Here are Tips 76 – 80, all based on your Restrooms. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #76: Go for green cleaning products. You definitely want your restrooms to be clean for your employees, but you don’t have to use harsh chemicals. Purchase green products like the ones found here, or explore new greener products available from some of your favorite companies. These options aren’t any more expensive than regular cleaning products.

Tip #77: Check out recycled toilet paper options. Often, these options are the same price or cheaper.

Tip #78: Close your restrooms to the public. If you own a restaurant or other such business, you obviously can’t do this, but small businesses don’t all have to provide restrooms. By keeping them employee-only, you’ll cut down on cleaning and paper products, as well as as water and electricity usage, which is better for the budget and the environment.

Tip #79: Go green from the start. If you’re building or renovating, consider going all out with a green restroom. You can find some great tips here. The up front costs are higher, but you’ll save money on energy and water in the end.

Tip #80: Use single paper towel sheets. When people crank as much as they want, they often take more than they need. Single sheets are much more efficient. Make sure you look for recyclable options! 

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 76-80

Here are Tips 71 – 75 – all about banking. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #71: Choose banks with positive green goals. Like with all industries, banking can go green, and I’m not talking about money. Many banks are making positive environmentally-friendly goals. Do a little research so that you can open your business accounts at banks committed to going green. For example, check out PNC’s Thinking green? So are we. page, or go totally green with Green Bank. I urge you to check out your local banks as well!

Tip #72: Offer online payment options. If you have a website, you can easily implement shopping cart tools to help you offer online payment options, which cuts down on checks and invoices (since people can save receipts in their email rather than printing them). You should have free shopping cart options available with your hosting plan, but if you don’t, you can also check out free options with PayPal.

Tip #73: Take your banking online. Almost all banks offer secure online banking these days. As long as you keep your password private, doing your banking online should be extremely safe. Ask to go to paperless banking complete if you can. That way, you won’t be wasting paper every month with your statement. You can always ask them to print the month if you review it online and have a question or need a copy of that specific month for your records.

Tip #74: Pay with your business card (and pay it off every month). There’s nothing wrong with using a credit card – as long as you pay it off every single month in full. If you have enough self-restraint to do that, paying all of your business expenses with a credit card means that you’ll write fewer checks. You’ll just have one big one to write at the end of every month, and you can even pay that online if your credit card company allows online banking. Use this tip with caution – falling into credit card debt can mean that your business loses thousands of dollars.

Tip #75: Keep clear, clean copies of your records. Organization of your business banking is key. Why is this greener? If you aren’t organized with your paperwork, you’ll have to get documents reprinted every time you need them, wasting paper, ink, energy, time, and money. File your statements and loan information properly the first time.

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 71-75

Here are Tips 61 – 70 – all about promotion. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #61: Choose slim business cards. I posted earlier this week about the awesome green business cards I got from BizCard.com, but even if you don’t like any from that company, look for a “slim” version or even a square version. They use less paper, and sometimes even cost less, especially with shipping since they are lighter.

Tip #62: Give away usable items. Every business needs promotional products, but when you’re choosing what to give away, go some something people can actually use. For example, pens are good. Pinwheels are bad.

Tip #63: Look for a business that is environmentally responsible. Sometimes you can’t necessarily afford the recycled products, but you can work with a company that is forward-thinking when it comes to the environment. Support a company that has green policies.

Tip #64: Print on both sides. If you’re going to hand out fliers or other promotion material, print information on both sides. You’ll save half of the paper, which will in turn save you money.

Tip #65: Choose “evergreen” products. Resist the urge to buy items with dates on them, because they’re only good for a limited time. Then, you’ll throw the rest away or stack them on a shelf until someone ten years from now throws them away. You’ll get more bang for your buck (and waste less) if you purchase promotional products that can be given out until they’re all gone, no matter if that is tomorrow or in five years.

