Weekly green topic: Green workplace

Back when I worked a nine-to-fiver, I liked to rescue used paper with a clean side for reuse. At first, I just loaded the one-side-used paper into the regular paper trays -- which a lone woman, among the many I shared the printer with, didn't like. So then I put the pre-loved paper into the manual load tray. Everyone else's print jobs defaulted to the regular tray, while mine defaulted to the manual. Voila -- Everyone happy, including some trees.

Small individual efforts aside, greening the workplace is tough because you often have to get "buy in" from people who might not care about the environment. In fact, many workplaces seem reluctant to go eco even if it'll save them money, simply because instituting change usually takes some initial time, and sometimes, up-front expense.

This week, I'm going to highlight some ways to green the workplace -- but I'm looking for your suggestions too. Had some success pushing your workplace in an eco-direction? Share your story in the comments, or email them to me: greenlagirl@gmail.com. I'm mainly interested in hearing about employee-initiated changes vs. changes instituted by employers -- simply because most of us fall into the employee category.

Some earlier tips to get you started on greening your workplace:

>> Tips on saving energy from Energy week will work for the workplace too. Green your computer use, unplug your gadgets, and of course, opt for CFL bulbs.

>> Start a recycling program at your workplace. Here's some more targeted information about recycling newspaper downtown.

>> Grow your green business by getting to eco-networking events.

>> Not happy with your un-green job? Find an eco job.

Update: Here's the roundup of posts from Green Workplace week.

Photos by brianhendrix and Adam Piontek via Flickr