Top 9 Eco-Friendly Office Products

Today's Systems Corporation doesn't sell these particular products, but we offer these as some suggestions for an office going green. Let's take a look at some of these simple products that you can easily implement into your sustainable workplace. 

1.) Refillable Whiteboard Markers

Instead of creating more waste by throwing away dried up markers, try the refillable markers that can be used again and again.

Cost: 12 for $30, AusPen

2.) Hand-Powered Paper Shredder

It is possible to shred paper without using electricity with a hand-powered paper shredder. As a bonus, it is a great exercise!

Cost: $24, UncommonGoods 

3.) The Seven-Year Pen

No need to order boxes of disposable Bic pens. There is now a pen that will literally last you seven years. As long as you don't lose it, no need to have 10 pens at your desk that will dry out within a few weeks.

Cost: $8, See Jane Work

4.) 100 Percent Recycled Notes

Post-it notes are important, but they waste a lot of paper. Now you can get the recycled version of Post-it notes!

Cost: $18, The Green Office

5.) Recycled Tissues and Paper Towels

Marcal is the leading brand for 100 percent recycled paper products. They have been saving trees since 1950.

Cost: Contact sales@marcalpaper.com for a wholesale price.

6.) Recycled Trash Bins

You can now buy recycling bins made from recycled materials. Terracycle's models are made from traditionally non-recyclable products such as chip bags, toothbrushes, and anything else that would otherwise end up in a landfill. 

Cost: $15, Terracycle.com

7.) USB Cell

Instead of throwing away batteries, recharge them from a USB port with USB Cell.

Cost: $18, USB Cell

8.) ReBinders

These binders are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as an environmentally friendly product.

Cost: 10 1 inch binders for $34, ReBinder

9.) Moss Terrarium

Plants are great for the office. They clean the air and brighten the atmosphere. They are a lot of upkeep though. A terrarium requires a lot less maintenance and they last longer. This particular model is made from a recycled wine bottle.

Cost: $38, UncommonGoods

It's the little things that count. Each sustainable item you add to your office is a step towards a greener tomorrow.

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What products does your office use to stay green? Let us know in the comments!

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8 Ways to Go Green & Save Money in your Office

Recycle 

Americans produce millions of tons of waste per year. Businesses are often the biggest culprits of this. Make sure you have recycling bins strategically placed in your office. The more convenient it is to recycle, the more likely your employees will follow through.

Donate Old Products

Upgrading your computers or furniture? Don't throw away the old ones! Especially electronics, which are full of toxic substances like lead and cadmium. Donate these items to schools or people in need. These donations are also tax-deductible!

Use Less Paper

Print back to back or e-mail documents instead of printing them, when possible. You can also easily replace standard printer paper with recycled printer paper.

Turn off Electronics at Night

Leaving on electronics at night is not good. It is a waste of energy and will rack up your electricity bill. According to the EPA, turning off your computers at night saves between $50-$150 per machine, per year.

Use Power Strips

Even when a computer is off, energy still flows. Smart Strips cut off that extra power when it senses the device is not on. Smart Strips are only $30!

Use Energy Saving Bulbs

Switch from incandescent to florescent. Compact florescent bulbs use 75 percent less energy and generate 75 percent less heat. Each bulb saves you $40 from your energy bill in its lifetime.

Add Some Trees

You can save 30 percent in cooling costs by planting trees around your building. Trees reduce the temperature by 3-6 degrees. Plus they keep the earth clean!

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Let us know if you have any more tips on going green, that we could include in our future blogs, in the comments below!

Benefits of a Green Building

Buildings are responsible for an enormous amount of global energy use, resource consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. In the US, buildings account for almost 40 percent of national CO2 emissions and out-consume both the industrial and transportation sectors. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is one of the most popular green building certification programs used worldwide.  LEED certified buildings have 34% lower CO2 emissions, consume 25 percent less energy, and 11 percent less water. Not only is the construction of a LEED certified building green, but so is its function throughout its lifetime.

Green Buildings are Cost Effective 

Investing in a green building makes properties more valuable. The average increase in value for a green building is around 4 percent. The investment will start to pay for itself in about 7 years.

Buildings that have been LEED certified between the years 2015-2018, in the US, are estimated to have $1.2 billion in energy savings, $149.5 million in water savings, $715.2 million in maintenance savings, and $154.2 million in waste savings.

Green Buildings are Expanding the Market & Breaking Records

By 2018, LEED green building construction will directly contribute 1.1 million jobs and $75.6 billion in wages.

LEED Buildings Perform Better 

LEED is the international standard of excellence in green building with more than 90,000 LEED projects in 165 countries and territories.

LEED projects are getting results across the board, scoring an average Energy Star score of 89 out of 100 points.

Green Buildings Use Natural Resources Efficiently

These buildings have an enormous impact on the environment and climate change. Green buildings are expected to reduce water use by 15 percent and save more than 10 percent in operating costs.

LEED projects are responsible for diverting more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills. By 2030 that number is expected to jump to 540 million tons of waste.

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Think your building is ready for a LEED certification? Take a look at how you can get yours here https://www.usgbc.org/credentials

Let us know what you think about green buildings in the comments!

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