Office supply, procurement
Choosing sustainable office supplies: avoid or reuse!Objectives
- Minimise waste
Green Value indicator
The reduction or avoidance of waste reduces the environmental footprintExplanation
When it comes to environmental sustainability and waste, there is a hierarchy of measures to take into account: prevention, preparation for re-use, recycling, other usage and finally disposal. It is always more ecological to prevent energy consumption for the creation of a product. So always try to go for the option where least products have to be manufactured, thus least waste is produced. For the office that means: reduce your waste. For many items this implies using reusable products and equipment, the longer the better.Here are some ideas:
1) use washable crockery, cutlery and cups instead of throwaway single-use plastics
2) use washable towels instead of paper towels. In order to be more hygienic, every employee can use their own towel. At IBK Krämer, a construction engineering company in Weimar every employee brings their own towel to the office at the beginning of the week, uses it during the week, takes it home at the end of the week and washes it at home.
3) office furniture: a) extend the life of your furniture, b) buy second-hand furniture: this saves money and there is a number of suppliers who offer second-hand furniture
4) reuse general office items: you can use mail folders, paper clips, file folders, binders or sheet protectors over and over again. You can even reuse envelopes and packing boxes. To organise it in a feasible way set up a central place – a box or a cabinet – where things are stored in an orderly way and where everyone can help themselves
5) avoid useless waste disguised as promotional gifts, merchandise gadgets and souvenirs. From pens and paper folders to tiny Eiffel Towers and folkloric dancers or whatever plastic figurine there is that represents your country or city: they have little to no practical or aesthetic use and just pile up in offices and later in landfills, oceans or the atmosphere. Instead, why not making the future as a gift? You could donate the money you would otherwise spend for gifts to an organisation or project with a social-environmental agenda. Or you have a tree planted as a collective gift to your partners. Isn’t that a much better publicity for your organisation than plastic pens?
PROS/CONS of the action
Pros:- decreases environmental impact without being more costly, actually it saves spending money
- eating and drinking from porcelain or glass is more self-respectful than using single-use plastic
- requires small efforts: throwing away a plastic dish is easier than washing it
- requires more planning
- it requires courage to initiate small changes
Certified
Not CertifiedLink to useful sources
Save Money by Recycling and Reusing Office SuppliesSecond-hand furniture: Search online for refurbished second-hand furniture suppliers or directly from individuals on gumtree.com , preloved.co.uk , or the market place on Facebook or Ebay.
