Helping to conserve valuable natural resources and reduce the amount of trash you send to our over-burdened landfills is easier than you think when you practice the three R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) at your office.

Reduce

• Use double-sided printing/printers
• Set document defaults to smaller fonts and margins
• Use computer fax modems / e-Fax
• Email or use a bulletin board to minimize individual memo copies
• Replace paper documents with email messages and discourage printing
• Design marketing materials with no envelopes
• Use electronic billing
• Request vendors to reduce packaging when possible
• Eliminate polystyrene/Styrofoam containers
• Encourage reusable containers for lunches
• Provide supplies and food in bulk rather than individually packaged goods
• Provide reusable flatware in the break room
• Use natural cleaning products and washable towels instead of hazardous chemicals and paper towels
• Eliminate plastic bottles by providing a water filtration system to refill water bottles

Reuse

• Reuse scratch paper for printing drafts and memos
• Encourage reuse of disposable bags and purchase of reusable bags
• Use wadded paper for shipping
• Reuse packaging materials
• Use refillable and recyclable markers and writing implements
• Recycle or reuse carpeting
• Recycle pallets in business recycling dumpsters or arrange for collection
• Reuse or donate used furniture
• Reuse, donate, or recycle electronics

Recycle

• Provide recycling and composting containers
• Recycle all glass, paper, plastics and cardboard
• Recycle used printer cartridges or use refillable cartridges
• Recycle batteries or use rechargeable batteries
• Buy recycled content goods

And let's not forget the fourth "R"...

Rot

• Leave grass clippings on mowed turf (grasscycle)
• Compost food scraps
• Compost or recycle landscape debris and trimmings

For more about City Environmental Programs for businesses, visit our business homepage or email questions to GoGreen@toaks.org.