How Green Is Your Business?
Recycling
Did you know that there are simple tasks
you can implement to make your business
“greener” and more environmentally
sustainable? All of Nantucket recycles,
and we have a tremendously high rate
of recycling our waste stream. But there
are more simple steps you can take to
be a “greener” business. Those areas
include actions taken in waste prevention,
purchasing, energy and water conservation,
community activities, and transportation.
Review this list and let us know how many
of these activities you perform on a regular
basis. Businesses and organizations that
achieve the highest level of performance will
be acknowledged as “Sustainable Chamber
Members.”
Waste Prevention
• Set copier and printer defaults to
two-sided.
• Regularly update/purge your mailing list.
• Contact catalog senders and others to
reduce bulk/duplicate mail.
• Reuse packaging and shipping materials.
• Use sustainable/recyclable/biodegradable
packaging.
• Offer reusable shopping bags.
• Replace individual containers with larger,
refillable dispensers.
• Install motion towel dispensers or air
dryers near sinks.
• Install motion-activated soap dispensers.
• Use permanent ware in the break room
(versus disposable).
• Turn off lights when not in use and
at the end of the business day.
114 • 2016 Official Guide to Nantucket
• Recycle/reuse paper.
• Recycle/reuse glass.
• Recycle/reuse aluminum and other metals.
• Recycle plastic.
• Recycle boxes/cardboard.
• Recycle pallets.
• Recycle toner and inkjet cartridges.
• Use back side of “extra” copies for notes
or internal memos.
• Design marketing materials to require
no envelope.
• Recycle or properly dispose of all used
batteries.
• Distribute instructions on recycling to staff.
• Compost food and landscape waste.
Purchasing
• Purchase office copy paper with at least
30% recycled content.
• Print letterhead and business cards on
100% recycled stock.
• Purchase toilet paper, paper towels, and
tissues with at least 30% recycled post-
consumer waste.
• Purchase and use safer, more eco-friendly
alternatives for janitorial, pest control or
facility maintenance.
• Purchase recycled/re-manufactured toner
cartridges.
• Purchase biodegradable or compostable
“to go” food containers.
• Purchase more materials in bulk.
• Purchase used furniture, equipment or
materials.
• Exchange or donate unwanted furniture,
equipment, scrap materials, etc.
• Purchase from other “green” vendors,
suppliers or service providers.
• Purchase more materials and supplies
locally to reduce transportation emissions.