Mary Vahle
E227 Global Solutions February 20, 2015
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint
Mary Vahle
E227 Global Solutions February 20, 2015
Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………….1

Reducing office waste1
Creating a Recycling Program1
Buy Recycled Materials1

Renewable Energy………………………………………………………………………...2 Install Smart Power Strips…………………………………………………………...2 Utilizing Motion Sensors and Timers………...….…………………………………..2

Becoming Globally Efficient3
Ensuring That Tires Are Properly Recycled3
Creating Better Energy Efficiency in Trucks3

References…………………………………………………………………………………

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Introduction

E227 Global Solutions has been committed to the research and development of green technologies. We are also dedicated to providing “greener” options to our customers. However, the company does not use many green practices internally.

Reducing Office Waste

We have a responsibility for the waste we produce and the proper disposal of such waste. While creating a recycling program internally is a great start, we can’t stop there. We must also reduce the amount of waste that is produced. Recycling and reducing waste can reduce operating costs and result in savings in waste collection.

Creating a Recycling and Reduction Program

Nearly 77% of all office waste can be recycled. By implementing a recycling program, the company takes a small step towards becoming greener. Color coded recycling bins can be set up within the office. For example, blue for paper, green for plastic and red for glass. These bins should be set up in centralized locations such as hallways, break rooms, and meeting rooms.

Employees should be directed to print on both sides of the paper. This can drastically cut the amount of paper used, which in turn can save the company money when it comes to purchasing. Also, ensuring that paper that has only been printed on one side is reused in printers or as scratch paper can assist in eliminating unnecessary paper waste. There is also a need to reuse envelopes and boxes whenever possible. Doing this can eliminate the amount of envelopes and boxes purchased, which in turn saves the company more money in the long term.

A triple sort recycling station can cost approximately $300. This is recommended for areas such as break and meeting rooms. Desk side bins can start at approximately $7.00 and up. Desk side bins will help employees begin the habit of recycling. A larger bin for paper only is recommended at all printer stations. It is also best practice to install bins for confidential paper only at printer stations. These bins can start at approximately $80.00.

Buy Recycled Materials

The best way to start buying recycled materials is to make a list of office supplies that are used every day. This list should consist of paper products, such as printer paper, note pads, envelopes, and cardboard packaging materials.

Renewable Energy

Exploring the options that are available with renewable energy can assist in reducing the company’s carbon footprint even more. Lighting accounts for about 20% of energy use buildings.

Commercial Buildings Primary Energy End Use Splits (2010)

Installing Smart Power Strips

Many electronic devices continue to draw power from the outlet even when they are powered off. Smart power strips have the ability to monitor power usage and adjust the flow of current to the amount required. They also protect the connected devices from power surges. These smart strips actively monitor the power consumption of the devices that are plugged in to one of the sockets. When one of the devices is not in use or powered off, the sensors within the design shut down the socket.

Most of these smart strips also allow for a time delay that can range from thirty seconds to thirty minutes. When a device is only used for a few minutes every hour, setting the delay will prevent the strip from shutting down the power supply completely. They deal with power surges. The smart strip power strips can start at approximately $25.00 but the savings are noticeable.

Utilizing Motion Sensors and Timers

Motion sensors control lighting in briefly used rooms, such as meeting rooms. These sensors will turn off lights a few moments after the room has cleared, reducing electricity usage. Installing motion sensors can result in a 55% energy reduction. Utilizing these sensors in restrooms can result in a 50% energy reduction. There is also the possibility of utility rebates with the local utility company. This will be something that should be checked in to. Timers can be set up to automatically switch lighting and equipment off at a specified time, such as the end of the business day.

Becoming Globally Efficient

Becoming globally efficient doesn’t just mean to become capable of taking the company products and services global, it means taking the reduction of our carbon footprint efforts farther than just in the United States. It means taking these efforts and incorporating them in to our local and foreign businesses.

Ensuring That Tires are Recycled Properly

According to the EPA and the Rubber Manufacturers Association, around 290 million tires are discarded in the United States each year. About 80% of these are reused or recycled in some way. These tires can be turned in to tire-derived fuel (TDF) and it’s possible that there are possible uses for this fuel within our company.

Our distribution center uses several trucks to transfer our products. The tires on these trucks eventually will wear out and will need to be replaced. When this happens, we need to ensure that these tires are being recycled properly. There are numerous uses for recycled tires, such as ground cover for safer playgrounds, roadway curbing, sidewalk materials, and road material.

Creating Better Energy Efficiency in Trucks

Our company contributes to the professional development opportunities in the field of engineering and robotics therefore, we should be able to host an annual conference that centers on ways to make our trucks more energy efficient. By having this topic as the central focus of the conference, we open the floor to new and different perspectives on what would work and what won’t.

Some trucks can be fitted with solar panels that can assist in powering the electric motors. Also, creating a more aerodynamic and smooth truck body, we can reduce the drag on the truck itself and this could in turn increase fuel efficiency.

References

The Greening of the Interior - Energy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.doi.gov/archive/greening/energy/occupy.html

How Your Business Can Go Green Without Going Bust - Green Homes - MOTHER EARTH NEWS. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/how-your-business-can-go-green-zbcz1502.aspx

Lighting Efficiency | Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.c2es.org/technology/factsheet/LightingEfficiency

Recycling Tires. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/recyclingtires/

Residential & Commercial Overview | Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.c2es.org/energy/use/residential-commercial