Sustainability
Erin Martinez
10. Go green when expanding.
Consider low-impact materials and “precycling.” During its 2014 expansion in Westborough, CSG purchased 80 percent of the needed furniture refurbished. The rest came from inventory.
9. You’re not alone.
Using sustainable practices reduces costs, mitigates risk, and improves value while increasing sales. Engage employees to form a “Green Team” and encourage them to submit ideas.
8. Establish a purchasing policy.
Does your office supply vendor offer a preferred product list? Adjust it for “most sustainable” products. Research supply chain and life-cycle assessments of larger needs and computing services. Use a coffee service that recycles and composts waste.
7. Use virtual meeting tools.
Decrease business travel by hosting online webinars and meetings. Take advantage of videoconferencing.
6. Encourage recycling.
Workstation bins encourage people to recycle more. Use single-stream recycling and work with your vendor to set up electronics recycling events.
5. Go paperless.
Save electronic files rather than print copies. If you must print, use recycled paper with maximum post-consumer content. Set printers to default to print on both sides.
4. Use bottle-less coolers.
Bottle-less water coolers cost less and reduce the energy needed to make and deliver traditional bottles.
3. Vehicles matter.
If you lease fleet vehicles, make them fuel efficient. Offer EV charging stations, encourage carpools and allow employees to work remotely.
2. Work with your landlord.
Buildings matter: 40 percent of U.S. emissions originate here. Make your building as sustainable as possible. Consider rooftop solar. Controls such as occupancy sensors can help, too. Install bike racks and shower/locker facilities to encourage non‐vehicular commuting.
1. Go carbon neutral.
Track the emissions involved in your operations. It’s a big commitment, but an important one. Work with a reputable organization, such as The Climate Registry, for guidance.
Erin Martinez is safety and sustainability manager for Conservation Services Group (CSG), of Westborough. Contact her at Erin.Martinez@csgrp.com or visit www.csgrp.com.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments