We pondered this question and challenged ourselves to find solutions to help our practice deal with the everyday issues of pollution and waste that come from a typical days’ work.

First we tackled the issue of dental amalgam waste and safe mercury disposal by installing an amalgam separator. By doing this we’ve removed 99% of the mercury from our waste stream from dental vacuum lines—stopping this heavy metal from entering the watershed. Then we addressed the problem of wasted energy by installing high efficiency lighting and cooling fans that circulate air, reducing the need for air conditioning. We’ve also introduced a recycling program for paper products and lead foil waste from X-rays. Finally, the computerization of our front desk enables electronic transfer of information and reduces our carbon footprint for each letter that does not have to be sent by mail or courier.

For a single office such as ours, perhaps the changes we made are insignificant compared to thing we can do to make positive changes for the environment, but if we all take the necessary small steps to think locally and act globally — we can make a world of difference and save the earth for generations!

Ed, Ontario
June, 2008

In places where (before) one light switch controlled the lighting for multiple offices – we installed separate switches per office and I am encouraging staff to take the stairs.

Instead of individual paper packages of sugar, I purchased glass sugar containers and fill them up from a single bag of sugar to save on packaging.

We also switched from plastic to wood stir sticks and to more efficient fluorescent tubes!

Michael, British Columbia
May, 2008

lose weight.

By doing this – not only did I save money – but I didn't buy lunches that would increase the garbage brought back to the office that would be thrown out or recycled.

I bring my lunches in plastic containers (everyone knows where my section of the fridge is!) so there is no excess waste.

Lately I've noticed the fridge has been getting a little fuller as others seem to be doing the same. We are all eating healthier now and have line-ups for the microwave at times.

I can't say for sure that I am the cause of this, but it seems to be that way.

Hilda, Ontario
May, 2008

you have to bring Louise the old one for recycling. If you want a toner cartridge, better send the old one back to the company for recycling. Old documents? Put them in the shredding box. They'll be destroyed (privacy is another priority!) and recycled, and the shredding service plants trees in proportion to their recycled materials. Refillable pens? Check. Recycled paper products? Check. We laminate signs we'll use more than once so they're durable and don't have to replaced as often. We double-side our forms when we copy them. We even reuse the trays when we pick up our coffee! There's always room for improvement, but none of this was happening before I took over this office. I didn't set out to be a Green Hero (I just want to set a good example for my one-year-old daughter). This weekend we'll be attending our city's Earth Day celebration for the first time where I bet I'll pick up some more great tips for greening my office!

Louise, Ontario
May, 2008

We didn’t have a recycling program so every piece of paper discarded went directly to the garbage can. It’s just paper right? No vending machine on site, yet empty pop cans cluttered desks. No worries we thought, the garbage is just a hand toss away.

As dirty coffee cups piled up, we just ran the dishwasher. Your favourite mug will be shiny and new for tomorrow! 

Sound familiar? It took some effort to change our habits but we invested in a shredder, and now our discarded paper is shredded routinely and tied up nicely. Even the CEO is involved; hauling the bags out on garbage day to ensure it gets picked up. And those pop cans get taken by an employee to the bottle depot.

Re-use has become part of our mandate. Old office supplies are re-used internally till they get shabby. No more running the dishwasher every night. Two or more people going to the same meeting travel in one car now. We even keep the lights off when there’s plenty of sunlight. These may be small steps but they’re our first steps in being more conscious of the environment – and every small step for man is a huge step for mankind!!

Desiree, Alberta
May, 2008

waste/energy and become more “green.”

1. Our outside lights consist of mini fluorescents on a timer.
2. Inside light fixtures have been upgraded with the T8 ballasts and are turned off at the close of the business day.
3. When copies require more than one page, both sides of the paper are used.
4. All used paper is shredded for recycling. The blank parts of the page are cut and used for scrap paper and all envelopes/circulars, etc. are shredded so no incoming paper goes to the landfill in its original form.
5. We use ceramic cups for coffee.
6. All plastics that come into the building have a separate bin for recycling.
7. All paper towels in our washrooms are made of recycled paper.
8. Thermostats are turned down each night and a/c is used sparingly, as windows can be opened. Blinds on the South side windows let the sunshine in during winter and keep it out in summer.

Judy, Manitoba
May, 2008

"monitor police." It is only a small energy saving action but every bit of savings helps.

Our office used to just recycled paper products, but now we recycle cans, plastics and more things that previously went into the garbage. Now our staff is more aware and of the environment!

Mary, British Columbia
May, 2008

it takes time, I separate out all of the recyclable materials for garbage pick up. We use all plastic bags as fillers for our target butts so that they get used over and over again before they are recycled and we buy in bulk to avoid excess packaging. We also complain to suppliers and manufacturers who use too much packaging and have converted our semi-annual paper flyer to an electronic format.

