The push to go green and be eco-friendly is spreading to many major companies and small businesses as well. It is cool to be green. So, here I am, looking around my studio and wondering “are we doing enough to be an eco-friendly studio?” And if not, does it cost a ton to convert?
I took inventory and here are some of the products that we deal with on a daily basis and how we are able to do our part:
* Paper=What business doesn’t have some paper waste? We recycle our paper and even use both sides when printing docs for our files. If you haven’t done so yet, I suggest you purchase a shredder and you can use the shreds for packing. After buying recycled paper and envelopes, I read on the packages that it requires about two thirds less energy to make a ton of paper from recycled paper instead of using wood pulp from trees.
* Ink cartridges= These babies rank second in our studio for waste so we take them to a local drug store that refills them for half the price of buying new and we can use them over and over again. When they finally give up we take them to Office Depot, they give you a small store credit for all recycled ink cartridges and batteries.
* Batteries=Rechargeables are great and most can be recharged up to 1000 times before needing to be replaced. When they no longer hold enough of a charge for our cameras and flashes, we use them for clocks, radios, flashlights, etc. until they are done. Again, Office Depot will take them, they have a great recycle program.
* Unplug=What studio doesnt have chargers everywhere? Unplug the chargers and power strips when not in use
* Environmentally Friendly Products=Ask your suppliers for eco-friendly materials, the more you ask for them the more they will stock-create the ripple effect!
You don’t have to suffer to go green, just be smart about your choices and let people know what you are doing. Share your ideas with prospects and clients, introduce them to your eco-friendly products-they will respect your for it! And, the more people seek out green companies the more your name will be mentioned.
Enjoy and please share any ideas that you may have.
