Greening Your Office and Read tips for Greening Your Office

I read a statistic that 60% of paper in the United States is still not recycled. There is no excuse for this! Paper is EASY to recycle. When I talk to friends and colleagues about this, they shrug their shoulders and say, "We don't have a recycling program in our building."

So start one! Time is ticking! Office furniture may be challenging to recycle, file cabinets I can understand, but paper? Come on! Each employee should have a recycle bin at his/her desk and recycle every single scrap of paper that cannot be re-used (see my tips this week on re-using paper among other things). Items should be thrown in the trash ONLY as a last ditch option. It seems that too many people recycle paper on a whim. It needs to be a standard practice.

I heard a story about an office in New York City that ONLY had recycle bins at each desk. No trash can. If employees want to throw away trash, they have to go to a central location in the office. What a fabulous idea.

Green Tip:
Greening Your Office

» Read tips for Greening Your Office

Earth Day Should Be Every Day and Preserving the Earth

Last week, I went to an Earth Day rally that featured many fabulous speakers that kept me motivated to continue on my mission to make changes to the special event and meeting industries and the world in general. I then realized that these people were preaching to the choir. They don't need to sell me on anything. I'm on their band wagon! While I'm pretty darn green (some say "off the deep end green") I started to realize that I need to invite my friends who are light green and even brown to these rallies so that they can hear how critically important it is for us to start making serious changes NOW!

Our Earth is a gift to us and we need to be thankful for it, cherish it and take care of it. We have been doing a very bad job lately, just ask James Hansen from NASA, one of the speakers at last week's rally. He had very disturbing information to share with us. Essentially, we are on the road to the point of no return, but we can turn this ship around if we all get SERIOUS about changing the way we function. We need to make serious lifestyle changes NOW! Our disposable world (or should I say country?) that is all about convenience isn't good for our home we call Earth.

Make changes today and every day. Check out the tips listed under my Green Tip of the Week. Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends. Save the Earth.

Green Tip:
Preserving the Earth

The guys at Sunnyside Solar Energy put together a fabulous list of 12 Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Preserve the Earth. Read it. Do it. Share it with your friends and family. Now.

Environmentally Friendly Hotels

I've been doing a lot of traveling and staying at hotels lately. When I wrote my last blog entry, I had just returned from the ISES (International Special Events Society) Northeast Regional Education Conference in Providence, Rhode Island where I was a speaker. My topic was Green Events: A Standard, Not a Trend. I'm just trying to do my part about spreading the gospel of green and received lots of positive feedback. The movement is picking up momentum! Halleluiah! Praise the Lord!

Since then, I've traveled to Silver Thorne, Colorado, Dover, Delaware and New Orleans, Louisiana and I've experienced how different hotels are either diving in or merely dipping their toes into the green movement. Two properties featured compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their sleeping rooms, but one – a nice hotel -- had plastic cups instead of glass. Talk about a contradiction!

One of the properties was where I was producing a conference. It had a re-use your bed linen and towel program. Unfortunately, the housekeeping staff didn't seem to be towing the party line. For bed linens, I had to place a sign on my bed if I DIDN'T want my sheets changed. Wouldn't the more eco friendly alternative be to place the sign if I DID want my sheets changed? I surely don't need new sheets each day and since I'm usually in a hurry, remembering to place the sign on my bed to prevent the house keeping staff from removing my sheets can be a lot to ask! At home, I wash my sheets weekly (and on some occasions, less frequently depending on how chaotic my life is!).

The game plan for towels was that IF you wanted to reuse your towel, you should hang it on the rack. Others left in a heap on the floor would be changed. I dutifully hung up my towels, but they still took them away. The next day, I left a note indicating that I wanted to participate in the re-use your towel program. The morning housekeeper honored this request, but the staffer who handled the turn down service later that night didn't get the memo and took my towel away. I mentioned this to the sales director and she promised to speak with the house keeping staff.

From now on, I'm making a pledge to only stay at eco friendly hotels. And if I'm forced to stay at a semi-green or non-green hotel, I'll write a letter encouraging them to hop on the green band wagon.