Kathleen, Ontario
May, 2008

I decided to change some of our paperwork rules in order to save a pack of paper every three months! I also started to keep office memos and updates online rather than producing paper drafts and copies for the 25 people that work here.
Now our clinic director would like to make our office "green," and the director has asked me to research how to shrink our environmental impact and our carbon footprint.

It's exciting.

Ashley, British Columbia
May, 2008

report we no longer required. It used up reams of expensive paper every morning but no one knew how to stop the report after a recent reorganization. I kept trying and eventually found someone who could turn of the auto print of the batch job. I have saved at least 30 boxes of paper since then. My boss was happy and so am I.

Sherry, British Columbia
May, 2008

I have decided to start going paperless and to really clean out my desk and office. I recycle paperclips (my favourite office supply!) Lights go out when I leave the office and the computer gets powered down. Of course, all paper is recycled. Many of us here have started using reusable lunch bags and travel mugs.

Maureen, Saskatchewan
May, 2008

printing out many things and then recycling the paper after it had been read. After realizing this I told everyone I wanted as many documents passed on by e-mail as possible. If someone printed something out I ask the paper be saved and cut into scratch pads for phone messages.

Joyce, Ontario
May, 2008

We always recycle paper and NEVER use Styrofoam!

Deborah, British Columbia
June, 2008

This is a work in progress, as starting off the company I work for had done nothing on the “green” front until I made it my goal to turn my non–recycling workplace into a more environmentally friendly one. After doing some research in pricing I wrote a proposal on facts and pricing for CFL lighting, earth friendly office and cleaning supplies. We bought dollar store mugs and got plants to clean the air.

I also plan to have a formal meeting or send out a company–wide e-mail outlining the changes to help promote the earth friendly idea. My goal is that by the end of June our company will be the best it can be environmentally. I believe changes are something everyone should be doing in the office AND at home. After all, this is our future, and if we don’t do something now one day it will be too late.

Alison, Ontario
June, 2008

Everyday I see something I can change (big or small). As I walk through the halls in our building I turn off the lights in empty rooms. My highest lights–out count 42 switches in one day! I turn my monitor off at night, since we can't shut the machines off completely. There are posters I’ve made hanging around my workspace, so passersby learn about green products, and other environmentally friendly options. These are only a few of the things I modeled because I believe leading by example is the best way to change behaviours.

Sue, Alberta
June, 2008

(First off, I would like to take a moment to commend Grand & Toy for its GREENOFFICE initiative.)

brand and reputation monitoring. We help companies safeguard their images and reputations by monitoring online developments and conversations that could make or break their brands.

One trend we have been following with great interest is the environmental cause. Although our client assignments usually involve monitoring more extreme elements of the environmental movement – we have seen a significant level of volatility in the business world, and much discussion on what we call "eco-topics."

The "eco-graph" is a term we use to describe the mapping of all online discussions where businesses (and their people, campaigns, products or services) are being mentioned. This term also includes the places where web audiences are making decisions about whether they are friend or foe of the environment. With the help of our services we are enabling the business community to be diligent about their green strategies, and helping them stay ahead of the curve when it comes to devising eco-smart imperatives that will give them staying power.

Although it may not be considered heroic – this is a small and effective way of persuading our clients into being more eco-conscious. We also help inspire other businesses around our clients to do the same. We achieve this by making them understand that moving towards an environmentally sustainable future will improve a businesses workforce culture, their relationships with other businesses and the overall public perception of their work.

JOseph, Ontario
May, 2008

It’s rather difficult to feel green in an environment where attacks against the biofuel industry are an everyday event.

Once supported by environmental activists, seen as a sustainable solution and a viable alternative to oil, now needs to justify its very existence.

The day facts become public knowledge, ethanol, once again, will be considered green.

In the meantime, several measures were taken to ensure that we could proudly call ourselves GREENfield. First of all, we recycle paper and cardboard.  Then we recover batteries, ink cartridges and light bulbs. We also collect soda cans and plastic bottles and give them to a non-profit organizations. We have stopped using Styrofoam cups for coffee by making washable cups available to everyone. We even replaced with pasta the small plastic sticks used to stir coffee.  In addition, we intend to replace small milk and cream cups with bigger containers.

Several employees take the subway to come to work, all of us have become vegans, the clothes we buy are made of organic cotton and we buy them from a fair trade shop. The same goes for coffee.  We have bought E-85 vehicles for everyone, we eat local produce and we shower only twice a week.

Seriously…
“Responsible consumer behaviour is one way of using our purchasing power to play a positive role in our society, in the environment and in the world in general.”

Let’s each of us do our share.

Emmanuelle, Quebec
June, 2008

So we’ve taken action by starting a “Green Team,” in house initiative.
Our Mission is to instigate, effect and maintain green practices and thinking around the office, amongst staff, and to clients and suppliers.

