Nearly every office, be it commercial or home-based, may have areas of
inefficiency that can be improved upon. We are not talking sales
figures or profit margins or budgets, but inefficient waste and
resource management. For instance, let us look at some common aspects
and consider how consumption can be reduced and how to make better use
of resources.
Not all paper work and receipts need to be shredded, but sometimes, for
the sake of security, it is necessary. This shredded paper is
recyclable or it can be contributed in layers to a compost or worm bin.
It can also be donated to animal shelters or pet stores where it is
used in the bottom of cages to help keep them clean. This will ease
workloads on staff, keep operational costs down, and the animals are
more comfortable in their cages. The animal waste along with the
bedding is easily composted.
Technology now makes it possible to save paper on a daily basis by
sending emails. Worth mentioning, is the time saved as compared to
communicating via the postal system. When sending a fax, if possible,
refrain from using a cover sheet. For efficient paper use at the
photocopy machine, set it to automatically print pages on both sides.
When making draft copies with the photocopier or printer, use the
reverse side of any suitable scrap paper. We keep a box of this paper
handy for visiting children to color and draw upon. The blank side of
any scrap paper can be used for shopping lists, reminder notes, game
scoring, or the perpetual to do list(s) that we all have.
We often use sheets of adhesive labels in our office printer. The
edges, top and bottom of each used sheet have 1/4" of remaining unused
material. These can be trimmed to convenient lengths and stored in a
small jar (or other storage container of choice). These labels come in
handy when labeling items destined for the freezer, jam jars, bulk
foods or shop and craft supplies.
Keep computer equipment such as external drives, printers and scanners
powered off when they are not in use – turn them on only for the
duration that they are needed. Stand-by power (lights or clock
displays) can be eliminated by either using a power bar or by manually
unplugging the equipment. Sleep the computer during the day when not in
use (lunch, coffee, or meetings) and turn all equipment off before
leaving at the end of the day.
These are some simple suggestions, yet they will save time, money, and resources, which is in the best interest of any office.
