The new eco-centric business model isn’t a fad to be canceled out by the next trend.  While the environmental implications of the green business are obvious, the fact that going green can actually save your small business serious money may not be as well known.  By turning your business green you may not only save some money, but you will also potentially boost your employee’s productivity, streamline your business model, improve office design, and reduce IT costs – which will only aid your efforts in company growth and expansion. The following are just a few tips to get you there.

Furniture/Design

Contrary to popular belief, going green in the office isn’t restricted to computer-based technologies.  While they’re certainly a large part of it, building a green office literally begins from the ground up.

Flooring:  Choosing a decidedly green flooring option like bamboo, linoleum, wool, or other FSC certified hardwood is a good place to start saving: the environment and your money.  Wool for example, is a great substitute for common synthetic carpet materials because it’s stain resistant and retains heat during the colder months, while wicking heat and moisture away during the hotter parts of the year.  This means big savings on both energy and maintenance costs.  So if you are designing your own office, or get to tell your leasing manager how you want your office to look, be sure to request green flooring to maximize savings.

Furniture: Plenty of local places offer green solutions for furniture.  Whether you be looking for New York or san diego office furniture, green furniture companies will work with you to get the best deals on ergonomic, cheap, environmentally sound cubicles and other green office goods that not only increase the comfort levels for your employees, but also offer cost-effective, and aesthetically superior green solutions for your work place.

You can also opt to purchase previously owned furniture. By purchasing previously used furniture from an office resale supply store, you will get great products at a lower price and will be adhering to green standards through minimization and reusing.

Cloud Computing

In order to understand exactly how cloud computing can help your business save money, it’s important to understand the basics of how it works.  A simplified definition of cloud computing is internet-centralized business software.

Instead of purchasing in-house technical products (computer software, devices, tangles of wires, etc.) companies will have a cloud provider furnish them with an Internet destination that acts as their software hub.  This hub can be accessed remotely by anyone in the company, from any computer or internet-connected device.  What does this mean for the environment, your business, and saving money?

Lowered IT costs/wastes:  Without fancy in-house software and equipment comes a drastic reduction in IT costs.  The fact that the cloud can be serviced remotely makes it much easier to maintain and keep running effectively.  It also usually includes upgrades, product enhancement, and support.  Right there you cut tremendous capital investment, as well as upgrade and software update costs.  You also eliminate much in the way of energy costs associated with tangible software products and wasteful paper goods.

Mobility, Risk:  The remote access afforded by cloud technology gives employers options for greater mobility.  Having employees work remotely saves a business money on office space and even more so on salary costs because employers don’t have to factor in transportation costs into paychecks to make a commute worth it to their employees.

Working from a remote platform also reduces the risk of security breaches as these internet-based technologies are laden with encryption software and other measures that fortify your business’ intel.  It’s also a vastly smaller monetary risk one takes with cloud technology as services can simply be canceled, as opposed to being stuck with purchased in-house goods and software that often becomes quickly outdated and needs repairs.

Lighting

Another often-undiagnosed cost to small businesses comes in the very light under which they operate.  No longer are we resigned to the ancient, inefficient Edison-designed bulbs of the past.  With the advent of LED technology, companies can save huge amounts of energy by making a simple switch.  LED use is growing rapidly and offers numerous benefits for small business owners out there.

LED Facts:  LEDs use 50-80% less power, cutting annual energy/electricity costs drastically.  A standard CFL usually lasts around 6–8 thousand hours, or, less than 1 year.  A similar LED version can last up to 50-80 thousand hours – that’s almost 10 years if it’s left on 24/7 – meaning serious savings in new light purchases and maintenance costs over time.  Users also get increased tax benefits for switching to LED lights.

At this point, it would be hard to denounce the many benefits associated with green business options.  And as the market for these products continues to grow and expand, you can certainly look for higher energy and monetary savings in the way of green technologies in the near future.  By keeping your eyes open for the latest green office ideas, you ensure not only a healthier environment for all of us, but also a smoother, more cost-effective business for you and your employees.

