How to Celebrate Earth Day in Your Office

Written by Miller's Supplies At Work | Apr 19, 2018 11:08:05 PM

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 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

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

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?

View more than 3,600 recycled products and over 1,000 environmentally friendly supplies.

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