Ways You Can Help to Curb Climate Change 

Energy Efficiency

• Turn on power-save modes on equipment and appliances. 
• Turn off equipment during nights and weekends.  Attach TVs, radios, computers, copy machines, microwaves, telephones etc. to power strips for ease in turning them off at the end of the day.  (Even when not in use, appliances use electricity.  According to Co-op America, turning computers and copiers off after work can cut energy usage by up to 75%.)
• Turn off computers when not in use for two hours or more.
• Install an automated thermostat and/or set temperatures so that it will be comfortable during the day, and will use less energy during nights and weekends.
• Close the blinds at windows that receive direct sunlight and after work and on weekends to prevent excess heating in the summertime.
• Use a ceiling fan or other fan in the summer.  Fans use 98% less energy than A/C and make you feel up to 6 degrees cooler.
• Open the windows and turn off the air conditioning on nice days.
• Ensure radiators and heaters are not blocked by furniture.
• Add weather stripping to all doors and windows.
• Use energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Use thin fluorescent tubes (T8) which use less energy but have the same output as T12 tubes. 
• Replace flickering fluorescent lights promptly.
• Turn off lights when exiting rooms.
• Schedule an energy audit. See http://www.e4s.org/content/resource_energy_efficiency.asp .
• If you use batteries, buy rechargeable batteries and a charger.
• If purchasing new equipment or appliances, look for EPA Energy Star certified options.

Transportation

• Bike, walk, take public transportation or car-pool to work.
• Subsidize the use of public transportation for employees.
• Encourage ride-sharing. See http://www.citywheelscleveland.com/ .
• Tune-up vehicles on a regular basis.
• Purchase hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles. 
• Use videoconferencing and conference calls instead of travel when possible.

Responsible Paper Usage

• Purchase chlorine-free, high post-consumer waste recycled paper. See www.environmentalchoice.com .
• Circulate documents and post notices on a central memo board rather than distributing multiple copies.
• Use email for internal distribution in place of hard copies.
• Keep mailing lists up-to-date and avoid duplicates.
• Eliminate use of fax cover sheets; write on the fax itself or attach a fax post-it.
• Edit documents on-screen as much as possible to avoid printing multiple drafts.
• Conserve paper by printing and copying double-sided.  Buy machines that have this feature and ensure that instructions on using it are clearly labeled.
• Use the reduction feature on a copier to fit more on a page.
• Print using lowest quality print setting when appropriate to conserve ink and cartridges.
• Save paper by design: use narrower margins and smaller fonts when acceptable.
• Use postcards for mailings when possible and use the smallest size envelope required.
• When appropriate, stock fax machines, copiers and printers with scrap documents to make use of both sides of office paper. 
• Use reusable inter-office envelopes.
• Cancel junk mail and notify senders if you are receiving more copies of a mailer than you require. See http://www.newdream.org/junkmail/ .
• Work with printers who use responsible inks and papers. See http://www.e4s.org/content/resource_office_printing.asp .

In the Kitchen

• Keep washable plates, mugs, glasses and silverware in the kitchen and avoid disposables.
• Purchase recycled and non-chlorine bleached paper towels and napkins. See www.environmentalchoice.com .
• Hang hand-towels in the kitchen (and bathroom) and use cloth napkins in place of paper ones.  Establish a system for washing cloth items.
• Avoid individually packaged sugar and cream in the kitchen.
• Bring lunches in reusable rather than disposable containers.
• Provide a dish washing area to support staff efforts to use reusables.
• Dine in as opposed to carrying out food. This will allow you to reduce your use of disposable packaging.
• Bring your own bags when shopping.
• Frequent restaurants that purchase from local producers.

Office Supplies, Products and Furniture

• Have a “used goods area” within the office and include binders, folders, padded envelopes, cardboard boxes, disks, etc.  Use these before purchasing new supplies.
• Purchase and use products that are recycled and recyclable. See http://www.environmentalchoice.com .
• Purchase unbleached or chlorine-free, high post-consumer waste recycled paper products, including binders, envelopes and toilet paper. See http://www.environmentalchoice.com .
• Consider products with minimum packaging; purchase in bulk.
• Use refillable pens and tape dispensers instead of disposable ones.
• If replacing your carpet, look for non-toxic recyclable carpeting.
• Purchase products from local suppliers (to avoid long distance shipping and packaging) and from suppliers committed to environmental issues. See http://www.e4s.org/content/resource_directory_how-to.asp .
• Purchase used items from thrift stores when possible.

Recycling and Proper Disposal

• Set up a comprehensive office recycling program for paper, cardboard, glass, metals and plastics and clearly label all recycling bins. See http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/health/recycling/recycling.html .
• Recycle toner cartridges through manufacturers.
• Collect and recycle batteries, especially rechargeable batteries.  You can search for the nearest place to recycle here: www.rbrc.org .
• Donate old cell phones for reuse.  For drop-off information see:  http://www.lwvcef.org/ecophones.htm .
• Recycle packing peanuts. Call 1.800.828.2214 to find the nearest drop off location.
• Donate equipment and furniture to a resale store. The Salvation Army offers free pick-up. The Greater Cleveland Furniture Bank is located at 6700 Biddulph Road in Cleveland. They can be reached at 216.459.2265.
• Educate your office about recycling and proper waste management.
• Audit your paper use by comparing your present and past paper usage. Set new paper reduction goals after each audit.

Meetings and Events

• Support environmentally responsible hotels and meeting spaces.  See www.greenhotels.com .
•      Ensure that meetings and trainings are held at locations served by public transportation.  Include train or bus directions on the invitation.
• Buy locally grown food, and support caterers who do too. See http://www.cvcountryside.org/Website/Local%20FoodWorks/countryside_harvest%20guide%202007.htm .
• Label foods at events if they are local.
• In evaluations of meetings and events, ask how the event could reduce its carbon footprint in the future.