Green Tip:
Environmentally Friendly Hotels

To locate an environmentally friendly hotel, go to www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com or www.greenhotels.com.

Stylish Bags Good for the Environment and Thoughts on Shopping Bags

I've stopped using or accepting bags when I go shopping. I bring my own canvas bags (I have about a dozen from conferences and other sources) which I store in my trunk. At first, I started out just using them at the grocery store, then I realized I needed to use them EVERYWHERE - the drug store, office supply store, clothing store and even restaurants.

The other night, I went to one of my favorite fast food places - Chipotle. I was getting a burrito for take out. All I need is the burrito - no condiments, no plastic ware (heaven forbid!) so lately I've been telling the cashier, "Don't worry about a bag." I usually get a funny look.

My fellow event producer friend Dave just told me that when he brings his canvas bag to the office supply store, the cashier thinks he is BUYING the bag. He has to explain that the bag is his. When I was at the drugstore the other day, I told the cashier before the purchase was over, "Don't worry about a bag. I'll just put it in here." as I pointed to my large, durable bag made of recycled plastic bags (go to www.jadeplanet.net). She heard me. She understood. But when the transaction was complete, her automatic reaction was to put the merchandise in a plastic bag. I understood. But I didn't use her bag.

I hope that soon, it will be automatic to ask a customer for THEIR bag and that those who DON'T have their own bag get a funny look.

Green Tip:
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment

CarrotSeed offers a line of reusable shopping bags, including Happy Bags which are made from the end-runs of mill lines. They are durable and fashionable (check them out online!) and come in nearly two dozen styles that are constantly being updated.

Bags can be customized for retailers or conferences, trade shows and retreats.

E-cycling My Old Computer and Electronics Recycling

I finally e-cycled my old computer and monitor. It was so easy. When my newest computer was shipped, the people at Dell included an e-cycle kit that included several packing slips with pre printed labels and straight forward information about how to pack up my old computer. All I had to do (okay, all my assistant had to do) was pack it up and then go online to arrange a pick up time with DHL. Dell paid for the shipping.

Luckily, I held on to my old computer boxes and their Styrofoam cushioning (my mother taught me well), but I could have used any box including the box from my new computer (which I also still have!).

Green Tip:
Electronics Recycling

Don't even think about sending your electronics to the landfill -- e-cycle them! To find a sustainable and socially just electronics recycling center near you, visit e-Steward.

Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders

Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders

Eco Endure offers 2 eco friendly name badge holders in the very universal 3' x 4' size. One is made of PLA film which is compostable and is made from corn (an annually renewable resource, folks!) as opposed to petrochemicals.

Their other name badge holder is made from biodegradable polymer. What? I had to break that down, too. I hope by now you know what biodegradable means. Polymer is "numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units." I'm still a little confused, but as long as it is biodegradable, I'm happy.

Eating Out and Eco Friendly Restaurants

On Sunday, I went to my hometown of Lancaster, PA to celebrate my dad's birthday. We went to a local restaurant housed in an old farm house that was built around 1790 - talk about reusing a good building! All of Lancaster is pretty darn conservative and it doesn't strike me as the greenest place in the country. In fact, I called it "the land of cows" and as you may or may not know, eating meat is not the greenest practice around, but that is a topic for another blog...

As a vegetarian, it's always a challenge to eat in my home town. Nonetheless, we all enjoyed a lovely meal and at the end, I was shocked and excited when my family members who opted to take home their leftovers were presented with what seemed to be an eco friendly container as opposed to the usual evil Styrofoam or plastic options many of us tend to see. I emailed the restaurant to commend them for their eco friendly choice and to encourage them to continue the practice.

I found out that the product is made of cellulose and biodegrades in 120 days. For more information, go to www.webstaurantstore.com. The produce line is Green Wave.

I hope the restaurant will continue to use this product and encourage other restaurateurs in the area to do the same. I'll be sure to spread the word myself.

So what can you do? If you encounter a Styrofoam or plastic container when you take your "doggie bag" home, email that restaurant and tell them to switch to an eco friendly alternative such as the one above. If we don't voice our dissatisfaction, the status quo with remain.

Green Tip:
To find an eco-friendly restaurant near you, visit the website of the Green Restaurant Association.

