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It’s Earth Day! Celebrate by Going Green

Posted by on Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Earth Day is the perfect time to take a look at how you conduct business and determine how you can makes changes that help create a greener office and contribute to a sustainable future.

Earth Day 2013

Image source: Wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu

Today is Earth Day. It is a reminder that we have to do all we can at home and at work to protect our natural resources. Start today to make a change in your business processes to go greener.

The Earth Day Network works all year round with over 22,000 organizations and partners in 192 countries to raise awareness of climate change devastation and promote new  public policy to improve our relationship with the earth.

 

Today is meant to focus on the environment and take a closer look at what we can do to in our personal and business lives to create sustainable practices and protect our natural resources.

You can start by considering your use of paper. How much of that email are you printing? Many of us are still in the habit of printing documents because we feel that we need to do this in order to take that information and use it in our work.

Perhaps you have a stack of printed PDFs on your desk right now because you need to copy that data into a spreadsheet. By using a PDF to Excel converter, you can skip the entire paper process and move all that information through software. This also means that your office won’t need to use as much expensive printer ink.

The best way to purchase your software is online through electronic delivery. This avoids extras such as discs and paper that you don’t need.

 

This year, the Earth Day Network is featuring an action called E-Waste or Electronic waste. They are encouraging people to dispose of obsolete, unused or broken electronic devices in a way that is safe for the environment.

Look around your office. Do you have old printers sitting in the corner because you found one with less expensive cartridges? Maybe you have a broken printer sitting there because it wasn’t worth getting fixed when you can buy a new printer for under $100, but you aren’t sure how to dispose of this equipment. Never send technology to the landfill. Printers, fax machines and other electronic devices are made of hazardous material which contain mercury, lead and cadmium. These chemicals leach into the soil and water or are released into the atmosphere if burned.

The Earth Day Network points out that in the United States, up to 50 million tons of e-waste is thrown away annually and only 20 to 25 percent is recycled. E-Stewards is an organization of responsible recyclers with locations all over the country to help you dispose of e-waste.

Massive Paper Waste Infographic

Image source: Blog.biggreenpurse.com

By taking advantage of advances in technology such as using innovative software and downloading the program directly from the site, you will be helping the planet this Earth Day. You’ll also be creating more streamlined office processes, and reducing costs.

Become part of the over one billion people who are participating in Earth Day to commit to change and refocus our attention on protecting our most important resources.