In this election year, the candidates are harping on some major issues, including global warming and the environment. As a resident of Ann Arbor, I see and hear all about “green” efforts in construction and read about the values of buying local, organic food. As just one person out of 6 billion, how can I make a difference? Yes, I recycle as much as possible, use reusable bags to tote my lunch back and forth to the office, and try to carpool or walk as much as possible, but how can I make a bigger impact?

Then I took a better look at our office practices, and realized that as a company, we employ easy, everyday solutions to help reduce, reuse and recycle. We’re always on the lookout to improve our processes and decrease our consumption.

Here’s just a few ways our small office has gone green:

1. We installed a Culligan Reverse Osmosis filter in our sink. Instead of offering clients water bottles, we offer them crisp, clean-tasting water in a reusable cup or mug.

2. We use General Organic Services to clean our office; they use non-toxic products, HEPA filtered vacuums, reusable microfiber cloths, and more to clean offices and homes, and their service and value are excellent.

3. We love alternative transportation! Between the six team members, we carpool, ride the bus, walk or bike to work. No one comes in a car solo downtown, and we logged tons of miles in the Commuter Challenge for the getDowntown program. When we go to meetings, we either walk or share a ride, and we always walk to lunch–we are lucky to have so many great restaurants (like Jerusalem Garden, Seva, Sabor Latino, No Thai!, Cafe Habana, Arbor Brewing Company, Kosmo’s) and coffee shops (Espresso Royale, Primo) near our office. We also walk to the Farmer’s Market in Kerrytown to buy locally-grown produce and frequent Michigan farmers’ goods at places like Arbor Farms and Fresh Seasons Market.

4. We always print double-sided when a physical copy is needed, we have a water saving toilet, we turn off our lights when the sun shines in our front windows, and we all use reusable coffee mugs for our caffeine fixes.

Take a look at the methods your office uses, and I’m sure you will find simple, small ways to save energy, water and fuel. If your office does something cool, let me know!

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