Tips for Reducing Paper Use
- Always try to use both sides of a sheet of paper.
- Reuse paper that's already printed on one side by manually feeding it into copiers and printers.
- Email can be used to share documents and ideas; only print the emails that you need a hard copy of.
- Use two-way or send-and-return envelopes. Your outgoing envelope gets reused for its return trip.
- Use reusable inter- and intra-office envelopes.
- Reuse old paper for notepads. It can be cut to custom sizes and bound with a staple, or a printing business can bind them into actual pads.
Purchasing Green for Your Office:
Here are some purchasing ideas to help make the workplace more environmentally friendly.
- Refurbish and buy refurbished office equipment.
- Reuse and refill toner cartridges and ribbons.
- Purchase nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners that contain low- or non-volatile organic compounds.
- Buy concentrates.
- Buy in bulk.
- Buy products that are reusable, returnable or refillable.
- Buy office products that contain post-consumer recycled material.
- Use flexible interior features, such as movable walls, to reduce waste associated with renovation.
- Choose durable materials and furnishing to reduce the costs and waste associated with replacement.
Take advantage of business programs
1. Dakota County Business Grant Program
- Receive up to $10,000 to reduce waste, start or improve recycling, and/or start organics recovery
- Get free bin labels
2. Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program
- Get rid of smaller amounts of hazardous waste such as solvents, paints, used oil and fuel at The Recycling Zone