How to Celebrate Earth Day in Your Office

by Miller's Supplies At Work

Miller's Supplies At Work

Did you know 79 percent of plastics produced will accumulate in landfills or the natural environment? If this trend continues, there will be an extra 13.2 billion tons of plastics cluttering landfills or the environment by 2050. According to Earth Day Network, improper disposal of plastics injures marine life, clogs waste streams and threatens our planet.
 
See how Miller’s helps the environment and ways your office can celebrate Earth Day.
With our customers help, Miller’s protects the environment through keeping our facilities sustainable, properly equipping our delivery trucks and recycling. In 2017, we recycled 60 tons of items including:
 
  • 5.4 tons of paper
  • 1.4 tons of plastic shrink-wrap
  • 34.8 tons of cardboard
  • 18.7 tons of toner or ink cartridges
An office can have many opportunities to be environmentally friendly. One small change can have a big impact on the environment. If an office recycles one pallet of paper it saves seven trees, two barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatts of energy. Celebrate Earth Day in your office with the below tips and resources.
 
1. Evaluate Commonly Used Items
Computer equipment can be recycled
Computer equipment such as monitors, printers and keyboards made with steel, plastic, aluminum or copper may be recyclable. How do you currently dispose unused computer equipment? Proper handling of computer equipment can decrease the volume of waste in landfills. You can recycle computer equipment by reaching out to manufacturers or donation locations. When you donate a computer, it can be refurbished or reused for other purposes.
 
2. Encourage Staff to Take a Walk
Smiling Handsome Man with Coat on the Shoulder Using Mobile Phone While Walking on the Street
Encourage staff to take a walk outside and get a breath of fresh air. Taking time to appreciate nature may spark curiosity on how one can help keep a beautiful environment. Consider encouraging staff to sit outside during their lunch break on a nice day. The ability to enjoy a healthy environment can be enough of a reason to celebrate Earth Day.
 
3. Educate Your Staff
Educate Your Staff
Hold a short staff gathering to educate staff on why recycling is important. The Earth Day Network has resources and tool-kits to help plan a successful event. A few items to share with your staff can include proper disposal of laptop batteries and light bulbs. According to an article by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a laptop battery can release hazardous substances into the environment if not properly disposed. If it is not recycled, it can end up in a landfill where its metals can drain into the soil and ground water. Additionally, the disposal of light bulbs that contain mercury can damage the environment. When recycling light bulbs, since it’s glass it can be used to make more bulbs.
 
Visit our Environmental Responsibility page to learn more about Miller's sustainability efforts. Looking for ways to shop green?
Go Green With Miller's

Topics: Office Supplies

Miller's Supplies At Work

Written by Miller's Supplies At Work

Headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic region, Miller’s supplies the office products and workplace solutions you need to run a productive, well-equipped work environment. From humble beginnings in 1971 to nationwide coverage offered today, we support you with convenient procurement tools, flexible solutions and personalized attention that ensures you’ll feel like our only customer.