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Going Green to Save Green: 3 Money-Saving Office Solutions

You have decided to make a big work decision and go green. That means you have taken the time to turn your office into an office that tries it’s hardest not to harm the earth. You know it’s a great decision but you may have a hard time convincing your employees otherwise. You may run into employee’s that find it a hassle, simply because they don’t understand. So here are several ways you can get your employee’s to go green with you:

Supply them: To help your employee’s get on to the eco-friendly band wagon, supply them with the tools to get there. There are plenty of eco- friendly office supplies sites that you can use, like pens, paper, toner, ink and other things. Most of the time, people have a hard time spending the extra penny on something eco-friendly, so look into buy coffee mugs and water tumblers so they aren’t using paper cups and what not.

Incentives: Just like when your company hit’s a team goal or does something well, you reward them. Host mini-contests that lean on the green side, the employee to use the least amount of paper, or that recycles the most while at work gets a small prize. (And don’t forget to give them an eco-friendly prize!)

Keep positive: Be careful not to harp on your employee’s, you don’t want to annoy them with your constant pestering. Keep it light hearted and fun. The more you make it an exciting and fun thing, the less they will resist. Make sure that you do not force your personal reasons on going green on them.

Educate: Teach your employees why you and your company have chosen the path you have. Leaving literature for them to read in the work/break room is a good start. Don’t be afraid to hold a small meeting on your decision. As stated before you do not want to bombard them with your personal views and what not, so focus on why it is beneficial within in the company and avoid talking about why ’you’ have chosen to be eco-friendly. Posters, brochures, occasional, email links and blogs will also educate your employees. The more they know, the more your employees will understand and want to be more green conscious.

Once your employees understand why eco-friendly is the best way to go, they most likely will jump on board. Remember to make it fun and don’t force your green ways on them. Good luck and have fun being an eco-friendly office!

This Guest post is by Christine Kane from internet service providers, she is a graduate of Communication and Journalism. She enjoys writing about a wide-variety of subjects for different blogs. She can be reached via email at: Christi.Kane00 @ gmail.com.

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How to get your Employee’s to be Eco-Friendly

Do you strive for a green lifestyle? It can sometimes be a struggle to keep with the latest green trends as you live your busy life. However, you might be surprised to learn how changing small facets of your everyday life can add up to big changes for preserving the planet.

Making Your House a Green House

Thinking about ways to save the planet can sure keep you up at night. But what if the answer to going green was literally right under your pillow the whole time? It turns out that the furniture you pick for your bedroom can make a big impact.

The synthetic plastics and chemicals that go into the making of some bedroom furniture can have detrimental effects on the environment. In addition, certain paints and dyes used to add colour to furniture are also potentially toxic to
the environment. When you decorate your bedroom with sustainable green furniture, you are not only creating a healthier planet, but also a healthier home environment for you and your family.

If you are committed to decorating your home in a way that is green friendly while still beautiful, you may want to consider wooden beds. Wooden beds made of sustainable materials are a wonderful alternative to today’s highly
manufactured and processed toss away furniture. Not only are they good for the environment, but wooden beds are high quality, durable and will last a lifetime. This means a winning situation for you and for the environment.

Be a Gem to the Planet

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but a woman who wears eco-friendly jewelery is truly the planet’s best friend. Simply by purchasing handmade jewelery by local artisans, you can cut down on the pollution and toxicity
that is created by the fabrication of much of the retail world’s costume jewelery. Some shops have begun selling jewelery made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. The market for green, eco-friendly jewelery has truly
blossomed in recent years. With such beautiful craftsmanship and artistry in such a wide scope of styles, you will never have to sacrifice style for sustainability when selecting from the amazing jewelery pieces for sale. For gift
giving, there is no better gift than giving a friend or loved one a stunning piece of jewelery that you can proudly tell them does not harm the environment.

Take a Stand for the Environment

Instead of standing around wondering how to go green, why not stand around in a lovely pair of eco-friendly shoes? That’s right, you can outfit your feet in shoes that are good for the earth. In recent years, the demand for stylish and
affordable shoes that are manufactured with natural, non-animal ingredients has rocketed. Fashion lines have responded with footwear lines featuring vegan shoes. These ethically manufactured shoes come in all the styles you
love of traditionally designed shoes. From sneakers to work attire to fun sandals, eco-friendly styles have your feet covered. If you want to start living a green life, vegan shoes are a step in the right direction.

Small changes today can have a big impact on tomorrow. By implementing small, but often overlooked, changes like the ones mentioned above you are on your way to a greener life.

