Dixie Somers

Recycling is becoming an increasingly big part of business. The obvious advantages are the environmental good coming from the practice and how companies can reuse materials. However, it also makes good business sense to try recycling whenever you can. Many people like to patronize establishments that they know are going for sound recycling methods. Here are a few of the more creative ways certain industries are trying to up their recycling game.
Postage
If your business ships any sorts of goods and packages, you will need a lot of postage each day. It is difficult to change the fundamentals of how postage works, but it isn't quite as hard to make a switch to kinds that you can reuse or recycle. You can find environmentally friendly envelopes and other items that you can reuse later. Being able to repurpose these items for another time cuts down on your overhead costs and moves you toward a more sustainable business model. In addition, keeping any mailing lists current will help you avoid sending out wasteful materials that won't reach current customers.
Plastics
Many businesses have to use plastic in some form. Depending on the industry in which you work, these materials might be a central part of your sales. Instead of throwing old things out when you make changes or improvements to your business model, you can donate them for use in other forms. Companies like bionicyarn.com even make this a central part of their mission. They'll take recycled plastics and transform them into other materials that can be just as durable and useful as the original components.
Furniture
It doesn't matter what kind of business you run or what you are selling when it comes to furniture. You and your employees need places to sit, gather, take breaks, and do your work efficiently. Many pounds of office furniture can wind up in landfills each month. You can help solve this issue. The various plastics and pieces of wood that comprise a lot of office furniture can be recycled into new components with relative ease. Many necessary changes to your business can result in old furniture moving out, but try to put those parts where they can do more good for professionals just like you.
Electronics
Technology changes all the time, and you have to keep up with the upgrades. If you need to get rid of things like old computers, there are a few ways you can go about it. Checking to see if the manufacturer has some kind of recycling program of their own should be your first step. Local supply stores might help you recycle what the industry calls e-waste. In addition, you might have some machines that still work well and could serve as donations.
Your company might have specific industry guidelines it needs to meet for sustainability. It isn't always simple to reach these goals, but a little creative thinking could help you meet and even surpass these benchmarks before you know it. It is also worth it to consider how you can move away from products you need to recycle at all. If you work in an office environment, you might be throwing out a lot of empty pens. Consider switching to reusable versions to improve sustainability.

Saving the planet is usually something we can all get on board with. Unfortunately, many of us just simply don't know where to start. We're going to share with you five easy habits you can start doing today to do your part to help save the planet.
Use Reusable Shopping Bags
One trip to the store, and suddenly you have a bunch of plastic bags that typically get tossed in the garbage. You can completely eliminate your use of plastic bags by investing in some sturdy reusable shopping bags. These are perfect for throwing in the car. Many even come with a thermal lining to ensure that your items stay warm or cool during transportation.
Recycle
This habit is an obvious one that many people simply skip over. Recycling helps to ensure that we utilize fewer new resources to produce the products that we need. Take the time to put the recycling bin in a convenient place. One of the biggest reasons that people fail to recycle daily is simply because the garbage is conveniently close. You can change that in an instant.
Invest in Tupperware
Tupperware should be an investment that is well worth your money. Many people tend to rely on plastic bags to pack their lunches. Each day, they throw away the plastic bag and pull out a new one. This is extremely unnecessary when there is Tupperware that can do the same job even better. You can find all different sized Tupperware containers that can ensure you are living sustainably. From sandwich containers to bowls, Tupperware has every size you need to pack the food that you love in a safe and reusable manner.
Program Your Thermostat Correctly
Many homeowners have a programmable thermostat that they can easily set to adjust the temperature in their home. Take a moment and program your thermostat to reduce its efforts while no one is home. In the wintertime, you can set your thermostat to a lower temperature throughout the day and have it kick up the heat to a more comfortable temperature shortly before you arrive home.
Carpool
Using a car to get to work everyday uses a lot of fuel. That fuel lets off harmful emissions that contribute to environmental problems. One way to help reduce your impact on the planet is to carpool. You may find carpool groups in your local area that drive to other areas in a nearby town. Or, you may simply decide to carpool with a friend from work.
Saving the planet can be done with a combination of many little steps. The above are just five of the many smart steps you can take to do your part. Talk with a local organization, like Sustainability for Life, to learn about what else you can do. The more habits you stack on top of one another, the more you can make a real difference in the world.

