How Green Is Your Workplace?

HOUSTON, Sept. 12, 2011 - American homeowners know how to "Think Green." Whether choosing Energy Star appliances or selecting more energy efficient lighting, millions of people are incorporating energy efficiency into their personal habits and purchasing decisions. Now a leading energy company is encouraging its customers to take those same "green" principles and apply them to their business life as well. MXenergy, a Constellation Company and a leader in the sustainability movement, strives to educate and inform customers about energy efficiency as part of the company's continuing commitment to energy conservation. "All across America we see people working to improve their home energy efficiency," says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy managing director of marketing. "Yet, we are not necessarily seeing those same strides on the corporate front. There are so many relatively simple changes which can have such a dramatic impact on office energy usage." MXenergy "Green Office" Tips Power Down: Check to make sure you are maximizing your computer's energy efficiency settings. Turn off the computer at night or when not in use for long periods of time. Encourage your office to convert to more energy efficient lighting and to turn off lights when not in use. Quit Pushing Paper: When at all possible, "go digital." Eliminate as much printed paper as possible. When it is necessary to print a hard copy, print double-sided and make sure your office is recycling ink and toner cartridges as well as purchasing recycled paper and remanufactured ink and toner. Take A Break: The company break room can be an excellent starting point for a green campaign. If not already in place, ask for recycling containers to be made available. Switch to Fair Trade organic coffee and recyclable or reusable utensils and cups. Encourage the use of non-toxic cleaning supplies. Rather than heading out to lunch or ordering in, bring lunch from home in reusable containers. This not only reduces energy consumption but packaging waste as well. Cut the Travel: Telecommuting, carpooling and video-conferencing are all excellent ways to reduce individual and corporate carbon footprints. According to Treehugger.com, over $8 billion in gas could be saved annually if every car in the U.S. simply added one additional passenger to its commute. "Creating a more eco-friendly work environment doesn't have to be costly or time-intensive," says Kass. "Something as simple as adding a desk plant to improve air quality or choosing to host a meeting via video-conferencing rather than paying for plane travel can make a difference. It isn't about the size of the change, it is simply about making the decision to start the process that is so important."

Melvin Wylie