My name is Patrick and I’m guest blogging about how to live a greener life for Warren Evans a retailer of ethically sourced, hand built beds

Post from: Eco-Office Gals

A Green Life is a Good Life

As most businesses begin looking to green solutions for sound business/environmental practices, as well as added savings, they often neglect to consider the very ground they walk on.  More often, we think of green solutions as they pertain to computing technologies and other similar technical advances like office automation and paperless transaction.  But by taking into consideration even the most basic elements of office design, one can drastically cut costs and build a greener business, literally from the floor up.

The following is a list of the top 3 most eco-friendly flooring options that you might consider for your business space.

Wool Carpeting

Wool isn’t just good for keeping you warm; it’s also a great option for your floors if you prefer carpeting.  Durable, soft, fire-retardant, and great for heat, humidity, and temperature absorption, wool is a great option for a number of reasons.  In the warmer months, wool floors will help keep the office cooler by wicking away humid moisture and repelling heat.  Conversely, in the cooler months, it will retain heat and keep the office warmer.

As it’s recyclable, stain resistant, and very renewable, wool becomes a great eco-friendly option for those in need of office carpeting.  Companies like Prosource Carpet offer great wool carpeting products as well as other green carpeting options for your consideration.

Bamboo

Not only is bamboo a beautiful choice for flooring, it’s also very easy to install and highly sustainable as it grows in abundance in the U.S. and abroad.  Cured bamboo, as is used in most flooring operations, is very resilient and is available in a large variety of styles and textures.  Bamboo flooring is becoming hugely popular for these reasons, and is both a great visual and environmentally sustainable way to dress your office.  Also, bamboo is a great choice for those suffering from asthma and allergies, which could be a great benefit for some of your employees.

Linoleum

Linoleum flooring, despite what many think, is actually made from renewable materials often including limestone, pine rosins, wood flour, and linseed oil, among others.  If you’ve ever seen or owned any linoleum floors, which you likely have, then you already know how durable and easy to maintain it is.  Another big perk for existing businesses especially is the fact that linoleum flooring is offered in just about any color conceivable, making it an easy match for any existing office décor.

While going green certainly doesn’t end with the physical designs and building materials for your business, it does make a great starting point, and can help guide you down a greener, more sustainable path in the future.  Choosing the right flooring for your business needs can be both a painless and beneficial process for all involved.  As far as your style and the environment are concerned, it should be a win-win for both.

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Eco-Friendly Flooring: Top 3 Green Options for Your Business Space

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The Virtual Office: Can Your Business Go Any Greener?

I’ve had the opportunity to try several Shaklee products in the past. I’ve enjoyed cleaning with Basic H, a super concentrated cleaner which can be made into all-purpose, glass or degreaser based on the number of drops you add to good old water. I love their laundry line as well.

About Shaklee:

Our mission at Shaklee is to provide a healthier life for everyone and a better life for anyone. We do it by making natural products that are so exceptional, you just have to tell your friends. Every product that goes into every Shaklee bottle is designed to improve health, work without compromise, and be gentle on the planet. That’s the short answer.

Since I had done the round with the cleaning line and was very pleased I was more then happy to do another when I was approached. Since I’m getting up there in age, I’m trying to pay a little more attention to my skin these days. So this was a great opportunity to try some face remedies.

Enfuselle® Time Repair A.M.® SPF 15 -  A five-in-one wrinkle treatment that meets all your skin’s daytime needs for renewal, brightening, moisturization, nourishment, and protection. Your skin becomes measurably brighter, clearer, and smoother. Paraben Free.

I really like this lotion, it’s not heavy. Doesn’t stink with any heavy perfumes and a little goes a long way.

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Eco-Options: Shaklee

There are a range of methods which can be employed to make your workplace more environmentally sound. Though they may be harder to implement, due to the requisite approval from your employer(s), they are definitely worth being mindful of; this article outlines a few ways in which improvements can be made.

Minimize the amount of paper used
A nice starting point; this can be achieved in many ways. Perhaps one of the most obvious is to print fewer documents; with the advent of email this is now easier than ever, and a quick internal email can replace the old fashioned memo, and save a sheet of paper in the process. The same can be achieved with presentation hand-outs, receipts for payments, and many other documents used in the workplace.

