There are steps you can take to ensure your work environment is greener: make sure to turn off lights, computer monitors and the air conditioning when you leave the office at night, only print when necessary, collect office newspapers and take them to the Humane Society and recycle your printer toner cartridges.
For the most part, work environments sit empty at night, so it is a waste of both energy and money if things are left on. To ensure your work environment is greener, turn off lights and air conditioning and shut down computers before you leave at night. Set computers to energy-saving mode and don’t use screensavers, instead, switch off your monitor. Eliminate unnecessary power use or ‘phantom power’, the term used to describe the way devices use and waste electricity when they are not on, by unplugging electronics when not in use.
- Collect office newspapers and take them to the Humane Society or One Dog At A Time. Stock the break room or office kitchen with reusable dishes and silverware and buy coffee, sugar and other consumables in bulk to avoid extra packaging.
- E-Waste Cayman Islands Ltd. Electronic Recycling (Tel: (345) 916 6764 or (345) 325 5033) collects most old electronic equipment and recycles it in an environmentally friendly way. All materials are shipped to a recycling facility that is R2v3 certified. Customers can schedule an appointment on their website to have electronic waste collected.
- Kirk Office sells an array of FSC-certified paper and recycled products in addition to a range of Energy Star-certified electronics. They also accept your used batteries, ink and toner cartridges, as well as old computers, printers and photocopiers, all of which are then recycled. Reusable delivery totes are also offered for corporate orders which saves over 4,000 boxes from going to George Town landfill each year.
- Encourage your employers to install JUNK 'Recycling Made Easy' bins at your office and encourage your children's school to do the same. JUNK will assist you with installing a programme that is tailor-made for your workplace, whether large or small. If your office has regular suppliers, check for sustainability.
- Cartridge Smart, a subsidiary of JUNK, will recycle and refill any printer cartridges, from small personal printers to large professional copiers. If your office has regular suppliers, check them for sustainability.
If you work at a school or in the hospitality industry, encourage your establishment to take Plastic Free Cayman’s 345 Pledge for Businesses, whereby you commit to making changes to reduce the business’ single-use plastic waste. The business will also receive a plaque, allowing customers to identify the eco-friendly practices. For more information about Plastic Free Cayman and their initiatives, see here.