Difference between revisions of "Envelopes"
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<small>return to [[GG Green Business Design Studio]]</small> | <small>return to [[GG Green Business Design Studio]]</small> | ||
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| + | [[Image:envelope reuse label.gif|right|250px]] | ||
We're trying to reduce, reuse or figure a way to recycle all types of envelopes used at United Way. In particular, we'll be looking at '''(1) letter and business-sized white envelopes''', '''(2) manila envelopes''' and '''(3) inter-office envelopes'''. | We're trying to reduce, reuse or figure a way to recycle all types of envelopes used at United Way. In particular, we'll be looking at '''(1) letter and business-sized white envelopes''', '''(2) manila envelopes''' and '''(3) inter-office envelopes'''. | ||
== Reduce == | == Reduce == | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Goal: Reduce the number of new envelopes the office is using.''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | * take a week and review all outgoing and ingoing mail and make note of stats | ||
| + | * teach people how to manage their info digitally | ||
* obtain envelopes on an as-needed basis from a central source that you have to walk to - it will make you think if you really need one, or if you can do without (1) (2) | * obtain envelopes on an as-needed basis from a central source that you have to walk to - it will make you think if you really need one, or if you can do without (1) (2) | ||
| + | * if you are going to buy envelopes, buy them with recycled content 20% or above (1) (2) (3) (see resource list below) | ||
* send information digitally -- if you receive something via traditional mail, see if you can take a minute to figure out if this could have been sent another way, and ask the sender to change his method next time (1) (2) (3) | * send information digitally -- if you receive something via traditional mail, see if you can take a minute to figure out if this could have been sent another way, and ask the sender to change his method next time (1) (2) (3) | ||
| − | ** I think low-hanging fruit is the inter-office envelope - spend one session brain-storming other ways of sending this information, and I think you could reduce the amount of these envelopes by at least | + | ** I think low-hanging fruit is the inter-office envelope - spend one session brain-storming other ways of sending this information, and I think you could reduce the amount of these envelopes by at least 90% (3) |
*** one idea: force yourself to get up and walk papers to someone else in the building if you must do it non-digitally - you'll get more exercise and it will cause you to send more digitally | *** one idea: force yourself to get up and walk papers to someone else in the building if you must do it non-digitally - you'll get more exercise and it will cause you to send more digitally | ||
| − | * when ordering, order a bit less than you normally do and see if you can make it work - we often use things just because they are there | + | * when ordering, order a bit less than you normally do and see if you can make it work - we often use things without thinking just because they are there (1) (2) (3) |
== Reuse == | == Reuse == | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Goal: Reuse envelopes that are coming in to the office.''' | ||
| + | |||
* save envelopes that come to you and reuse them for acceptable destinations (1) (2) | * save envelopes that come to you and reuse them for acceptable destinations (1) (2) | ||
** cover window with adhesive labels or mailing labels and reuse | ** cover window with adhesive labels or mailing labels and reuse | ||
| Line 20: | Line 31: | ||
** where people can find reused envelopes | ** where people can find reused envelopes | ||
* add 'Please Reuse' sticker to all envelopes, like [http://www.actionenvelope.com/ae/control/pleaseRecycle 'Please Recycle' sticker] | * add 'Please Reuse' sticker to all envelopes, like [http://www.actionenvelope.com/ae/control/pleaseRecycle 'Please Recycle' sticker] | ||
| + | * [http://www.ehow.com/how_4664372_reuse-envelopes-save-planet.html Reusing Envelopes] bossypants at eHow tells a number of ways to reuse envelopes, such as bookmarks, notepads, etc. | ||
== Recycle == | == Recycle == | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Goal: Recycle envelopes that have reached the limits of use. No envelopes should be thrown away in the office.''' | ||
| + | |||
* try to recycle only after an envelope is 'used up' - in other words, it has had more than one use (1) (2) (3) | * try to recycle only after an envelope is 'used up' - in other words, it has had more than one use (1) (2) (3) | ||