If a document must be printed, ensure that double-sided printing is used, as this will halve the amount of required paper. Not only does this save you money, it also reduces the impact of your business’ printing on the environment. Unfortunately some older printers do not offer this function, which brings us to the next point.

Recycle!
This is so easy, yet so effective. Dividing the rubbish bin into two separate bins, one for trash and one for recyclables, allows you and your colleagues to do your bit for the environment with minimal thought and effort. The simple act of separating recyclables and non-recyclables means that cans, bottles, paper and cardboard will be recycled into other products rather than being incinerated or put into landfill.

Out with the old, in with the new!
Though the initial expense may be off-putting, replacing old IT equipment with newer versions can reduce your carbon footprint, and may lower future costs through reducing the need for maintenance. Modernizing computers and printers, for example, is likely to reduce electricity bills and will optimize the efficiency of your office operations (new machines are faster, and may feature settings that were not present in, their ancestors).

• Equipment you may consider replacing includes:

• CRT monitors: replace with LCD monitors (lower power consumption)

• Printers: replace with newer models (more efficient with toner consumption, offer double-sided printing)

• Lights: old bulbs can be replaced with energy saving bulbs (the clue is in the name!)

What to do with the old equipment?
Replacing old equipment is all well and good, but it does lumber you with a large amount of redundant equipment to dispose of. In this day and age, simply throwing old computers in the bin won’t cut it. This is not only because of the environmental impact of doing so; if the thrown out computers are found, important files left on them may be accessed by individuals outside of your business.

In terms of the environmental aspect, the chemicals and toxins found in old electronics can contaminate the area in which they are disposed, and cause lasting effects to the surrounding ecosystems. WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling can help you to dispose of unwanted equipment while protecting the environment and your data. WEEE recycling may be an option worthy of considering for disposing of your business’ electronics.

Author Bio: Chris Lee is studying for a BA in Music, and also enjoys blogging on a range of topics including cooking, being a student, and IT. This post was written on behalf of Equanet; providers of WEEE recycling options.

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How to Make Your Workplace Greener

Businesses these days are flocking to green options and to cloud services. Fortunately, the two are interconnected and, in many cases, complement one another perfectly. Innovative, progressive companies will look at a variety of ways to please their personnel and scale up their information infrastructure—be it investing in comfortable chairs for back pain or doubling down on new software. One of the best ways for a company to show its employees that it is committed to curbing carbon emissions and e-waste is to embrace cloud computing services in the office. Here are a few of the reasons why cloud services are eco-friendly:

Cut down on e-waste. Each year 20-50 million tons of electronic waste are dumped into developing nations, polluting their water sources and air. Many companies have committed to reducing their e-waste and a great way to do this is by eliminating the need for its sources, namely office electronic appliances such as mobile phones, computer circuits, printers, etc. While you may not be able to completely liquidate your office gear in exchange for cloud services, you can reduce it a great deal and significantly cut down on the lead, cadmium, beryllium, and BFRs (brominated flame retardants) that have to be disposed of. The use of cloud services should considerably cut down on your business’s annual e-waste.

Many cloud services use a pay-as-you-go model. This allows flexibility among your IT department, as you can pick and choose the applications and platforms you need. In other words, you don’t have to purchase an entire package of unneeded gadgets and circuits just to get the one you do need. Speaking of IT, you will likely be able to reduce your workforce, as many technical administration duties can be handled by cloud programs.

Cloud services cuts down on carbon emissions. Because real time communications, web conferencing, chatting, and synced mobile phones can eliminate the need for expensive business trips and unnecessary commuting, the cloud will reduce your carbon footprint as well.

The cloud saves paper. Sync your files online and collaborate in real-time. You won’t need to print the same document twenty times for slightly new versions, nor will you need to use barrels of ink simply to distribute a single office memo.

These are some of the environmental reasons to go with the cloud in your office. There are also practical issues of efficiency and performance. Ultimately, you want to balance your bottom line with your duty to run a sustainable eco-friendly business. Adopting cloud services is a great first step.

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Why the Cloud is Green

If you’re looking to start a service-based business and have a mind for both energy efficiency and eco-friendliness, then near the top of your list of priorities should be securing green office space. While we’re mostly familiar with the dead giveaways when it comes to evaluating the greenness of a particular space, there are subtle indicators of a property’s green status relative to other options. If you aren’t sure what to look for when scouting for green office space, use the following as a guide:

Windows that open: A common feature of modern office environments has been the complete sealing of windows in order to better control the internal climate. But the downside to this has been the complete reliance on heating and cooling for maintaining a desirable office temperature. To avoid such a dependence, stick to office spaces that include windows that can be opened. That way you can take advantage of fresh air as much as possible.

