EQ’s Green Tip of the Month
Green Your Holidays
Did you know it is estimated that between Thanksgiving and the New Year an extra million tons of waste are generated nationwide each week? Over 38,000 miles of ribbon are thrown away each year - enough to tie a bow around the Earth!
Here are some easy green tips to contribute less waste this holiday season:
Source: California Integrated Waste Management Board
Gifts:
- Buy recycled gift wrapping paper and holiday cards.
- Once a gift is opened, reuse the wrapping paper or throw it in the recycle bin instead of the trash.
- Gift certificates take little to no wrapping paper.
- Save gift boxes and bags to be folded, stored, and reused later.
Trees:
- If you buy an artifical tree, make sure to use it for many years.
- Cut trees can be composted or mulched after holiday season. Contact local municipality to check if these services are available in your area. Some cities will pick up the trees at your house!
- Buying new lights? Try the energy efficient and longer lasting LED bulbs.
There are many other ways to be creative and greener this holiday season. You can do your small part to make a collective difference!
Visit the California Integrated Waste Management Board website for more ideas on how to green your holidays!
"Help Conserve Paper"
Did you know the average U.S. office employee prints 10,000 sheets of paper a year? (based on research by the Resource Conservation Alliance)
How can I help conserve paper?
- print double sided
- utilize the print preview option to review your document before you print
- go paperless whenever possible
- expand margins
- use old documents / print jobs as scrap paper
- throw paper in the recycling bin
Why should I do this?
- easy to do
- reduce carbon footprint
- reduce solid waste in landfill
- conserve resources
- save money and energy
EQ encourages all of its employees and clients to help conserve paper. Everyone can do a small part and make a big difference. Last year, EQ recycled 6 tons of paper. Our recycled paper helped save:
- 19.2 trees
- 18.12 BTU’s
- 3.1 cubic yards of solid waste
- 1.176 tons of greenhouse gas emissions
- 6,300 gallons of water
"Be bright about light"
Turn off lights if you plan to be gone for more than 15 minutes.- Use natural lighting whenever possible.
- Replace standard light bulbs with Energy Star qualified bulbs (saves 75% energy, produces 75% less heat, and lasts 10 times longer than standard lighting).
The facts are simple: Being "bright about light" uses less electricity / energy. When we use less energy, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change.
According to the Energy Information Administration, lighting is responsible for 44% of the overall electricity in office buildings. Together we have the chance to make a big difference. See figure below:
For more information about reducing your carbon footprint or to learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
For More Information
For more information about reducing your carbon footprint or to learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