The GRA is a national non-profit organization which, among other things, enables you to search for green restaurants in your area. It also lists the number of environmental guidelines the restaurant engages in. Included on the list are restaurants and cafes, resorts and retreat centers, coffee and tea houses, bakeries, pubs, schools and universities and museums.

The Office and Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders

I have to laugh when I talk to someone who says they are green because they recycle. While recycling is a very green practice and the heart of the movement, there is more to being green than recycling!

Look at your office products. Are they made of recycled materials? About 6 months ago, I started looking at EVERYTHING in my office to determine if I was using the most eco-friendly option available. I had some work to do.

I purchased a desk calendar made of recycled products and my year at-a-glance calendar is also made of recycled materials. I no longer purchase disposable pens and have opted for Cross pens (choose whatever brand you like) and just pitch the refills. And just today, my 3 ring binders made of corrugated cardboard (not plastic) just arrived. Next, instead of purchasing my ink from a well-known office supply store, I plan to purchase eco-friendly toner and ink cartridges instead.

When I moved my office, I was looking for eco-friendly furniture. Much of it was out of my budget, so I went to the local antique store and struck it rich when I found an elegant vintage desk and matching chair made of oak. And the price was a steal. No new trees cut down for me.

So think twice the next time you place that order at the office supply store. Ask yourself, "Is there a better option?"

Green Tip:
Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders

Instead of using a 3-ring binder made of plastic materials, use one made of corrugated cardboard and is comprised of 35-38% recycled content. It's durable, recyclable and reusable.

Greening Our Hotels and A Place for Event Leftovers

lI wish more hotels would hop on the green bandwagon. Fairmont and Kimpton properties are leading the way, but I'm appalled at the lack of green initiatives at most other properties I visit. A re-use your towel and bed linen program is such a no-brainer and takes no effort on the part of the hotel other than printing signs (on recycled paper with soy or vegetable based ink, please!). Housekeeping staff replace towels only when a guest has placed them in the tub and only change bed linens every 3 days (unless the guest requests otherwise). Of course, as guests, if a hotel offers this program, we need to utilize it!

When I stayed at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal last August, I was elated that the lights in my room contained CFLs (compact fluorescent light bulbs) and there was a container for recycling office paper, newspaper, cans and bottles. Each day that I received a paper, it was not in a plastic bag, but a re-usable fabric bag. They also had a re-use your towel and bed linen program as well as many more impressive initiatives.

In October, when I stayed at the Omni in Chicago and their property at CNN Center in Atlanta two weeks ago, I was disappointed that there was no recycling to be found anywhere. Since I knew I wouldn't read my daily paper, I asked that it not be delivered to my room; however, somebody on staff didn't get that memo and I still received one each business day. Since there was no recycling in my sleeping room or anywhere else in the hotel, I took my newspapers and all office papers home with me to recycle there.

I wrote the Omni to tell them about my disappointment that they don't have a recycling program and received a prompt response from the Guest Services Manager that my concern would be forwarded to the GM. I really hope others write, too. If we don't voice our dissatisfaction with the status quo, they won't think anything is wrong and nothing will change.

Green Tip:
A Place for Event Leftovers

Don't know what to do with your leftover tote bags, volunteer t-shirts, flower arrangements, and food from your meeting and event? The folks at Special E will pick it up for you and either recycle it or deliver it to people in need. Your event must have over 100 people or more. They charge a fee to cover administrative costs and pick-up/delivery fees and base the price on the type, size and location of the program and the leftover items to be rescued.

Greening Our Airports and Airlines and Green Tips When Staying in a Hotel Room

Last week, I traveled from Baltimore to Atlanta for meetings of the International Special Events Society. One habit I have begun is to bring with me my trusty Sigg water bottle since I no longer purchase bottled water (if I can help it). I put in a little filtered water to last me until I get to Security and then when I get through, I purchase an evil plastic bottle of water. In the past, when I've been at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, I found one set of recycling containers in my concourse. I'd pour the water from the plastic bottle into my Sigg bottle and then immediately recycle the plastic. This time, the recycling was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until I was in line to board that I saw an airport employee and found out that the recycling bins were about 50 yards away at the far end of the concourse. No time to recycle.

