Summertime is a great time to learn new recycling tips. Broadway Green Alliance is leading the way to help make our tiny island and outer Boroughs filled with millions of people with tons of trash a more thoughtful and sustainable place to live in.
As a guitarist I've always been bummed about trashing my old strings. BGA has one of my favorite initiatives the Guitar Strings Project, where recycled guitar strings are turned into cool jewelry.
Here's BGS's latest newsletter, if you can do one thing imagine the difference it will make:
AT THE OFFICE
Employee Encouragement
- Encourage the use of public transit through TransitChek or other programs.
- Where public transit is unavailable, encourage carpools by sending an email to staff members.
- Investigate a paperless direct deposit system for your employees.
- Give your employees a mug or reusable water bottles with the company logo for their first day, a holiday or any occasion.
Procurement
- Start buying 100% post-consumer recycled paper for your office.
- If you provide lunch at your office, consider purchasing locally grown organic foods.
- When you can’t buy office supplies and equipment locally, buy in bulk to reduce shipping pollution and packaging waste.
- Reuse shipping boxes whenever possible.
- When replacing appliances around the office, look to replacements with Energy Star ratings.
- When purchasing company vehicles or using a car service, consider electrics or hybrids.
- Consider consulting green architects, designers and construction companies for any renovations.
- Evaluate HVAC systems and upgrade for greater efficiency if necessary.
- Inquire with your energy provider about buying into an energy portfolio consisting of energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro.
- Consider investing in high quality alternative energy carbon offsets.
Office Initiatives
- Designate a place where employees can leave their paycheck envelopes for reuse.
- Use washable plates and silverware instead of paper plates and plastic utensils.
- Arrange for a company to pick up your paper, metal and plastic recycling.
- Set thermostats to turn down (or off) when the office is closed.
- Mandate double-sided printing and explore paperless options.
- Utilize video conferencing systems instead of traveling to a meeting.
- Mandate that all computers and printers be turned off at the end of the work day.
General
- Develop an internal Green Team to develop green initiatives and goals.
- Establish a green policy for the office.
IN THE HOME
- Avoid plastic water bottles by keeping a reusable one with you.
- Use your own coffee mug or tumbler and save hundreds of paper cups!
- Carry a reusable bag with you (they’re a perfect fit in a purse or bag) to avoid plastic bags – many stores also offer discounts if you use your own.
- Plug your major electronics into power strips that you can switch off to avoid phantom energy.
- Load up the dishwasher instead of washing by hand to conserve water.
- Choose Energy Star appliances, they use 10 to 50 percent less energy.
- Screen savers use energy, set your computer to sleep after 20 minutes.
- Whenever you’re buying paper products, look for the highest percentage post-consumer recycled paper.
- Shop at your local farmers’ market for locally grown organic foods.
- Ask to receive and pay bills online, it saves time and paper.
ATTENDING THE THEATRE
- Print your tickets at home – and on recycled paper of course!
- To stay informed about your theatre, subscribe to an e-newsletter instead of printed brochures.
- Take public transportation to the theatre, or carpool and make it an evening out with friends!
- Share the show’s program and only take one. And if you’re not going to keep it as a memento of your evening, be sure to recycle it at the theatre in the proper receptacle.
- Looking at souvenirs? See if they have organic cotton shirts, reusable water bottles, reusable bags or other green options.
- Inform an usher if you find a leaky faucet in the restroom; they can arrange to get it fixed.
- If you purchase refreshments in a bottle or can, don’t forget to find a recycling container – there’s probably one right in the lobby!
Resources:
NYC WasteLess | www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/home/home.shtml
Your one-stop recycling, waste prevention, and composting resource for NYC residents, schools, institutions, and businesses.
Your one-stop recycling, waste prevention, and composting resource for NYC residents, schools, institutions, and businesses.
NRDC Greening Advisor
NRDC Greening Advisor | http://bit.ly/Wfkkwn
The NRDC Greening Advisor is a guide that can help any commercial business or organization to reduce its environmental impacts.
The NRDC Greening Advisor is a guide that can help any commercial business or organization to reduce its environmental impacts.
BGA Pinterest
BGA’s Recycled Crafts Pinterest | http://pinterest.com/laurelann/bga-crafts/
Our Pinterest Board of recycling ideas, crafts, tips, and everything green. Maintained by BGA members.
Our Pinterest Board of recycling ideas, crafts, tips, and everything green. Maintained by BGA members.