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Whether you are the boss or the temp employee at the bottom of the totem pole, you can help conserve resources in the workplace. It might be easier for the person sitting behind the brass name plate to make green decisions for the whole office, but even cubicle-dwellers can have a big impact on resource consumption and help their companies save money and improve their environmental impacts.

1. Shut it down at the End of the Day

A 2002 report by the California Energy Commission expressed that 10% of the energy used by homes each year came from electronic devices in standby mode. Turning off the computer, printer, and other unessential electronics at the end of the day is easy and conserves energy. Many devices actually continue to suck power even when they are turned off, so consider using a master power strip for your cubicle or office. By flipping one switch at the end of the day, you can ensure that you will not be wasting energy all night.

2. Toss the Paper (in the Recycling Bin)

Consider for a minute that one 10-ream box of office paper is equivalent to one tree, and even recycled paper must be bleached, mechanically processed, and then trucked to your workplace. By limiting printing, taking advantage of double sided print options, and increasing electronic (rather than paper) records, you can save several trees and a few barrels of oil each year. Also, paper documents increase the use of binders, folders, envelopes, staples, paper clips, and plastic labels. Most of these items won't be recycled and will just end up in the landfill. Reducing paper waste helps to reduce the consumption of other office resources, and the extra electricity required to print or copy. Consider emailing PDF versions of memos rather than sending one to every desk. Take advantage of the note taking and editing capabilities of word processing programs when working on group documents, and if you truly must print, remember to recycle any paper waste.

3. Change up the Commute

If you are able to work from home, even just one day a week, you'll reduce your gasoline consumption by 20%. As energy costs continue to rise, more and more employers are open to the idea of telecommuting or investing in community based satellite work centers. Also, many offices are trying 9 hour days (1 extra day off every 2 weeks) and 10 hour days (for 3-day weekend every week). Any time you don't have to go to work, you are saving valuable time and money. Investigate your company's policy on alternative working arrangements.

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