Build a greener office with these 5 ideas

Creating a greener office is a great way to simultaneously save money and help the environment. Some small businesses assume that going green takes too much effort, but that’s hardly the case. Here are a handful of quick and simple ways to make your office greener.


1.    Use double-sided printing whenever possible

Setting your printer and/or copier’s default mode to double-sided printing automatically cuts down on the amount of paper used in your office.  This is an incredibly simple step. And if anybody ever needs to utilize the one-sided printing feature, he or she can quickly change the setting.

2.    Use a water delivery service

Getting rid of bottled water in your office can have an enormous impact. Consuming bottled water is not only wasteful it can also be unhealthy. Plastic is made using Bisphenol A (BPA) which contains harmful levels of estrogen and has been declared a toxic substance by some countries. Cutting back on that habit eliminates both waste and possible health risks.

3.    Turn lights and machines off when they’re not being used

While this may seem like an obvious way to be greener, many people overlook its necessity. Some people think that it’s more efficient to leave computers and other machines on overnight, but it’s far more wasteful than anything else. If you can afford to install motion sensors, they are always a great option as well.


4.    Use recycled and recyclable products when you can

Almost any paper product can be found in recycled versions at major office supply retailers. While they’re much better for the environment, they are typically comparable in price to non-recycled versions.


Also, if you must use disposable plates and cups, try to get recyclable or compostable options. It’s not enough to simply buy recyclable products, it’s vital to have an easy-to-follow recycling program. Stress to your employees the necessity of recycling those products, otherwise there’s a good chance they’ll end up in the trash.


5.    Cut down on commuting

If you have a company filled with commuters, it can be very helpful to implement some sort of carpool matching service that connects employees who live near one another. Offering parking incentives or other bonuses to people who carpool is an excellent way to generate interest in the program.


These are all simple and inexpensive ways to make your office greener and to ensure that your business has less of an impact on the environment. If you’re interested in finding more ways to green your business, take a look at this article.

Keep your keyboard clean with these tips

Most of us are familiar with the rumor that our keyboard could be dirtier than a toilet seat. While that statement is startling, many wonder if it’s in fact true. While levels of germs vary from keyboard to keyboard, some have shown higher levels than those on a toilet seat, which is a frightening fact.


If that alone doesn’t make you want to clean your keyboard, the fact that you use it on a daily basis should be. The germs that accumulate due to sickness, food, and just everyday bacteria can quickly add up and spread to other items on your desk. Luckily, we have some tips that can help you clean your keyboard quickly and effectively.


Detach the keyboard

Regardless of whatever cleaning method you’re using, it’s always important to disconnect your keyboard first. Failing to do so could cause your computer to be damaged. It could also cause you to accidentally type some things or perform actions on your machine that you didn’t mean to.


For a quick fix

Try utilizing a can of compressed air to get out any loose debris that has gathered inside your keyboard. We’ve all seen how dirty it gets beneath those keys, and this eliminates the majority of that dirt in just a few seconds.


Turn the keyboard upside down and spray the compressed air onto the keys. Then tap the keyboard on a flat surface a few times to get rid of everything that came loose. Follow that up by swiping the edges of the keys with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to get rid of the majority of the germs.


For a more thorough cleaning

If you are aiming to do more than just remove the loose dirt, a thorough cleaning is in order. You can start by gently prying up all of the keys with a screwdriver or something similar.


Once the keys have been removed, you should utilize the air compressor to get out all of the loose debris. Follow that up by swabbing everything with a damp cloth and cleaning the keys individually with the isopropyl alcohol.


After a spill

If you just need to know what to do after you’ve spilled on your keyboard, it’s simple. Immediately unplug the keyboard, turn it upside down and use a cloth to soak up all of the excess liquid. Then leave the keyboard upside down for as long as possible to make sure it is completely dry.


For more tips on cleaning your keyboard check out this how-to guide.