Recycling is becoming an increasingly big part of business. The obvious advantages are the environmental good coming from the practice and how companies can reuse materials. However, it also makes good business sense to try recycling whenever you can. Many people like to patronize establishments that they know are going for sound recycling methods. Here are a few of the more creative ways certain industries are trying to up their recycling game.
Postage
If your business ships any sorts of goods and packages, you will need a lot of postage each day. It is difficult to change the fundamentals of how postage works, but it isn't quite as hard to make a switch to kinds that you can reuse or recycle. You can find environmentally friendly envelopes and other items that you can reuse later. Being able to repurpose these items for another time cuts down on your overhead costs and moves you toward a more sustainable business model. In addition, keeping any mailing lists current will help you avoid sending out wasteful materials that won't reach current customers.
Plastics
Many businesses have to use plastic in some form. Depending on the industry in which you work, these materials might be a central part of your sales. Instead of throwing old things out when you make changes or improvements to your business model, you can donate them for use in other forms. Companies like bionicyarn.com even make this a central part of their mission. They'll take recycled plastics and transform them into other materials that can be just as durable and useful as the original components.
Furniture
It doesn't matter what kind of business you run or what you are selling when it comes to furniture. You and your employees need places to sit, gather, take breaks, and do your work efficiently. Many pounds of office furniture can wind up in landfills each month. You can help solve this issue. The various plastics and pieces of wood that comprise a lot of office furniture can be recycled into new components with relative ease. Many necessary changes to your business can result in old furniture moving out, but try to put those parts where they can do more good for professionals just like you.
Electronics
Technology changes all the time, and you have to keep up with the upgrades. If you need to get rid of things like old computers, there are a few ways you can go about it. Checking to see if the manufacturer has some kind of recycling program of their own should be your first step. Local supply stores might help you recycle what the industry calls e-waste. In addition, you might have some machines that still work well and could serve as donations.
Your company might have specific industry guidelines it needs to meet for sustainability. It isn't always simple to reach these goals, but a little creative thinking could help you meet and even surpass these benchmarks before you know it. It is also worth it to consider how you can move away from products you need to recycle at all. If you work in an office environment, you might be throwing out a lot of empty pens. Consider switching to reusable versions to improve sustainability.

Recycling is becoming an increasingly big part of business. The obvious advantages are the environmental good coming from the practice and how companies can reuse materials. However, it also makes good business sense to try recycling whenever you can. Many people like to patronize establishments that they know are going for sound recycling methods. Here are a few of the more creative ways certain industries are trying to up their recycling game.
Postage
If your business ships any sorts of goods and packages, you will need a lot of postage each day. It is difficult to change the fundamentals of how postage works, but it isn't quite as hard to make a switch to kinds that you can reuse or recycle. You can find environmentally friendly envelopes and other items that you can reuse later. Being able to repurpose these items for another time cuts down on your overhead costs and moves you toward a more sustainable business model. In addition, keeping any mailing lists current will help you avoid sending out wasteful materials that won't reach current customers.
Plastics
Many businesses have to use plastic in some form. Depending on the industry in which you work, these materials might be a central part of your sales. Instead of throwing old things out when you make changes or improvements to your business model, you can donate them for use in other forms. Companies like bionicyarn.com even make this a central part of their mission. They'll take recycled plastics and transform them into other materials that can be just as durable and useful as the original components.
Furniture
It doesn't matter what kind of business you run or what you are selling when it comes to furniture. You and your employees need places to sit, gather, take breaks, and do your work efficiently. Many pounds of office furniture can wind up in landfills each month. You can help solve this issue. The various plastics and pieces of wood that comprise a lot of office furniture can be recycled into new components with relative ease. Many necessary changes to your business can result in old furniture moving out, but try to put those parts where they can do more good for professionals just like you.
Electronics
Technology changes all the time, and you have to keep up with the upgrades. If you need to get rid of things like old computers, there are a few ways you can go about it. Checking to see if the manufacturer has some kind of recycling program of their own should be your first step. Local supply stores might help you recycle what the industry calls e-waste. In addition, you might have some machines that still work well and could serve as donations.
Your company might have specific industry guidelines it needs to meet for sustainability. It isn't always simple to reach these goals, but a little creative thinking could help you meet and even surpass these benchmarks before you know it. It is also worth it to consider how you can move away from products you need to recycle at all. If you work in an office environment, you might be throwing out a lot of empty pens. Consider switching to reusable versions to improve sustainability.

