Skip The Water Cooler

The office water cooler is an excellent place for gossip, but not so great for the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency,

Water coolers use 4 billion kilowatts of energy each year, producing annual pollution roughly equivalent to the emissions of over 700,000 cars.

In addition, the agency estimates that Americans spend $300 million each year on utility bills to operate water coolers.

You can eliminate the waste consumption and resource depletion of traditional water coolers, bottles, and fountains by installing an inexpensive water filter on the office kitchen tap. Keep a stash of water pitchers and cool reusable cups and mugs nearby so that employees always have access to cold, fresh, clean water. Make the kitchen area a fun spot for employees to gather (and gossip) and they'll never miss that wasteful old cooler!


Image courtesy of Lotus Head http://www.pixelpusher.co.za

Dive Into A Carpool

How much does your car weigh? Personally, I can't answer this question except to say that my car is pretty darned heavy. That's why I find it so disturbing with the findings from FuelEconomy.gov that "most vehicles produce several times their weight in greenhouse gases each year." The amount of time we spend behind the wheel has a significant impact on the planet. So if you are ready to make a change that will really make a difference, consider organizing an office carpool. Carpooling is a fantastic way to save money, reduce congestion and save the planet.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, each person that carpools saves 77 lbs of hydrocarbons (the nasty stuff that makes smog); 550 carbon monoxide; 33 lbs of nitrogen oxides; 9,900 lbs of carbon dioxide; as well as 500 gallons of gasoline every year.

Here's how to get your carpool up and running:

• Find out what kinds of transportation benefits are offered by your employer. If they don't have a policy established, talk to them about the government sponsored Commuter Choice program that works with employers to design commuting choices. Commuter Choice can work out a custom plan that takes into account tax incentives for any commuting benefits offered to employees as well as solutions involving flex-time, route planning, and van-pools.

• Seek out co-workers and friends who might be interested in sharing a ride. Don't know anyone interested in carpooling? Find fellow commuters in your area at eRideShare or Carpool Connect.

• Once you've established your carpool, go over some Carpool Etiquette to make sure that everyone stays happy.

• Kick back, relax, and enjoy the guilt-free ride!