1.  Print double-sided – If you must print and copy, make documents double-sided. Set this as a default on your printer and computer.

The average U.S. office worker is estimated to use a sheet of paper every 12 minutes—a ream per person every two and a half working weeks—and to dispose of 100-200 pounds of paper every year. (Source: ForestEthics.org)

2.  Minimize printer emissions – Reduce the number of personal desktop printers to minimize printer emissions in the work area.

Office equipment is responsible for up to 26 percent of energy used in a typical office building. Buying one machine with multiple functions can save over 150 percent in costs compared to buying several single-function machines. (Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration)

3.  Maximize equipment efficiency – Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it’s plugged into—when you leave for the day

Look for products that meet credible environmental standards, such as Energy Star. Computers, printers, fax machines and copiers should have an energy-saving “sleep” mode that kicks in automatically after a period of inactivity. This equipment uses 40 percent less electricity than average models. (Source: U.S. EPA)

4.  Use electronic document management techniques – Avoid or reduce making copies by using electronic distributions, and retain documents on your computer or server. Make good use of scanning technology and e-mail attachments instead of faxing. Don’t print draft materials, proofread off of a computer or video displays instead. Encourage the use of online forms rather than paper forms.

To store two million paper documents, an organization can expect to spend between $40,000 and $60,000 on filing cabinets alone. U.S. businesses spend $1 billion a year designing and printing forms, yet approximately one third of the printed forms become outdated before they are used. (Source: ForestEthics.org)

5.  Be bright about light – Make it a habit to turn off lights when you’re leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.

Switch all lights to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which are three to four times more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs. Motion sensors and timers ensure that lights are not wasting energy in an empty room. (Source: U.S. EPA)

6.  Cut water waste – Make sure the water faucet does not drip and conduct a water audit to analyze the water usage and identifies opportunities to be more efficient.

According to the EPA, water-efficient appliances would help the country save more than 3 trillion gallons of water and more than $18 billion per year. Using water also uses another precious resource – energy. Letting the faucet run for just five minutes uses as much energy as running a 60-watt light bulb for 14 hours.

7.  Find safer cleaning products – Consider organic cleaning products like vinegar, borax and baking soda.

One out of every three cleaning chemicals used to clean in the United States is known to cause human health or other environmental problems. Look for Green Seal or EcoLogo products as safer “green” cleaning alternatives. (Source: NewDream.org)

8.  Recycle everything – Almost all paper types: cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic, steel, tin, milk boxes and juice containers are recyclable. Toner cartridges, batteries, CDs and floppy disks are also recyclable through recycling centers and manufacturers. Recycle folders, paper clips, envelopes, post-its, hanging folders, batteries, rubber bands, etc. Reuse packaging materials and Styrofoam.

Considering the chemicals, energy, wood, water and other resources required, producing one ton of paper uses 98 tons of various resources. And, despite long-term educational efforts, more paper is still going into landfills than is being collected for recycling. (Source: ForestEthics.org)

9.  Give preference to locally made products – Buying locally helps conserve fuel, oil, emissions, electricity and other energy sources as well as boosts the local economy.

Moving dollars away from conventional national and agribusiness and toward supporting local business and local, farmers creates a vigorous local economy and sustainability.

10.  Develop & publicize written sustainability policies and procedures – Lead by example.

Knowing a company is mindful of its impact on the environment and society, people are 58 percent more likely to buy their products and services and 55 percent more likely to have loyalty to the company. (Source: Natural Marketing Institute 2007 LOHAS Consumer Trends Database)