As climate change continues to be an important topic of discussion in today’s world, industrial facilities and other businesses are having to pay much closer attention to air quality and emission standards. Since these standards are regulated by the EPA and meant to slow the release of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants, failure to meet required standards can sometimes result in heavy fines and other penalties. To ensure your business is meeting emission standards, take the following steps. Make sure you know the rules and regulations of the EPA Clean Air Act, perform regular preventative maintenance, take advantage of technology, and incorporate training seminars into your workflow. By following these tips, you will be able to make sure that your company is staying below emission limits.
Know the Rules
The most obvious and important thing is to know the rules and regulations regarding emissions. Since most emission standards are regulated by the EPA Clean Air Act, it is important that you and others at your business stay up-to-date on the latest state and federal rules and regulations regarding emission standards. Since all businesses are different in some ways, the Clean Air Act does provide for some flexibility based on cost considerations and the feasibility for a business to use certain types of newer technologies, so keep this in mind. Take time to talk to experts and review what your business must do to remain within emission standards.
Have Regular Preventative Maintenance
The easiest way to keep emissions low is to perform regular maintenance on your equipment to keep them running at peak efficiency. If you oversee an industrial facility that relies on burners, making preventative maintenance a top priority will increase your chances of continually meeting emission standards. To have the best chance of meeting established guidelines, consider working with a burner service to have a customized maintenance plan created for your boiler operations. By having a plan that includes an annual inspection and other services, you can avoid unexpected problems. This will also prevent potential injuries and leaks.
Take Advantage of Technology
Along with having a maintenance plan for your boiler and related operations, also consider taking advantage of the latest technology when applicable. While it may have a high cost initially, the long-term benefits will far outweigh any initial spending by you and your company. As an example, many industrial facilities are now making excellent use of air monitoring equipment installed on roofs and other locations. In doing so, technicians can constantly monitor air quality levels to see if your facility is meeting established emission standards. Look into what technological innovations are available to help you meet emission standards.
Training Seminars
While you and your facility may have the latest equipment, it will not mean much if you and your employees are not properly trained in its use. Therefore, be willing to incorporate training seminars and workshops into your company. Since the technology associated with boilers and other industrial equipment is always changing, attending these training classes will be very useful for maintenance personnel, engineers, and others.
Since you and your company want to do everything possible to meet emission standards in order to protect the environment as well as avoid hefty fines, implementing these strategies will be a smart business decision.

