Peachtree Product Team

[#1]

For the “greenest” day of the year, I want to take a minute and recycle some ideas for keeping the environment healthy.   ShariW posted a blog a while back about reducing fuel consumption, but there are many other ways you can help curb pollution, reduce waste and save money!   

While it may not be feasible for you to switch your company to solar or wind power just yet, there are some small things you can do.  For example, use a real coffee cup in the morning instead of Styrofoam.  Don’t throw away paper clips or file folders – reuse them.  Unplug electronics, even your cell phone charger, when they’re not in use.  It’s amazing how much these little things can save you in the long run.  Using this cool tool, you can calculate your energy consumption – be sure to explore the site for great energy quizzes, games and interesting facts.  And for more great ways to save, take a look at this list.   

How about reducing the paper that piles up?  In another blog, we’ve outlined ways to take your office paperless – including using the Add Attachments feature in Peachtree to keep track of documents.  Also in Peachtree, you can email forms and reports to keep from having to print them out.  And I found a great site that wants to help stop unsolicited delivery of White and Yellow Pages.   

We all know that computers don’t last forever.  But what do you do with those old CPUs and CRTs after they’ve been replaced?  There are quite a few electronics recycling options out there.  One local community is holding an Electronics Recycling Day – they say you can bring cell phones, PCs, printers, even cables and other items and they’ll take care of the rest.  You can browse through these links from the EPA to access similar activities in your area and get information about manufacturer and retailer programs, many of which are free and some that even pay you back.   

More sites to peruse:

EPA – What you can do – At the Office

EcoGeek

Earth Day.net – especially this page 

Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not an obnoxious tree-hugger (no matter what Mike says).  Yes, I do own a pair of Birkenstocks, but I don’t usually wear them in public.  And while I have been known to give dirty looks to those who toss soda cans in the trash, it’s not like I’m mean about it (but, for goodness sake, the recycle bin is just down the hall)! 

If you’ve taken steps at your home or business to GO GREEN, we’d like to hear about it – please send us your comments.  And Happy Earth Day to you!

Message Edited by JodiH on 04-22-2009 12:57 PM