Try to minimize every size

Energy efficiency

Reduce your energy consumption:

• turn off computers when not in use
• turn off office lighting when not in use
• activate sleep mode on your computer to switch off the screen after 10 minutes
• switch off office equipment at night when leaving the office.

Reduce the carbon emissions:

• book a departmental hybrid diesel or a four cylinder car for travel when possible
• use car pooling to attend meetings or take public transport
• organise green meetings using teleconferences or videoconferences where possible.

Waste minimisation

Reduce packaging and food waste:

• bring your own mug to work and have crockery set aside for visitors' use
• carefully calculate the amount of food ordered for meetings to avoid wastage.

Reduce paper and printing products:

• avoid colour printing. Colour printing generally uses more ink, so use black and white if possible
• print in draft mode to conserve even more ink. It will generally lighten the shade, but you'll still be able to read your copy clearly
• print double sided per A4 page if you have duplex printing or photocopying
• set printing default to double-sided printing
• use scrap paper for notes
• read and edit documents on screen where possible
• think before printing emails or documents to ensure it is absolutely necessary
• make sure you have access to paper, cardboard and organic recycling bins.

Increase use of recycling:

• purchase and use recycled paper and printer cartridges
• increase the recycling percentage of paper (10%, 80%, 100%)
• use the stationery catalogue which has a green tree icon to highlight products that are eco-friendly or use recycled content. Choose these items as they make a difference
• place all used paper (used on both sides) in the recycling bin
• recycle folders for meetings
• collect cardboard boxes for re-use or if recycling place them in your recycling area
• place your glass and plastic bottles, aluminium cans, tin cans, milk and juice cartons in the yellow top recycling bin.

Minimise water wastage:

• conserve water by reporting leaks
• ensure taps are completely turned off.

Courtesy: education. Queensland .govt.