How to “go green” on a limited budget
Issue:

With high oil prices and the threat of global warming, you would like to set up a plan to make your company more environmentally friendly. You’ve even heard feedback from employees who want the company to “go green.” You don’t think senior management would approve an elaborate environmental responsibility program due to the costs involved. What are some low-cost ideas that you can suggest?
Answer:    

Every organization can provide some level of socially and environmentally conscious practices. Here are some low-cost steps companies can take to get greener:

  • Initiate or expand telecommuting to cut the number of employees driving to the office, which will lower auto emissions as well as office energy use.
  • Maintain a slightly cooler office temperature during the winter and slightly warmer temperature in the summer to lower heating and cooling costs.
  • Organize employee car pools.
  • Have employees save paper that would normally be discarded. Reuse the clean side of the paper in the office copier and fax machines.
  • Ask employees to bring in their own coffee mugs to eliminate the need for foam cups.
  • Establish a recycling program for plastics, cans and paper.

Source: Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc., 150 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2700, Chicago, IL; telephone: 312-332-5790.
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