Everyone wants to be green. But there’s a big difference between saying it and being it. Here’s a bit on what we're doing:

Recycle everything, refusing junk mail and asking for only one copy of publications. Printing on FSC or 100% post-consumer recycled paper, drinking fair-trade, shade-grown coffee. We use real dishes and cutlery, organic cotton tea-towels and dish cloths, buy local products, avoid air travel when possible (or off-set our emissions) and purchase green gifts for clients. Last but not least: we e-mail a ‘Green Tip’ to staff every Monday.

Jolene, Manitoba
June, 2008

We try to manage our paper usage by monitoring the number of pages we print each month. Our copier is stuffed with the 100% recyclable paper that we order from Grand & Toy (we are so pleased we have found a company that supplies such a product).

Our Greener office uses the TUL low odour markers and we try our best to use our whiteboards as much as possible to avoid wasting scrap paper. The scrap paper that we do use is the stuff in our recycling bins waiting to be taken away.

In the kitchen, we use dishes (which we wash all at once to reduce water waste) and have a ‘Green Tax Jar’ you pay $1 to if you use a disposable item. I'm proud to report that in one year, we have only raised $20! This means we aren't using much garbage.

We even have bins that are converted into a worm compost for our lunch waste. This is a fun way for staff to see how shredded paper and food products can be returned to the earth in the form of soil!  Of course we recycle all paper, plastic and tins.

I cannot take credit alone, as our office works as a team, and we would absolutely love a copy of the Planet Earth DVD set. We are all GREENOFFICE Heroes!

Susan, Saskatchewan
May, 2008

food, consuming energy, and office products. We are thoughtful about our environmental footprint, and we understand the social/political/environmental intersections of these decisions. No environmental issue exists in isolation and we are all part of the environment.

When buying office supplies, we make sure we buy only what we need and we buy products that are either reusable, made from recycled products (post-consumer as much as possible), or recyclable. We try to purchase things with minimal packaging that have been transported the shortest distances. Additionally, we conserve electricity by shutting off equipment we are not using, and we use natural lighting during the day. Most of our staff does not use cars, and we prefer walking, biking and public transportation to driving. We are presently looking into Vermaculture (composting) in our office. Lastly, when purchasing food we try to buy local and/or organic foods.

Sarah
May, 2008

reduce our carbon footprint. All of our used office and classroom paper products are placed in blue recycling containers for pick-up once a week. We have a recycling bin in the lunchroom for drink containers and in the staff room we collect all recyclable containers and a staff member adds them to her home pick-up bin.

Only full loads are put through the staff room dishwasher. I use vinegar to clean the photocopier glass and to clean the staff microwave. The staff all use glass mugs and travel mugs for beverages. Old computers are disposed of for us through the Vancouver School Board electronics recycling program. We send all of our depleted toner cartridges back to Grand & Toy for proper disposal. All staff members double side their copies whenever appropriate. In an effort to conserve heat, after school all the window curtains are drawn. Our lights are turned off in room’s not in use and we have ‘turn off lights’ reminders posted by all light switches. I enjoy my daily walk to work and I am adamantly aggressive in having our school removed from as many fax advertising lists and mailing lists as possible. I am also persistent in telling companies of names that should be removed from mailings and insist on being sent only one copy of any of their catalogues.

Sharon, British Columbia
May, 2008

lunch in our fridge. It was then that I noticed something – our fridge was ancient! It was a loud appliance (probably from before the 1980's). I thought to myself:  why don't they buy a new energy efficient fridge?  But as the work piled on I quickly lost thoughts about the fridge. Lunch time was the same as always; eat, put away the dishes. Then I realized our dishwasher was the same as the fridge as it was also ancient, loud and energy sucking.

I talked to some of my co-workers and suggested we do something about our fridge and dishwasher. We worked together to purchase a brand new energy efficient fridge and dishwasher. Then someone suggest we change the lights and have an energy efficient office to take a stand for our environment. We realized we were using pre-owned furniture which was a step in the right direction, but why not make a few more changes?  We all started to recycle and reuse binders, tabs, labels, wrapping paper, envelopes, boxes (and why not use both sides of the paper?)  We brought in a big recycle bin and smaller bins for each person to encourage the office to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE. This is how I believe we all banned together to make our office green!!!

