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Waste Reduction

Recycling is a fundamental part of green office operations, but there are other things you can do as well:

Reduce waste

  • students helping recycle on football game dayProgram all copiers and printers to print double-sided as a default.
  • Reduce the default margin size of paper.
  • Proof documents on the computer instead of printing numerous drafts.
  • Eliminate disposables whenever possible.
  • Do not print in-house newsletters or other publications.
  • Place all on-campus envelopes in a designated area and reuse them.
  • Cancel all junk mail.
  • Ask vendors to send electronic copies instead of printed copies of their materials.

Reuse supplies

  • Use a reusable mug or water bottle.
  • Post unwanted furniture and supplies that can be reused to the Northwestern Surplus Property Exchange.
  • Designate an area within the office space for supplies (pens, pencils, file folders, etc.) that can be reused instead of purchasing new.
  • Collect and reuse paper.

Buy recycled

  • Buy refurbished or recycled-content products.
  • Look for a high percentage of post-consumer content. "Post-consumer" materials have reached their end use and been collected from homes and businesses as opposed to scrap from within the manufacturing process.