Recycled Paper Stock

The first consideration is the kind of paper selected for any envelopes, business cards, posters, flyers, invitations, tickets, stationary and material distributed at presentations. Thanks to the success of paper and cardboard recycling campaigns for the past 25 years, there is no shortage of “gently used” paper that is easy to recycle into new products for a fraction of the energy it takes to harvest a living tree and turn it into paper pulp. Not only is recycled paper cheaper, it also has more “character” to make your materials look “organic” and less phony and manufactured.

The familiar recycle logo with the three revolving arrows naturally becomes an integral part of any “green” advertising campaign. When you commit to exclusively using recycled paper products, your company can proudly display the recycle logo on all printed materials — as well as digital media — to show you team has adapted a progressive and ecologically-minded attitude, which can heavily influence the customer’s ultimate selection.

Consider integrating other clever recycled paper product for single-use items — like coasters and invitations — that integrate wildflower seeds into a paper stock that dissolves easily, thereby encouraging the end-user to continue the recycling process by planting it in their yard. Another trendy alternative are the new “tree-free” paper products that use bamboo, hemp or the organic waste from orchards and commercial coffee operations.

Soy-based Inks

Traditional ink production involves the use of heavy metals and releases VOC (volatile organic compounds) into the atmosphere. Innovative printers use soy-based inks that are durable, have rich colors and quick-drying properties that make it an excellent choice for digital reproduction technology. Soy-based inks are made from renewable resources and use ethyl lactate, which is considered to be the “greenest” solvent available today. Some companies have even devised projects recycling pencil stubs into eco-friendly inks. Another positive outcome to using soy-based inks is that your final product requires less heat to break down, so it is even more easily recycled.

Eco-Friendly Printer Shop Practices

Just because you select green materials you don’t necessarily have an eco-friendly final product unless care is taken selecting the print shop. Any printer who advertises as being “green” will be glad to show you proof of proper disposal of harmful solvents and chemicals. You can also look for signs of energy-saving techniques such as computer-controlled automation that reduces paper waste and strict in-house recycling practices. Of course, digital offset presses are the best because they can incorporate your eco-friendly products into high-quality promotional materials that resist scratching and fading.

Eco-Friendly Publicity Campaigns

To share your environmentally-conscious attitude with the world, integrate this message into all of your copy, graphics and digital media. Take the opportunity to create a “warm, fuzzy” public relations campaign to emphasize your commitment to sensible, sustainable practices so your audience associates your company with the green movement. Such strategies can be subtly used to increase the effectiveness of your overall company image and paint your profile with that ever popular green tint.

* Comfort: The planner who designs a workstation for the comfort of the employees is using his expertise to his advantage. If the work space is ergonomically correct, you can expect a higher quality and quantity of work from your employees. Each workstation should be measured and planned according to the height and weight of each employee. The chairs should be swivel models, and easy on the back. The distance between the keyboard and employee should be measured as well, to ensure that they will not be susceptible to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or Tendenitis.

* Computer Settings: You want to make sure that the brightness of the computer monitor is easy on the eyes. The size of the monitor is important as well. If your employees are going to be using the computer for long hours everyday, then a large screen is recommended, so the images can be viewed quickly and correctly without straining the eyes.

* Cubby Set Up: Offices no longer design their work space for their employees in small isolated cubby spaces. Time has proven that this setup which was originally designed for privacy and a higher quantity of work, are not effective or productive. Today’s modern cubby spaces are more open, allowing the employees to feel like they are part of a team.

Headsets: Time has proven to be an enemy for workers who have to hand hold their telephones. Invest in headsets for your employees, and this will not only add to the comfort level, but it will also save you a bundle, since you won’t have worker’s compensation claims for the medical conditions your workers suffer when they are not provided with a hand-free telephone system.

Storage Space: It’s critical to ensure that each work station has sufficient storage capacity. This will result in a desktop that is free of clutter, and an employee who is more productive and organized, resulting in higher quanity and quality of work.

Plants breath carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen therefore having a purifying effect on office air. In addition to plants having a scientific benefit to an office, they also have the ability to soften the look of a bright, unnatural fluorescently lit office. Hang some from the ceiling and encourage workers to put plants on their desks for decoration. Office plants also have the ability to improve productivity because of the oxygen enriched air they emit.

Another benefit of plants in the office is that they have the ability reduce the noise level. If you work in an office where there is lots of marble structures or concrete floors, plants will work to absorb and diffuse noise, making the office a more relaxing place to be. Besides noise reduction, plants also keep humidity at a perfect and comfortable level. People who spend large amounts of time in dry air environments have been known to be more susceptible to the cold and flu. If plants are controlling the humidity of the office air, fewer workers will fall ill which means greater productivity for the company.

Finally, studies have shown that plants absorb dangerous toxins, such as those emitted from computers or copiers. This may not have been something that people consider, but office equipment is quite dangerous when in small, unventilated rooms. Plants can work to curb the amount of toxins in the air that employees are breathing.

Indeed, not only do plants improve the appearance of an office, but they have many health benefits for employees that are there on a daily basis. Studies have shown many lasting benefits of making an office a greener place.