Save Money and Natural Resources during
POLLUTION PREVENTION WEEK
September 17-23, 2007
This week is being recognized throughout Georgia and the Nation as an opportunity for your company to reduce its impact on the environment, and P²AD is here to help by introducing the Sustainable Office Toolkit. This free online tool will help your company develop a sustainability program, reducing its environmental footprint while improving the bottom line. Here’s a tip for each day this week to get you started...
Reduce Waste
An average 100-employee office spends over $5,000 a year buying copy paper and over $200 throwing it away. Save money and trees by using electronic communication as much as possible. And when you must print, use both sides and always recycle to turn that $200 landfill cost into $300 revenue! More »
Buy Green
Look for products that save money and the environment while meeting your needs. Easy wins include refilled toner cartridges (using 100 per year will save $2,000), tire re-treading (save over $1,200 when compared to new tires for a 10 small truck fleet), and energy-efficient products (newer, energy-efficient equipment often saves enough in operating costs to pay for itself). More »
Save Energy
Turning off equipment during non-business hours not only saves the electricity needed to run it, but also the air conditioning needed to cool it - a double impact! Running a computer and monitor 9 hours a day instead of 24 can save over $40 per year. More »
Conserve Water
Install 0.5 gallon per minute aerators on your faucets to reduce the amount of water used by 77% when compared to traditional 2.2 gallon per minute faucets. An office building installing low-flow aerators on 30 existing faucets can save $1200 every year on water with only a $300 one-time installation cost. More »
Commute Clean
Telecommuting prevents pollution by allowing employees to work remotely just as they would in the office without using any transportation. Teleworking just one day a week can save the employee as much as $750 and 72 hours a year while increasing productivity by 10-20%. More »
Build Green
Consider Green Building rating systems before renovation or construction. Green buildings not only benefit the environment but also have lower utility costs. They have been shown to cost $50-$70 less per square foot compared to conventional buildings over a 20 year period. More »
Be Socially Responsible
Adding a Social Responsibility strategy to your company’s corporate plan can improve your image and relations. According to a recent study, this commitment to leadership in the community and environment led 72% of companies to outperform others that are not integrating social responsibility into their business strategies. More »
The Pollution Prevention Assistance Division (P²AD) is a non-regulatory division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). P²AD partners with businesses and organizations in Georgia to provide free, confidential environmental technical assistance. For more information on P²AD, the Partnership Program, or the Sustainable Office Toolkit, visit www.P2AD.org.