| + | * don't worry about the plastic window - it will be taken care of at the recycling center (1) (2) (3) | ||
* keep paper recycling close by your desk so you are not tempted to throw any paper away (1) (2) (3) | * keep paper recycling close by your desk so you are not tempted to throw any paper away (1) (2) (3) | ||
| Line 28: | Line 44: | ||
* [http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Envelopes/en_US/tech_info/tech_environ.html Dupont Tyvek envelopes] 100% recyclable; Dupont has a nationwide collection program for these envelopes, which are turned into other products. | * [http://www2.dupont.com/Tyvek_Envelopes/en_US/tech_info/tech_environ.html Dupont Tyvek envelopes] 100% recyclable; Dupont has a nationwide collection program for these envelopes, which are turned into other products. | ||
* [http://www.buyonlinenow.com/search.asp?keyword=recycled+envelopes&gclid=CIqavIb34JgCFSIgDQodiB3udg Recycled Envelopes] resource lists for buying new recycled envelopes | * [http://www.buyonlinenow.com/search.asp?keyword=recycled+envelopes&gclid=CIqavIb34JgCFSIgDQodiB3udg Recycled Envelopes] resource lists for buying new recycled envelopes | ||
| + | * [http://www.ecoenvelopes.com/index.php?page=products Eco Envelopes] | ||
| + | * [http://www.ehow.com/how_4664372_reuse-envelopes-save-planet.html How To Reuse Envelopes and Save The Planet] from bossypants at eHow | ||
[[Category:site index]] | [[Category:site index]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:04, 18 February 2009
return to GG Green Business Design Studio
We're trying to reduce, reuse or figure a way to recycle all types of envelopes used at United Way. In particular, we'll be looking at (1) letter and business-sized white envelopes, (2) manila envelopes and (3) inter-office envelopes.
Contents
Reduce
Goal: Reduce the number of new envelopes the office is using.
- take a week and review all outgoing and ingoing mail and make note of stats
- teach people how to manage their info digitally
- obtain envelopes on an as-needed basis from a central source that you have to walk to - it will make you think if you really need one, or if you can do without (1) (2)
- if you are going to buy envelopes, buy them with recycled content 20% or above (1) (2) (3) (see resource list below)
- send information digitally -- if you receive something via traditional mail, see if you can take a minute to figure out if this could have been sent another way, and ask the sender to change his method next time (1) (2) (3)
- I think low-hanging fruit is the inter-office envelope - spend one session brain-storming other ways of sending this information, and I think you could reduce the amount of these envelopes by at least 90% (3)
- one idea: force yourself to get up and walk papers to someone else in the building if you must do it non-digitally - you'll get more exercise and it will cause you to send more digitally
- I think low-hanging fruit is the inter-office envelope - spend one session brain-storming other ways of sending this information, and I think you could reduce the amount of these envelopes by at least 90% (3)
- when ordering, order a bit less than you normally do and see if you can make it work - we often use things without thinking just because they are there (1) (2) (3)
Reuse
Goal: Reuse envelopes that are coming in to the office.
- save envelopes that come to you and reuse them for acceptable destinations (1) (2)
- cover window with adhesive labels or mailing labels and reuse
- write on the other side of inter-office envelopes, not just one side (3)
- see U of M's Campus Envelope Reuse and Recycling Program for ideas of how to educate people at UWSEM (3)
- facts about how many envelopes are ordered each month
- facts about the cost per envelope
- facts about $ saved if each envelope was reused
- where people can find reused envelopes
- add 'Please Reuse' sticker to all envelopes, like 'Please Recycle' sticker
- Reusing Envelopes bossypants at eHow tells a number of ways to reuse envelopes, such as bookmarks, notepads, etc.
Recycle
Goal: Recycle envelopes that have reached the limits of use. No envelopes should be thrown away in the office.
- try to recycle only after an envelope is 'used up' - in other words, it has had more than one use (1) (2) (3)
- don't worry about the plastic window - it will be taken care of at the recycling center (1) (2) (3)
- keep paper recycling close by your desk so you are not tempted to throw any paper away (1) (2) (3)
Resources
- Dupont Tyvek envelopes 100% recyclable; Dupont has a nationwide collection program for these envelopes, which are turned into other products.
- Recycled Envelopes resource lists for buying new recycled envelopes
- Eco Envelopes
- How To Reuse Envelopes and Save The Planet from bossypants at eHow