Tip #66: Choose email newsletters instead of snail mail newsletters. There are actually a number of companies that can help you put together an email campaign. You can still mail copies to people who don’t have an email address, but when you’re promoting your business via email, you’re saving on paper, ink, and production costs.

Tip #67: Skip the billboard. They’re really ecologically unfriendly, waste a ton of energy to erect, and run up energy bills to be lighted at night. Instead (if you must), opt for smaller promotional signs in high-traffic areas near your location.

Tip #68: Network, Network, Network! Yes, there’s another reason to talk up your business to friends and family members – it is a green choice! Word of mouth costs nothing and isn’t bad for the environment. The less money you have to spend on energy-suckers like TV and radio ads, the better.

Tip #69: Recycle promotional material you get. You’re bound to get faxes, fliers, brochures, and more from other companies who can help you. Instead of keeping all of this paper paraphernalia, create a spreadsheet to track names and contact information, and then recycle the document. If it is printed on one side, you can use the other side to print non-important jobs or jot down phone messages. No matter what, though, make sure all paper products eventually end up in the paper recycling bin.

Tip #70: Buy recycled promotional products when you can. Before you automatically assume that recycled products aren’t of a high quality or are too expensive, take some time to compare prices. You might be surprised to find that what you need is just as inexpensive as the non-recycled version!

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 61 – 70

Here are Tips 51 – 60 – all about conferences, meetings, and training. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #51: Find the most centralized location possible. Everyone will save on travel costs, and you’ll also be using less fuel. In addition, some people who might have had to fly can carpool instead.

Tip #52: Make green speakers a part of the event. You have to pay for guest speakers anyway, so why not offer a presentation on going green? If it fits into the theme of the conference, training day, or meeting, it can help all the people present learn even more go-green tips. Look for local men and women making environmental choices with their businesses.

Tip #53: Hold the conference in the hotel. That way, people won’t need to drive to a conference center for the day. If the hotel isn’t equipped to hold your event, try to find a place that is walkable, offer a bus for transport, or give your conference-goers information about the public transportation available.

Tip #54: Have one long event instead of multiple short events. For example, if all of your office branches come together for training days, do this once a year in a three-day event instead of three days spread throughout the year. You’ll save money on travel, which is good for the wallet and the environment.

Tip #55: Consider traveling speakers instead of a large event. If you’re considering an event for you whole office to come together and listen to a guest speaker or someone training on new office tools, consider instead paying for the speaker to travel instead of all of the employees to travel. Of course, you have to find a willing presenter, but sending one person over a combined 200 miles in a week might be cheaper than sending 200 employees 50 miles once. It’s greener too, since fewer people will be traveling.

Tip #56: Forget the schedules. It can cost a lot of money to print schedules, and even if you do so on recycled paper, most people barely look at them before throwing them away. Instead, print large schedules and post them generously throughout the conference space. This won’t work for large events over the course of many days, but is a good solution for smaller events.

Tip #57: Consider video conferencing instead. If you meet regularly with other branches of your office, consider instead purchasing video conferencing equipment. It might be a large up-front cost, but over time, you’ll make that money back, since you’ll no longer have to pay for traveling. Here are some places where you can purchase video conferencing equipment:

• • IVCi: http://www.ivci.com/
  • Tandberg: http://www.tandberg.com/
  • Global Media: http://www.globalmedia.com/

United Visual, where you can also purchase video conferencing equipment, also have a buying guide here: http://unitedvisual.com/2tips/2tvcf101.asp.

Tip #58: Donate your leftovers. If you’re going to have food at your event, there will most definitely be leftovers. Try to use organic products when you can, but no matter what, think of a menu in terms of leftovers. You will feel good about the charitable donation AND it might have tax benefits (as your accountant). At the very least, the food won’t be going to waste, and you won’t have to pay to trash it. The Second Harvest program is an easy way to donate.

Tip #59: Allow guests to RSVP online. Create a webpage for the event on your company website and instead of asking participants to mail in an RSVP card, allow them to do it online. You’ll save money (and resources) on return postage and envelopes.

