Interior Care's Going Green Monthly Tips

 

Tip # 1 – Business Cell Phone Use:

The electronics industry reports that over 150,000 million cell phones with batteries are tossed each year in Canada and the United States.  

Green Tips on Maintaining Cell Phone Battery Life:

• Cell phones are fully charged after two hours so don’t charge them over night
• Heat reduces the lifecycle of cell phone batteries and overnight charging generates heat
• Keep your cell phone out of the direct sun in the summer for longer battery life
• Reduce your LCD brightness to save on battery charging
• Turn the phone off when not in use to save energy
• Playing games on the cell phones uses battery life

Tip # 2 - Lower Your Office Electronic Waste Level

Old office computers and printers have components parts that are hazardous to the environment when they are sent to land fill sites. (examples: mercury, lead, cadmium)

Green Tips on Discarding Old Office Equipment:

• Talk to your Building Maintenance Provider about a recycling program
• Work with your computer supplier to take back old equipment to be refurbished
• Make electronic waste a part of your Going Green Program and recycle radios, VCR’s copiers, answering machines working with your Building Maintenance provider
• Ask for verification that all electronic equipment was recycled in an appropriate manner

Tip # 3 – Reduce your Bacteria in Office Kitchens:

Reused office cleaning sponges contain bacteria which are a toxic and harm full to employees.

Green Tips on Reducing Bacteria in Office Kitchens from Sponges:

• Do not use antibacterial or antimicrobial chemicals to clean sponges as they contain pesticide
• Wring sponges out after each use, and, between uses, keep them as dry as possible
• Disinfect sponges at least once a week by boiling them in water for three minutes or more, or soaking them in water with a splash of bleach or hydrogen peroxide. You can also pop them in the microwave for a minute or two.
• Buy plant-derived, biodegradable cellulose sponges as your first choice
• Alternatively skip the sponge altogether and stick to washable, reusable dish towels
• Get your office cleaning provider to disinfect sponges as a part of their work