Lindsay, Manitoba
May, 2008

with their disregard for the environment and employees. Surely (I thought) corporations could be run in a profitable manner without abusing the environment!  So I started LAR Studios, Inc., a creative studio and Adobe authorized training center about two years ago. The media development side of the studio produces web and multimedia projects. The training center focuses on providing customized training to meet the needs of the students, their schedules, and their goals and dreams (we are very people and community oriented). We are committed to being a good neighbor here in Toronto and a good employer. If we have empty seats in a class, we offer it to high school interns for free. Part of our commitment to our community is going as green as possible. We've switched to 100% recycled paper and make a point of keeping paper in our "print on the other side" basket so that nothing is wasted. We're moving away from paper cups and providing ceramic mugs instead. We’re replacing our old light bulbs, turning off the computers when not in use too. We recycle everything we can. Starting in July of 2008, the studio will purchase carbon offset credits to cover the commute our clients make to the studio. We are also looking into the option of discounting our class prices for those who use public transit to come to the studio. We're a small business, but even we can make a difference!

Laura, Ontario
May, 2008

We have a monthly newsletter sent out to over 200 clients, offering them a report on how to "Go Green" go to www.ctoshawa.com  to get a copy. The report focuses on real things businesses can do to save resources and also save money at the same time.

The reaction to the newsletter has been very positive and a number of clients have started to adopt some practices outlined in the report. By influencing others to adopt "green" practices, the exponential rate of adoption is compounded.

We have a strict recycle and re-use policy in our own office, and since initiating a rule of minimizing wastage, we have not only saved money but have reduced our actual amount of garbage by 50%, resulting in a need for only one garbage collection per two-week cycle instead of weekly as was done before!

Robert, Ontario
May, 2008

to be the first multi residential building in Canada to be LEED Certified.
There is a strict guideline to follow to get this certification and we are on board!

1. We have installed Baxi Luna Boliers in every suite that provides fuel savings on utilities of 53% (reduction on water and fuel)
2. The irrigation is recycled water used to water the landscaping.
3. The carpet, glues, sealants and paint contain low Volatile Organic Compounds which means less risk/adverse effects on respiratory systems.
4. A pedway leads right to the local train system reducing the need to use a vehicle.
5. All office paper is recycled as well as consumables.

Gina, Alberta
May, 2008

From misprints to printing an unnecessary line on the next page, it can all add up to be a huge waste.

I've worked hard to inform my co-workers on how to reduce our paper consumption. I've taught them how to print double-sided for large documents or to cut up pages for scrap paper. It's something we are becoming more conscious of. Considering all this, we’ve been saving a lot of paper; hopefully helping us save our environment one sheet at a time!

Amelia, Alberta
June, 2008

Although our firm has been recycling paper for a number of years, this spring we received a certificate of congratulations for recycling 20 tonnes of paper in one year! I was embarrassed we used so much paper (recycled or not) and decided it would be best if we reused the paper before adding them to the recycling bin. Now all our internal communication is printed on this scrap paper, and some documents are cut up and bound to make scratch pads!

Since I chose which office products we use here, I've decided to go as green as I can. Some daily rules that have become routine are: Shutting down computers at the end of the day, cups are hand washed using biodegradeable soap, and the lights are turned off when it's sunny outside. We also collect leftover drinking water from board meetings to water the plants and new business cards and letterhead will be printed on recycled paper (100% post-consumer waste of course) using vegetable inks. What’s most exciting is that we are using the balcony to grow vegetables for those who don't have the space at home. It's beginning to look a lot brighter in our office!

Susan British Columbia, Ontario
June, 2008

(which every one in the office is now using), is reducing the use of the printer and paper!
It is simple but it helps.

Rami
Print only what you need.

Yoram, Ontario
May, 2008

customer interaction software to use completely online mailings of PDF documents instead of using stamps, envelopes and paper to print things. We also re-use our shredded paper as packing material. Because of our new initiatives, we've reduced paper consumption from about 15 reams a year down to 1 ream.

Matt, Ontario
May, 2008

everyone we have to recycle the majority of everything we use. Ninety per cent of the items in our office can be recycled (people just have to use their imaginations). I can't stress it enough to people that we have to make this contribution to the welfare of Mother Earth. I remind myself as well. When I see paper products in the trash I take them out and put them in the recycling bins we have throughout the office. We have an environmental week at our work, and recycling is a huge part of this week. I always bring my lunch in reusable containers in order to reduce the amount of trash as well.
This may not be much but it does make a difference.

When ordering paper products for our office (like file folders and paper) I now chose recycled products. It just makes sense to do this.

Lynn, Ontario
May, 2008

I am in charge of office supply purchasing, which includes buying coffee supplies.

I have reinvented the coffee stirrer! Instead of using plastic or wood sticks, I use pasta, specifically linguines, that I cut in half. It’s environmentally responsible because pasta is biodegradable and additionally it’s very cost-effective!

My colleagues have nicknamed me “Miss Green Peace”!

Pascale, Quebec
June, 2008

we set up a Swap and Shop website to post goods for sale or to give away. We also put numerous recycle bins in our staff room for plastics, tin and cardboard.

Casey, British Columbia
May, 2008