Tip #60: Remember that not everyone has to go to every event. If you’ve been invited to an event (rather than are the ones hosting it), keep in mind that not everyone has to go. After all, does it really make sense for your intern or secretary to go to a marketing conference? Better yet, send just one or two people and have them report back to everyone else. Everyone can take turns getting days off to go. The less people who attend, the more money you’ll save and the better it is for the environment.

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life!

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 51 – 60

You don’t need to sacrifice profits to go green with your small business. In fact, going green might save your business some money! In this Green to Save Green series, I’m challenging readers to make 101 environmental changes over the next 1001 days.

Here are Tips 46 – 50 – all about business dress. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #46: Recycle your old duds. People gain and lose weight all of the time. However, instead of throwing away your business dress that doesn’t fit anymore, give it to a organization that could use it. For example, try Dress for Success, a group that provides business attire for disadvantaged women around the world. Once a year, hold a clothing drive in your office and collected unwanted pieces for charity.

Tip #47: Think year-round. Many pieces of clothing can play double duty, working well for your look in the fall/winter and in the spring/summer. Try not to buy too many pieces that you cant wear year-round. Get more use out of the clothing you have instead of buying double everything!

Tip #48: Buy green business suits. No, I don’t mean the color green. Did you know that there are tons of companies out there making suits from organic or recycled materials? These pieces aren’t kooky looking or anything – no one will even know the differences. Best of all, they’re priced the same as regular business suits, and you might even find some for a bit cheaper. The range I saw was about $100 – $700.

Tip #49: Choose clothing that is machine washable. Dry cleaning is super harmful because most companies use the chemical perchloroethylene. Even other chemicals, although less harmful, are still bad for the environment. So, look for pieces that can be washed by hand or in the machine instead. You’ll save money on dry cleaning and be avoiding a biohazard. 

Tip #50: Instate casual Friday. If you’re in a position to do so, start (or ask your boss to start) casual Friday – one day a week when everyone can wear what they want, as long as it is in good taste. Casual clothing is much less expensive, rarely needs to be dry cleaned, and is easier to find in organic styles.

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life!

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 46 – 50

Here are Tips 41 – 45 – all about greening your coffee break. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #41: Buy “green” coffee. When purchasing coffee, look for organic, fair-trade, environmentally friendly beans. Yes, it can sometimes be more expensive, but if you shop around, you can find some great joe prices, even for brews that are environmentally friendly.

Tip #42: Stop at McDonald’s for your pre-work cup. McDonald’s has awesome cheap coffee, and beginning in 2009, they’re going green. You can find a cup for much less, so why not swing by their drive-through with your carpool. If you don’t have a McD’s on the way to your work, do a little research to find out what restaurants in your area are serving green coffee.

Tip #43: Purchase reusable mugs for guests. I already talked about how you should ditch the Styrofoam cups for mugs for your employees (see tip #14), but what about guests to your office? Consider purchasing some classy, washable mugs they can use as well. It means a little money at the start, but you’ll save over time since you won’t have to buy cups anymore. I like something clear like this one, or you can even go for mugs with your company logo on them that guests can take home – at less than a $1 each, it is a small expense for some great advertising!

Tip #44: Buy a personal coffee machine. Sure, it makes sense to brew a few pots for the entire office in the morning. What about the one employee who drinks it all day though? I worked in an office once where one girl would make pot after pot, only to pour half away every time because it would get cold. Invest in a personal coffee maker for the “all day”-ers. You’ll save money on the coffee you’re dumping down the drain, and it’s more environmentally friendly since you’ll be wasting less coffee and water. I actually own this one and LOVE it.

Tip #45: Stop drinking so much coffee. You can’t change the habits of everyone in your office, but you can change your own habits. Do you really need that cup of coffee? Instead, try to focus on healthy eating and sleeping routines so you’re less tired during the day. Reduce what you use – it is better for your health, your pocketbook, and Mother Nature.

