Buy in Bulk
 

Buying in bulk may reduce shipping costs, packaging waste, and cut shopping trips---saving your company time.

• Purchase condiments in bulk and pour into smaller containers
• Consider forming or joining a purchasing co-op to get the best price on office supplies

     Internal      

• Save money by offering durable dishware in break rooms
• Encourage reducing lunch waste by providing a company mug and reusable lunch bag
• Use cloth tablecloths and durable dishware at receptions and meetings

    External       

• Provide a discount when customers "bring their own bag"
• Offer cloth bags as an alternative
• Offer durable dishware to customers eating on site

Your company can both obtain and donate use items such as fixtures, furniture, and office supplies through a network of free online materials exchanges

• 2 Good 2 Toss
• Freecycle
• IMEX (Industrial Materials Exchange)
• Where to Recycle

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, almost 60% of garbage produced in the US is compostable organic waste, including about 96 billion pounds of food. Don't let your grocery or restaurant business throw dollars into the dumpster. Donate or compost instead.
More on Food Donations
 

Stop receiving catalogues, magazines, and other bulk mail addressed to your former employees by registering with the Ecological Mail Coalition.

• Cancel duplicate subscriptions and route them or designate a central area where all publications can be shared
• Switch to online publications when possible
• Reduce junk mail by using only your name, phone number and email address when you register for conferences or sign up for drawings.
• Send a postcard or call to "opt out" of unwanted mail. 

Packaging protects your products from damage during transport. However, excess packaging adds to the shipping weight (and your costs) and creates waste. Try these tips to reduce packaging:

• Ask your suppliers to take back cardboard or other packaging
• Request suppliers to use only one type of packaging instead of mixing different types together, rendering them impossible to recycle
• Consider backhauling cardboard to your company's central distribution center for baling
• Request reusable packaging
• Work with suppliers to pack as many items as possible in each carton
• Request or provide reusable containers

Businesses and organizations of all types can reduce or eliminate paper usage by following these easy tips:

• Email messages instead of printing
• Write tasks in your planner instead of printing
• Color code email tasks instead of printing
• Write and show agendas on dry erase board or projector
• Provide handouts electronically
• Provide reports and brochures on CDs or DVDs
• Use a fax sticky note instead of a cover sheet
• Redesign forms to use less sheets
• Consolidate forms that are similar
• Print on both sides
• Collect half-used paper in a tray, then reuse it for drafts
• Use track changes to edit documents
• File emails and documents electronically
• Adjust text, margins, and fonts to avoid running onto additional  pages
• Test a print job before you print the whole batch
• Print only the pages you need
• Develop a policy to make only double-sided copies
• Shorten your documents to save money on paper, imaging, handling, storage, and postage
• Use electronic editing features to avoid multiple editing copies
• Scan documents for archiving purposes to reduce usage of file folders (and save space)

Across the nation, retailers and manufacturers are working together to provide take-back programs so the consumer can easily return products at the end of their useful life. Kitsap County retailers offer take-back programs for computers, fluorescent lights, auto and rechargeable batteries, used motor oil, cell phones, toner and ink jet cartridges, and mercury thermostats. In addition, mail-back opportunities exist for some electronics. Visit our Online Where to Recycle Database for information on specific product disposal options.