Why don't airports put recycling containers right next to each and every trash can?

On my 2-hour flight to Atlanta, I didn't request any beverages. Do airlines recycle bottles and cans? My very green boyfriend asked this once and when he was told that his can of soda would not be recycled, he held on to it and recycled it at home. Bless his heart.

On my way back from Atlanta, as soon as I got off the escalator to my concourse, I noticed a HUGE paper recycling container...in a corner. That was the only recycling container I saw at Hartsfield. No recycling for cans or bottles or anything else.

On the plane, I brought my own travel mug and organic tea. I asked the flight attendant providing beverage service for some hot water and all was well with the world. No waste here.

I plan to write Hartsfield International Airport in Atlanta and BWI Thurgood Marshall about upping their recycling efforts. Unless we let them how unhappy we are, they'll think we are okay with the status quo.

Green Tip:
Green Tips When Staying in a Hotel Room

• If you hotel has a linen reuse program (re-use your towel, bedding not changed every day), participate in it!
  
  
• Set thermostat to 65 degrees
  
  
• When you are not in your room, turn off air conditioning, all lights, the television, radio and your laptop
  
  
• Reduce water usage by taking a shower instead of a bath
  
  
• Don't let the water run when brushing your teeth!
  
  
• Unplug your phone charger when not in use
  
  
• Don't leave the bathroom light on all night - bring your own nightlight
  
  
• If the hotel provides a newspaper each day and you don't plan to read it, request that it not be delivered to your room
  
  
• If the hotel has a recycling program for bottles, cans and mixed paper, participate in it! If it doesn't, bring the recycling home with you and recycle there!
  
  
• Support hotels that offer these programs - Kimpton and Fairmont properties have green initiatives. If your hotel does not have any green initiatives, write them and complain!
  
  
• Pick up at least 1 piece of litter every day

This list was inspired by Cisco's attendee tips for Cisco Live 2008

Flood Annapolis and If you can't recycle at home or your office, make it happen!

On Thursday, January 17th from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., I'm joining a group of activists to descend on Annapolis and demand that our elected officials find solutions to global warming. Maryland is one of the most vulnerable states when it comes to the effect of global warming. We need to demand that something is done now!

Green Tip:
If you can't recycle at home or your office, make it happen!

Don't be afraid to speak out! If you are unhappy with the recycling program for your jurisdiction or office building (or lack thereof), write your local officials and ask for change! Organize a petition within your neighborhood or office! There is no reason why we can't ALL recycle and reduce the amount of waste that goes into our overflowing landfills.

For information about recycling in your area, visit www.earth911.org.

Eliminating All the Stuff and The Story of Stuff

I recently moved my office and as a result, I've been in purge mode. I went through papers and magazines that I had hoped to read one day and finally realized it probably won't happen. I set aside those of critical importance that I am determined to read (what happened to that resolution to read 1 hour each day?).

I recycled paper that can't be used again and for paper that was only printed on one side, I made a stack that is now sitting at my printer for internal print jobs. I recycled magazines that are a few years old knowing that I will never have 2.3 seconds to look at them again.

The paper was easy to reuse and recycle, but the biggest cause of heart burn were all the tchotchkes - "stuff" that I picked up a trade shows, or sent by vendors, or received at an event or used at an event I once produced.

Do we really need all this STUFF??? Pens and post it notes are helpful, but think about the energy used to produce and ship this stuff only to have it end up in the landfill - many times after only one use. We are running out of earth on Mother Earth to accommodate all this stuff! Did you know that 99% of stuff is trashed in 6 months?

What am I going to do with it? Those that are still usable will go to my friend's kids -- unexpected gifts from Aunt Lori. Whoopie! For those that are re-giftable, I'm going to look on the website earth911.org to see if I can find a way to recycle it. And if not, my heartburn will return as the stuff goes to the landfill.

Green Tip:

Watch The Story of Stuff

I strongly urge you to take 20 minutes during your lunch break (if you get one) and watch this fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. It is VERY interesting, fun and funny to watch! It exposes the connections between the huge number of environmental and social issues and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.