Recycling is becoming an increasingly big part of business. The obvious advantages are the environmental good coming from the practice and how companies can reuse materials. However, it also makes good business sense to try recycling whenever you can. Many people like to patronize establishments that they know are going for sound recycling methods. Here are a few of the more creative ways certain industries are trying to up their recycling game.
Postage
If your business ships any sorts of goods and packages, you will need a lot of postage each day. It is difficult to change the fundamentals of how postage works, but it isn't quite as hard to make a switch to kinds that you can reuse or recycle. You can find environmentally friendly envelopes and other items that you can reuse later. Being able to repurpose these items for another time cuts down on your overhead costs and moves you toward a more sustainable business model. In addition, keeping any mailing lists current will help you avoid sending out wasteful materials that won't reach current customers.
Plastics
Many businesses have to use plastic in some form. Depending on the industry in which you work, these materials might be a central part of your sales. Instead of throwing old things out when you make changes or improvements to your business model, you can donate them for use in other forms. Companies like bionicyarn.com even make this a central part of their mission. They'll take recycled plastics and transform them into other materials that can be just as durable and useful as the original components.
Furniture
It doesn't matter what kind of business you run or what you are selling when it comes to furniture. You and your employees need places to sit, gather, take breaks, and do your work efficiently. Many pounds of office furniture can wind up in landfills each month. You can help solve this issue. The various plastics and pieces of wood that comprise a lot of office furniture can be recycled into new components with relative ease. Many necessary changes to your business can result in old furniture moving out, but try to put those parts where they can do more good for professionals just like you.
Electronics
Technology changes all the time, and you have to keep up with the upgrades. If you need to get rid of things like old computers, there are a few ways you can go about it. Checking to see if the manufacturer has some kind of recycling program of their own should be your first step. Local supply stores might help you recycle what the industry calls e-waste. In addition, you might have some machines that still work well and could serve as donations.
Your company might have specific industry guidelines it needs to meet for sustainability. It isn't always simple to reach these goals, but a little creative thinking could help you meet and even surpass these benchmarks before you know it. It is also worth it to consider how you can move away from products you need to recycle at all. If you work in an office environment, you might be throwing out a lot of empty pens. Consider switching to reusable versions to improve sustainability.

You don’t have to invest in a hybrid or electric car to make your vehicle greener. Certain driving habits, proper vehicle maintenance and a few small changes or accessories can go a long way to improving a car’s efficiency and reducing its overall carbon footprint. The best news of all is that these green car tips are likely to save you money in the long run by reducing your need for fuel or expensive repairs.


 
Control Speed

About 75 percent of a vehicle’s carbon emissions are due to the fuel they burn. There are many ways to reduce a car’s fuel consumption. Two of the easiest ways that require little more than a change in habits is speed and car weight.

Reducing speed is one of the best ways to improve fuel economy. This is because of some simple physics known as liquid thermodynamics. Basically, as a car moves through the air, it is compressing that air just a little bit. This creates drag that tries to slow the car down. The faster a car is going, the more it compresses the air and the more power it needs to get through that air. No matter how aerodynamic the vehicle is, this air compression increases remarkably at about 60 miles per hour. Those speed limit signs aren’t just a matter of safety. Following them will improved your MPG.

Consistent speed is also important for mpg. Gasoline engines are extremely inefficient when they are accelerating and work best when they run at a continuous speed. This is one reason that freeway driving tends to result in higher mpg than town driving. Every time you hit the brakes, you are wasting some of the car’s energy. By driving moderately, and avoiding a lot of starting and stopping or fast acceleration, you can improve fuel economy by quite a bit. Safe driving also happens to be better and more efficient driving.


 
Reduce Weight

Your car’s weight has a major impact on how much fuel it consumes. Every 100 pounds of weight tends to reduce fuel efficiency by about 2 percent. Stripping off extra racks and cargo containers and emptying out the trunk of unnecessary stuff may have a surprising effect on fuel efficiency. The impact of weight is more noticeable the smaller the engine.


 
Be Mindful of Your Tires

The next biggest factor in fuel efficiency is the amount of friction created by your tires. Friction creates drag that requires more energy to overcome. Unless you need heavy-duty tire tread for off-road or harsh weather conditions, it is most beneficial to equip tires with low-resistance tread. This may mean switching your tires seasonally. Equip low-resistance tires in the summer and switch to heavier tread in the winter only when you need it.

