or hosts a lot of meetings, you can use reusable dishes instead of disposables there as well. Keep a set of dishes for meetings in an easily accessible spot and set up a system for them to be washed and put away. If your business is interested in comparing sustainable options, the City of Portland offers guidance on purchasing.
22. Rechargeable batteries are used for radios, cameras and other electronic equipment.
Rechargeable batteries can be used over and over, saving you money over time and conserving non-renewable natural resources when compared to conventional, single-use batteries. The amount of materials and resources that go into manufacturing a single battery can be significant, and repeatedly buying single-use batteries only amplifies this problem. Rechargeable batteries are easily available, affordable and reliable, offering a convenient alternative. It’s also a lot easier and cheaper to recycle rechargeable batteries when they expire because of a product stewardship take-back program that includes thousands of free recycling locations .
23. A designated equipment reuse area is in place, such as for office supplies, furniture, electronics, etc.
Office equipment can frequently find a new use, reducing purchasing costs. If your business adds a designated space to store surplus office equipment such as binders, post-it notes, staplers, etc., employees have the opportunity to look for a reuse option before purchasing a new product. If you have too large an amount of surplus to store, there may be donation options. Reach out to Ask Metro to learn about donation and reuse options close to you.
24. Product packaging and shipping materials are reused.
Cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and packing peanuts are reusable. If your business ships and receives products regularly, consider setting up an area to store these materials for later reuse. In addition to the environmental benefits of reuse, this practice can reduce the amount of materials you must dispose of while reducing your need to purchase new materials. Many shipping companies will also take back clean packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse. To find a participating location, Ask Metro or inquire with your local shipping company.
25. Surplus items such as furniture, electronics and supplies are donated to charitable organizations.
Your outdated and surplus materials can be put to better use than simply languishing in a storage closet and they may have great value as a reuse alternative for others. The next time you find you have usable materials that you’re not putting to use, check to see if a local reuse organization will take them before you throw them in your garbage or recycling. Ask Metro to find a reuse organization near you (donation/reuse options appear in a seperate tab on Search Results page).
26. High-efficiency electric hand dryers are used in restrooms rather than paper towels.
High-efficiency electric hand dryers are the best environmental option for hand-drying, above paper towels and standard-speed hand dryers. They reduce a business’s paper waste and use far less energy than older models. The City of Portland has guidance on hand dryers and paper towels that can be shared with employees.
27. Modular carpet tiles are used so damaged areas can be replaced as needed.
Modular carpet tiles are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to rolled carpet due to the ease in replacing worn out and damaged sections. By being able to replace only the small areas that need replacing, you can extend the life of your carpet, saving you money while reducing manufacturing and disposal demands. A box of replacement tiles can easily be stored on-site.
28. An annual waste audit is conducted and the results are acted upon.
A waste audit simply helps an organization understand its waste streams and what is ending up where. Contact a Sustainability Advisor to get started. We have kits to check out or staff to assist you. During a waste audit, your Sustainability Advisor can help examine the sources, composition, weight and volume of the materials being thrown away. The results of an audit can help your staff or your green team educate other employees on reducing waste and uncover opportunities to change how materials are managed.
Note which items make up the bulk of your garbage or recycling and set goals to reduce those. Finding a lot of coffee cups? Encouraging your staff to use durable coffee mugs could reduce this substantially. Is a lot of paper going to waste? Setting up double-sided printed could reduce the amount of paper piling up in your recycling bins.