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 41 – 45

Here are Tips 31 – 40 – all about recycling. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #31: Recycle your ink and toner cartridges. There are actually companies out there (like Free Recycling) that will pay you to do so, and I believe that some of the major office supply stores offer discounts at the register for every cartridge you return. It’s like returning your glass soda/milk bottles!

Tip #32: Recycle company phones. If your company have cell phones, don’t throw them away when you upgrade. Donate them to a local woman’s shelter or check out this post about a program that pays you for your old phones.

Tip #33: Add recycling bins to every room. Let’s face it – garbage is expensive. You either pay per month for x number of bags or per bag (we do that – $1.75 per sticker). The more your recycle, the less trash you’ll have, and in most cities, recycling is free! You don’t have to purchase special trash bins or anything – just use old boxes you have lying around and write “aluminum” or “plastic” or whatever on the front.

Tip #34: Save and recycling packaging material. Those packaging peanuts are especially bad. When you receive a box filled with them, don’t throw them away – they’re filling up landfills alarmingly quickly. instead, save them to use when you need to mail a package. Don’t have any peanuts? Don’t buy more! Ship your package using crumbled up pieces of newspaper or scrap paper.

Tip #35: Once a year, have an office “yard sale.” If anyone has extra stuff that they don’t need or want, have them put it outside of their doors. Everyone else can walk around and pick up coat racks, desk lamps, pencils, etc. that they need. If you do this, everyone will “spring clean” – condense binders together, digs the pens out of their chair cushions, etc. You might want to ask everyone to have two boxes of items – office use only (things bought with company money that others can use in their offices) and personal item (things bought with the employees’ money that others can take home if they want OR use in their offices). It avoids having to throw things away AND you’ll save money when you order office supplies.

Tip #36: Set company goals. It doesn’t cost any money to have recycling goals for your office. As a team, set goals and then post these goals in the hallway or break room to remind everyone to recycle.

Tip #37: Reuse the birthday bag. Do you celebrate birthdays are your office? If so, instead of wrapping presents, purchase one large birthday bag that can be used for every employee. Anyone wanting to contribute a present can just put it in the bag. That way, you don’t have to purchase paper all of the time.

Tip #38: Create magazine holders from cereal boxes. There’s no need to purchase fancy office desk sets. Instead. use the cereal boxes you have at home to create magazine holders for your office. With a little paint, no one will even notice. Here are directions for this craft project.

Tip #39: Recycle old CDs. Like many offices, you probably have a pile of of CDs lying around. Every time you get a new computer, it comes with a billion of them, and some companies even send free disks in the mail for things you’ll never use. Don’t toss them. Recycle or reuse! If you or any of your employees are crafty, you can try this list of CD crafts, or you can simply recycle them here

Tip #40: Recycle old magazines. Chances are that someone in your office has kids. Before throwing out old magazines, see if anyone in the office could use them. (I used to baby-sit, and we were constantly doing collages and school projects using magazines.) You can also use them for packaging instead of newspaper (see tip #34).

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life!

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 31 – 40

Here are Tips 26 – 30 – all about paper and printing. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #26: Add a green message to your email. I like something like “Save a tree – don’t print this email unless you need to!” Encourage your employees to do the same. It’s a free message to everyone you email on a daily basis!

Tip #27: Keep a “scrap paper” bin by the printer in your office. In this bin, you can throw anything that can still be printed on if the document isn’t important. Avoid anything is confidential information, but you can include things like emails you don’t need anymore, printing mistakes, and so forth. If there’s a blank side, it can be used again!

Tip #28: Keep the network printer turned off. You’ll be surprised how many fewer documents people will print if they have to get up from their desks to switch on the printer!

Tip #29: Purchase recycled paper. You can find recycled paper that is just as cheap as packs of regular paper. I looked it up, since I don’t personally purchase a ton of paper. On Amazon, typical printer paper was around $5 for a ream of 500 sheets. Recycled printer paper was $6 – $7. That’s like paying 1.4 cents for a sheet instead of 1 cent for a sheet – negligible really unless you use tons of paper every day.

