2 of 24

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 3

be set in place and make a big impact on power usage over time.

Think before you print. Despite the promise of the paperless office, continually touted over for the last twenty years, the reality is that most offices are deluged in waste paper. Huge amounts of time is wasted unnecessarily waiting for overused shared printers. There is always someone happy to print a tree killing document that would be better read on line. If it's a matter of requiring a reference copy that needs to be available at the same time as other information then, try using two monitors. As more and more people are using laptops in the workplace, and we move towards the never ending workday, using both the laptop screen and a docked main screen can be a great time and cost saving option. Windows desktops dual monitor function allows users to configure their monitor usage and run multiple screens at the same time, negating the need for printed documents almost completely. As a side effect, there is less chance of sensitive information being incorrectly disposed of and getting into the wrong hands.

How often have you walked past an empty office or cube to find that the lights are on? Office lights tend to be florescent, which helps. However, over time, this energy usage still adds up. Turning the lights out when a room is empty will save both time and money in the long run. How many times have you spied a light shinning underneath an office door, trekked over, only to be disappointed by an empty office? The end result is wasted time.

Consider installing a smart lighting system. Introduce light switches that include timers to automatically switch the lights off at a certain time in the evening, or infrared sensors that turn the lights off if there is no person sensed in the room. These solutions are particularly effective in meeting rooms or storage areas.

Recycling is another way that companies can go green. It is often forgotten in the workplace, even though we are all very practiced at home. However, recycling at work can offer a much greater impact. Think about it, compare your usage of paper at home, versus in the workplace. If your office has recycling facilities, make sure they are used. Most printing and snail mail does not contain sensitive or private data and can be recycled as easily as the Sunday paper at home. This same philosophy goes for soda cans and glass bottles. How many sodas or bottles of water do you have at work compared with home? All that aluminum and plastic should

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Tips and advice on "going green" in IT for mid-sized companies?
We want to hear your view. Write now!