Tire inflation is also a critical factor. As a tire loses pressure, more of the tire is pressed against the roadway, and it creates more drag and friction to overcome. Underinflated tires have other problems as well. The tire is going to wear more quickly and require replacement. If the tire becomes severely underinflated, it is a road hazard that may cause a dangerous blowout or loss of vehicle control.


 
Regular Maintenance

For many people, car maintenance is like a pass or fail test. If something breaks completely and the car won’t run or the check engine light comes on, then it’s time to take it in for service. Unfortunately, the truth is that most cars don’t break down completely unless something serious or catastrophic happens. Instead, the car’s systems slowly wear down and become less and less efficient before finally breaking.

Proper maintenance and tune-ups ensure that a car continues to run in its most efficient state. Problems with the fuel and exhaust system or coolant system may not immediately cause a breakdown or even a check engine light, but they are still causing problems.

You can help ensure that your engine continues to run efficiently by using fuel additives that clean the engine as it runs. States and companies vary on their laws regarding fuel additives. California tends to regulate more additives, but most states have little to no regulation on additives.


 
Be Smart with Oil

Used engine oil is a huge factor in the environmental friendliness of your car. The first step is to only get an oil change when you actually need it. Most synthetic oils are designed to run at least 10,000 miles or 6 months, and the highest qualities may last even longer. Mechanic stickers suggesting oil changes every 4,000 miles or less or just trying to keep their income, wasting oil and your money. The only exception is with non-synthetic oils that have much shorter lives and should probably be avoided anyway.

When you do change your oil, be sure that it is recycled properly. Most municipalities offer free oil recycling with garbage collection, but the oil must be disposed of properly. It should not be included in regular garbage and it should never, ever be put down the drain or just spilled onto the street. In most areas, improper disposal is illegal and has steep fines.

Visit car dealerships in St George for more information on your specific car and how it can be made friendlier to the environment. By changing some of your basic habits and keeping your vehicle well-maintained, you can increase your fuel efficiency and reduce your car’s carbon footprint. You even stand to save quite a bit of money in the process.

Driving can have a hugely negative impact on your carbon footprint, and while we all strive to reduce our personal drain on the environment, there are some things we struggle to do without. While you work toward a world that lives in harmony with earth, there are some things you can do to reduce your car’s carbon footprint.
Share a Car
Most families have more than one car, and more often than not, each car is intended for the transportation of one person at a time. Getting rid of one car and sharing the other can greatly reduce your carbon footprint and save you money. If life with one car is not doable right now, try to carpool as much as possible and save the other car for emergencies only.
Trade Up
Trade in your gas guzzler for a more fuel efficient green vehicle. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll be saving money on gas as well. Check out the EPA’s site on green vehicles to help you make the best choice for your family.
Drive More Sensibly
The better you drive, the less gas you waste. Instead of hitting the gas, accelerate slowly and maintain a steady speed. That also includes not driving faster than you need to. These simple tips can improve your gas mileage by 33%, not to mention make the road safer for you and others.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance can also improve your carbon footprint. Simple acts like getting an engine tune up from a company like Natrad can keep your car running smoothly and keep it from emitting more CO2 than it should. Take it a step further and replace all of your filters at least once a year.
Air Up
Airing up your tires and keeping them inflated to the proper level can increase your fuel efficiency and save over 400 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Roll Down the Windows
Instead of cranking up the air, roll down the windows. Not only will this reduce your fuel consumption, but it will increase your happy mood. A little fresh air and vitamin D does good for the mind and body.
So many people live by the idea that, if we can never reduce our carbon footprint to a completely sustainable level, we shouldn’t bother trying. While it may be true that some pollution is inevitable, it is also true that we can make a difference and lessen the global impact one step at a time—and the first step is making eco-friendly choices in your own home.