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Create a Green Workplace
2010-00-28 


Studies suggest that while few U.S. businesses know their carbon footprint, through their consumption, emissions, and employees’ behavior, they are leaving big tracks on the planet. Paring them
down is an ongoing process, but here are a variety of ways to begin.

GOOD:
An employee workplace campaign is an ideal way to lower energy consumption and expenses. Create an off-when-not-in-use
policy for office lights and equipment; reduce ink, paper and waste
from shipping with file sharing services like YouSendIt.com and WebEx. Both are fee-based services that offer free online product trials.

BETTER:
Commuting adds mightily to carbon offsets. Though Long Island is a car-dependent region and ridesharing doesn’t work for everyone, Long Island Transportation Management helps businesses like Brookhaven National Labs and the Town of Huntington with custom solutions, including a “guaranteed ride” option that gets late workers home when the carpool has left.
BEST: Get audited. The biggest improvements will result from enhanced operating inefficiencies of major systems – water, electric, heating and cooling – which can be determined in an energy audit. LIPA coordinates audits for businesses and will work
to offset new equipment costs when they are needed.

One Simple Thing:
Start a “smart-print” workplace program to cut costs and waste from ink use: Purchase refillable cartridges. Review all drafts before printing. Widen standard margin settings. Consult one of the 5 LI Cartridge World stores for proper disposal: www.cartridgeworld.com  


Coordinating employee rideshares and carpools to offsite meetings and events is a practical way for any business to lower the impact of travel.

The Carbon Fund provides an online calculator that gives a basic measure of a business’ carbon footprint: www.Carbonfund.org





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