Close proximity to public transit: For the sake of reducing the amount of fuel you and your workers will burn through for your business to exist, opt for office space near bus lines or other forms of mass transit. Go the extra mile by encouraging your workers to use these means of transportation by providing them with monthly passes.

Natural sources of light: In addition to windows that can be opened, look for windows that get a strong exposure – mainly those that face east and west. This reduces your dependence on artificial light, which will lower energy costs as well the size of your company’s carbon footprint.

Shower facilities: It may sound a little silly, but on-site showers are critical in the promotion of a green corporate culture in that they encourage employees to ride bicycles into work. If they know they won’t have to sit at their desk drenched in sweat for the first five hours, your workers are certain to choose cycling instead of driving whenever possible.

Solar paneling: This is the one feature everyone looks for when scouting for green office locales. While not the end-all-be-all of what constitutes an environmentally sound office, solar panels are important and should certainly be something you look for in your potential office space. With that said, do the math before embracing extra rent on account of an office being solar powered. It’s good for Mother Nature in any case, but it may not always be optimum for your wallet.

A green (or white) roof: This one is a bit fun to do since it requires some spying via Google Maps. When you get the address of a potential spot, plug it into Google Maps and zoom in to get a glimpse as to whether or not green roofing materials were used. A “green” roof, while most commonly appearing white, is one of the easiest ways to reduce energy usage in a large complex. If the owners of an office building haven’t taken this step, you can safely say it isn’t the location that’s right for you.

When looking for green office space to place your new company, don’t just settle on whatever a realtor wants to tell you or give into charming copy. Go to these locations and see for yourself whether or not they’re “up to code” as far as going green is concerned. That way you can be assured that your efforts to create an eco-friendly business are not in vain.

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Six Things to Look for When Scouting for Green Office Space

Most of us make an effort to be eco-friendly at home—recycling, not wasting water, and getting rid of toxic cleaners are all pretty well known ways to go green. But what you might not have considered is that there are opportunities to be just as eco-friendly at work as you are at home.

Fortunately, there are lots of ways to make businesses more eco-friendly. Take these tips back to work with you and implement them in your office to help make a lighter impact on our environment!

1. Go Digital – Printing wastes paper, so try to do so as little as possible. Send documents via email instead of using hard copies—there are even programs that let you sign documents online so you don’t have to print them out.

2. Recycle Old Carpet and Flooring – If you or your company are planning on remodeling your office, consider participating in the Carpet America Recovery Effort (C.A.R.E.). C.A.R.E. aims to reduce landfill waste by providing recycling and reuse options for removed carpet and padding. Every 10 million pounds of recycled carpet saves 50,000 yards of landfill space, which helps to
decrease dangerous toxic emissions.

Empire Today is one of multiple retailers that offer to recycle old carpet and flooring after new installations, making it easy for your business to contribute to a cleaner environment while enjoying fresh new flooring.

3. Choose Green Products – Another environmentally friendly remodeling option is to choose sustainable materials for new floors and windows. Empire Flooring offers natural, eco-friendly floor materials like bamboo and cork. Both bamboo and cork are renewable and recyclable, and no trees are harmed in manufacturing cork. Empire Today also provides energy efficient window treatments that reduce harmful UV rays and ensure healthy air quality.

4. Unplug Everything – You stop using the things in your office as soon as you leave for the day, so why should they stay plugged in all night? Before you go home, shut down computers, unplug printers, and turn off lights to save energy. Using one power strip for multiple appliances makes it even easier to unplug at the end of the day.

5. Get a Plant – Putting a plant in the office increases air circulation, decreases air toxins, and helps reduce eye irritation from staring at a computer screen for hours at a time. Plus, it can make your office feel a little more like home!

Just because you don’t live in your office (hopefully!) doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look for the same opportunities to go green as you do at home. Making environmentally conscious business decisions, especially with big projects like remodeling, can have huge impacts on clearing out landfills and creating a greener, cleaner world.

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Eco-Friendly Flooring Options for the Office