When shopping for computers and networking equipment, choose "Greener" options. Look for the products that use lower energy, lower waste, fewer chemicals and less overall packing material.
Use less energy by optimizing the energy settings for your computers and other devices. Set computers to energy-saving settings and shut them down in the evening. ”Stand-by” settings continue to draw power even when they are not used.
Buy power strips with an on/off switch, so your entire desktop can be turned off at once.
Buy recycled paper that has a high percentage of post-consumer content and minimal chlorine bleaching. Extend this not only to the printing paper but also to all cleaning and lavatory supplies.
Turn off lights when in areas that are not occupied or when you leave at night. Install motion sensors in conference rooms. Use Energy Star rated light bulbs and fixtures. When your traditional light bulb goes out, replace it with a much more energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb.
Install thermostats that automatically reduce the temperature when you are not in the office and over the week-end. For non-automatic thermostats, manually turn down the temperature.
Work electronically as much as possible. Keep your files on your computer instead of in file cabinets. Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. Distribute employee manuals and other materials online.
Position desks and workstations to make best use of natural lighting.
Provide filtered drinking water instead of bottled water to reduce bottled-water waste.
Add plants to your office - they absorb indoor pollution.
Give reusable items, such as mugs, to customers and prospects. If employees buy 3 cups of coffee every workday for one year that equates to over 600 coffee cups that would have ended up in the trash.