Fact Sheet: Conservation Tips for Business

Office of Waste Reduction Services
State of Michigan
Departments of Commerce and Natural Resources

December 1989
#8911A

This list of 50 Conservation Tips for Business will assist you in reducing your waste, improving your product and enhancing your public image. Some tips are as simple as printing reports on both sides of paper. Others are more fundamental, such as stimulating a company-wide attitude change toward waste.

Waste Conservation Tips

  1. Assess your waste. Waste reduction begins with a thorough waste assessment. Determine the nature of your waste-quantity, types, hazards, collection and disposal costs-before you begin targeting specific types of waste outputs for reduction.

  2. Source reduction. Take measures to prevent waste at the source. Target materials for reduction if they appear in your waste stream in significant quantities, if they have a low product to package ratio and if they are likely to have a negative impact on the environment.

  3. Recycle. Office paper, old corrugated containers (OCC or cardboard), plastic, foam, aluminum, scrap ferrous metals, oil, glass and many other products can be recycled.

  4. Waste exchange. One company's waste is another's treasure. Investigative established waste exchange services (such as Waste System Institute's Great Lakes/Midwest Waste Exchange) or set up your own communications network with other businesses in your region.

  5. Mend and repair. Repair broken machinery and appliances to extend their useful life and reduce disposal costs.

  6. Purchase products and equipment that last. Spend a little extra money on high quality products. It will lower repair bills, increase product life and save money in the long run.

  7. Procure recycled products. Support recycling markets by purchasing products containing recycled materials, such as paper, steel, rubber, aluminum, plastic, oil and compost.

  8. Eliminate wasteful packaging. Buy materials in bulk (unpackaged rather than packaged goods). Purchase only the quantity needed, reducing the need to throw away outdated stock.

  9. Recycle laser printer toner cartridges and copier machine developer.

  10. Use reusable products. Provide employees with a ceramic company coffee mug to replace disposable cups. In restaurants, put condiments in reusable containers and use reusable placemat and tablecloths. Switching to reusables may add to dishwashing and laundry costs, but saves on purchase of paper goods, avoids waste disposal costs and will improve your dining atmosphere.

  11. Reduce container waste. Purchase goods in recycable, reusable or returnable containers.

  12. Turn scrap paper into scratch pads.

  13. Use routing slips or bulletin boards instead of making multiple copies of reports.

  14. Use two-sided copying to conserve paper purchase costs and reduce disposal costs.

  15. Avoid junk mail. Ask to be removed from junk mailing lists. Write to Direct Marketing Associates, P.O. Box 3861, New York, NY, 10163-3861. For those organizations and magazines from whom you do wish to receive mail, request they don't share your address with others. Ask your post office for a form to remove names of employees from third-class mailing lists.

  16. Reduce packaging waste. Ask suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging. Donate foam packing "peanuts" to mailing services, packaging stores, etc.

  17. Educate employees. Regular reinforcement and support about cost-saving recycling and waste reduction opportunities will pay off in increased efficiency, participation rates and employee suggestions.

  18. Contribute discards that may be usable by others - from toys to clothing to "irregulars" to day-old bakery items.

  19. Appoint a waste reduction coordinator. Assign responsibility for waste reduction activities to a management-level employee.

  20. Sell or donate office equipment and supplies that have become obsolete. Old paper stock can be given to schools, community groups and non-profit organizations.

  21. Substitute non-hazardous ingredients for hazardous materials wherever possible in the production process.

  22. Recover and reuse spent solvents.

Energy Conservation Tips

  1. Seek energy advice. Contact your local utility or the Public Service Commission about energy conservation tips or for an on-site energy audit.

  2. Maintain company automotive fleets. Consider fuel efficient vehicles sized to do the job

    1. tune-up every 5,000-10,000 miles
    2. adjust brakes
    3. use unleaded gas
    4. use high-quality, multi-grade re-refined oil
    5. use retreated tires
    6. check tire pressure at least once a week
    7. require recycling of CFCs when air-conditioning is repaired or serviced.

    Avoid optional equipment that decreases fuel economy. Train and reward employees for fuel efficient driving practices.

  3. Use energy efficient lightbulbs.
  4. Use solar energy for small applications such as hearing hot water or for larger scale use in heating workspace.
  5. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.
  6. Plant windbreaks and shade trees around your business for energy savings.
  7. Encourage employee car pools.
  8. Support community plans for mass transit and bike paths.
  9. Keep garage and warehouse doors closed to reduce heat/air conditioning loss.
  10. Locate and close unnecessary building openings.
  11. Develop conservation attitudes and awareness among employees. Offer training, apply motivational techniques and encourage suggestions.

General Conservation Tips

  1. Avoid products containing CFCs. Chlorofluorocarbon emissions deplete the earth's protective ozone layer. Despite government action to eliminate CFC products, aerosol dust removers, plastic confetti makers and cleaning sprays for various electronic equipment are still in use.

  2. Avoid Halon fire extinguishers. These fire extinguishers contain ozone-depleting Halon gases. For most applications, environmentally-friendly alternatives are available.

  3. Use non-toxic, biodegradable soaps and detergents.

  4. Keep hazardous chemicals in spill-proof containers.

  5. Network. Encourage local Chambers of Commerce, local solid waste planning agencies, municipal governments, trade associations, local utilities and non-profit organizations to work together to provide technical assistance in the areas of waste minimization, energy conservation and advocacy.

  6. Evaluate operating procedures to reduce product consumption or provide environmentally-friendly alternatives.

  7. Support hazardous waste collection programs for very small quantity generators and community residents.

  8. Buy locally. Supporting locally produced goods and food avoids need for protective packaging and costly transportation.

  9. Patronize businesses which utilize recycled and other environmentally-friendly materials.

  10. Share equipment. Copiers, mailing machines and other office equipment could be shared under a cooperative purchasing arrangement and joint service agreement.

  11. Conserve water. Turn off water taps when not in active use. Repair dripping faucets.

  12. Install water-efficient faucets, shower heads and toilets to conserve water.

  13. Plant native flora adapted to the local climate that will require less watering during seasonal weather changes or unusually dry conditions.

  14. Compost food scraps from kitchens or return food waste to local gardens for composting.

  15. Compost yard debris such as grass clipping, leaves and brush trimmings for use as mulch or soil conditioner.

  16. Repair small appliances. Support repair training programs in local schools, community colleges and adult education programs.

  17. 50. Remanufacture. Buy remanufactured good such as automotive parts, industrial equipment and commercial products. Become a remanufacturer yourself.

This list of conservation tips is far from all-inclusive. If you have your own ideas to add, let us know!

Developed by:

Resource Recycling Systems, Inc.

Funded by:

The Clean Michigan Fund
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

For more information on the subject of waste reduction for businesses, contact the:

Office of Waste Reduction Services
P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335-1178


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Last Updated: November 10, 1995