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Inspiration

The budget-friendly, eco-friendly office

ayments professionals have all types of offices Paper
from small spaces just right for one person all
the way to corporate headquarters housing In this digital age, we use far less paper than previously.
P hundreds of workers. During the pandemic, It's worth it, however, to check whether old practices are
many people who'd always commuted to work began lingering in your place of business. This could be printing
working from home for the first time. Since the easing of out an agenda to distribute at staff meetings, printing
restrictions, some companies have opted to continue this office manuals, using paper notes to alert colleagues about
remote work arrangement; others have called people back missed phone calls or other reminders. Whenever you find
on a full- or part-time basis. your business is repeatedly using paper for something
that could be conveyed digitally, examine whether paper
Those who have opted to downsize their offices benefit is really necessary.
from reduced rent and maintenance for their facilities.
Others who have eliminated central offices have brought There will be times when you'll want to continue to
that expense down to zero. Workers who no longer use paper. Office supply stores typically carry recycled
commute or commute less frequently are saving on gas and paper of comparable price to traditional paper. If it's in
vehicle maintenance. For companies that can thrive with your budget, you might consider using paper made from
remote workers, this is a win-win-win for the companies, bamboo or hemp, which saves trees. And when it's time
workers and the environment. to purchase a new printer/copier, get one with two-sided
printing capability. Reducing font size by one point size
Electricity will also save paper and generally not be problematic for
readers.
Aside from reducing office space, businesses can save
money in other ways. One is to install solar panels either These ideas just scratch the surface of what's possible in
at home if you're home-based or at your place of business. terms of creating an eco-friendly, budget-friendly office.
Depending upon your location, you may be able to One thing to keep in mind is to get everyone on board with
receive tax benefits for going solar, while enjoying a much the goal. We're all entitled to our own opinions. People
smaller electricity bill going forward. Since solar energy who aren't invested in environmental issues will likely get
is renewable, it is eco-friendly, which is a plus for people behind the benefits of saving money, particularly while
who are concerned about the environment. inflation is running high. The more we are engaged as
part of the solution in our daily lives, the more we will all
Also, when it comes to use of electricity. Some folks leave thrive into the future.
their devices on overnight. While this makes getting
down to business a bit faster in the morning, it wastes
electricity while the equipment is not in use. Consider
having everyone in your office shut down their connected
devices when they call it quits for the day.

Kate Gillespie, President and CEO