Don't Listen to Kermit. It's Easy Being Green-Even in the Office

Did you know that a little greenery in the office can make you happier and healthier? According to Interior Office Plants, indoor plants can reduce fatigue and cold-related illnesses by more than 30 percent; can lower your blood pressure and stress levels, and can even increase productivity.

What’s more, ‘being green’ in the office has some of the same effects. Research conducted in 2007 by a student from Imperial College London shows a significant link between environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors and personal well-being.  Matthew Mellen, who completed his MSc in Environmental Technology, conducted the research and told The Great Turning Times that people who live a more eco-friendly lifestyle have improved subjective well-being assessments.

With that in mind, getting a little greener at work might be a good idea.

Consider just the fact that, annually, in the United States alone, we consume 99,778,437 tons of paper. That comes down to about 663 pounds per person—more than a polar bear’s weight. And it is not just paper. From our copiers to our computers, we are releasing CO2 emissions without even realizing it.

There are plenty of ways that offices can ease their way into being more eco-friendly and, best of all, you can adapt effortlessly. The folks at Canon, a leader in digital imaging products based in Tokyo, have put together some tips and suggestions to get you started:

·         Think before you print. Make sure you have exactly what you need and print documents only when necessary.

·         Recycle your cartridges and toners. Many vendors will accept your old toner cartridges for reprocessing. Returned cartridges are put through the recycling and energy recovery process, producing plastics, metals, and reconditioned parts that can be used in the manufacture of new cartridges and other products.

·         Print double-sided to reduce paper consumption. The use of duplex printing will not only reduce paper usage, but also reduce the impact on the environment. This can benefit companies as well, as the decrease in number of cartridges and paper ultimately lowers operating costs.

·         When possible, scan as opposed to printing or faxing. Having an electronic record not only reduces waste, but may also help you in the event that you lose a hard copy.

·         Talk to your IT department about getting your office outfitted with a green printer, such as Canon’s (News - Alert) new imageRUNNER ADVANCE series. With this fleet of printers, Canon is demonstrating that going green does not mean sacrificing performance. Awarded the 2011 ENERGY STAR award for Excellence in Energy Efficient Product Design, the series helps reduce users’ environmental footprint with its high energy efficiency, eco-friendly design, reduced CO2 emissions, and greener workflow.

For more information on Canon environmental programs and a copy of the Canon Sustainability Report 2010 visit their website.