Tip #30: Unplug your printer every night. Remember, plugged in electronics suck energy, even when they are asleep or completely turned off. Unplug that beast!

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life!

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 26 – 30

You don’t need to sacrifice profits to go green with your small business. In fact, going green might save your business some money! In this Green to Save Green series, I’m challenging readers to make 101 environmental changes over the next 1001 days.

Here are Tips 16 – 25, all related to saving energy. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #16: Take the stairs. Sure it doesn’t save you thousands of dollars, but it does save a little money and it definitely is better for your health. Read more here.

Tip #17: Unplug your office at the end of the day. Even when your computer and printer is turned off, energy is being sucked from the outlet. Stop feeding this phantom. Unplug everything when you leave or pick up an Energy Saving Smart Strip. You’ll save money on your energy bill, so the purchase will pay for itself over time.

Tip #18: Talk to your energy company about renewable options. In many cases, you can simply voice your preference and be switched to renewable energy for free.

Tip #19: Shop around for the best energy policies. Chances are that there is more than one energy company in your area. Read up on the companies and support the ones that are making the best efforts to go green.

Tip #20: Open your windows and turn off the lights. We keep the lights on all day, but often, just opening the blinds gives you enough light. That saves money for NOTHING.

Tip #21: Replace your heating system. Yes, this is a major expense, but if you have the money for it, updating your furnace can significantly clean up your energy usage. Over time, you will make up the cost.

Tip #22: Switch off your screen saver. Instead, have your computer automatically switch to “sleep.” Screen savers waste energy.

Tip #23: Next time you update your computer, get a laptop. If you have to buy a new computer anyway, you might as well purchase a more energy-efficient option. Laptops use less energy (and make it possible to work from home).

Tip #24: Look for electronics with the Energy Star label. Usually, you can find products of equal prices.

Tip #25: Only charge your cell phone for the time you need to charge it. In other words, don’t leave it plugged in all day while you work. Even when it is fully charged, it will still suck energy.

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life!

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 16 – 25

Here are Tips 11 – 15, based on green office products that are less expensive than their counterparts or save you money in the long run. For the rest of your challenge tips, head to this post. If you’re making any (or all!) of these changes with your small business, let me know by leaving a comment!

Tip #11: Get a staple-less stapler. I’ve posted about this great product here. This “stapler” folds the paper instead of using the metal staples. At less than $7 each, they are already pretty cheap, but over time, you’ll also save money because you won’t have to purchase staples. You can purchase one here.

Tip #12: Switch to CFL bulbs. You can purchase CFL bulbs for less than $20 for a pack of 12. I’m aware that this is more expensive than regular light bulbs, but they’ll save you a ton of money on your energy bill, plus last a lot longer. They’ll pay for themselves in about five months. Read more or purchase bulbs here.

Tip #13: Trade in your lawn mower for a self-powered push mower. If you have a small patch of grass to mow, having a clunky mower is expensive. The mower itself costs a lot, and you also have to buy gas. Instead, trade that in for a self-powered push mower. You can check out the following models:

• Scotts 20-Inch Classic Push Reel Lawn Mower #2000-20
• Scotts 18-Inch Deluxe Push Reel Lawn Mower #815-18S
• American Lawn Mower Company 18-Inch Reel Mower #1815-18

Tip #14: Get rid of the Styrofoam coffee cups. It isn’t hard to round up some mugs to use instead. Just ask the people in your office – most people have more than a few extra mugs they can bring in. Make everyone in charge of rinsing out and washing their mug at the end of the day.

Tip #15: Buy recycled desk pads. Desk pads are great for protect the wood of your desk and jotting down notes. You can purchase recycled paper versions at The Green Office starting at around $7. That’s really around the same prices as a regular paper pad.

Come back tomorrow for a continuation of this list, or head to this post to read more! Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’re implementing any of these changes in your own life!

Post from: EveryJoe

Green to Save Green Tips 11 – 15