As a small business, they are not a large a consumer of energy and products but find there are always opportunities for improvement. They recognize that being Green is really a matter of choices that result in being greener. There is no absolute in this regard. Small choices can add up over time.

No Cost Actions:
• Eliminate paper based subscriptions that don't add value
• Switch paper based subscriptions to electronic subscriptions where possible
• Sign-up for electronic billing from all vendors who offer it
• Use electronic payments
• Conference calls to replace some meetings
• Online discussion groups to replace some meetings and reduce paper
• Schedule multiple meetings in same location to reduce mileage and save time
• Adjust shades and blinds to reduce heat from the sun
• Re-use paper, bottles and cans where possible before recycling
• Reduce/eliminate bottled water
• Turn off lights and electronics when not use in use
• Car pooling
• Errand bundling
• Sharing subscriptions to printed publications
• Webinars vs. on-site training
• Eliminating faxing
• Maintain proper tire pressure in all vehicles
• Bicycle where practical

Green Success Story
Submitted by Melissa Perlman - Manager, Public Relations
Office Depot
Melissa.Perlman(at)officedepot.com

At Office Depot® they recognize that as an office solutions company with a vision to "increasingly buy green, be green and sell green," they need to ensure they walk the talk and maintain "green offices" within their own operations. In 2006, they started tracking which customers of Office Depot in North America were increasingly "buying green office supplies." Based on this analysis, Office Depot had a green spend percentage of 46% in 2006 and, as such, they were their own "greenest customer" in terms of purchasing office supplies from The Green Book.

Much of their "green spend" percentage was driven by their internal policy to use 35% Post-Consumer Recycled Content Paper in all suitable black and white printing operations. They are also heavy users of Office Depot brand remanufactured ink and toner cartridges as well as other green office supplies, including recycled content filing and storage products, certified non-toxic writing instruments and Energy Star-qualified electronics.

Green Success Story
Submitted by Susan Kaplan - Recruiting Manager
Daszkal Bolton, LLP
skaplan(at)daszkalbolton.com

A grass roots effort to reduce their company's carbon footprint began a year or so ago with a visit from FPL to test our building's energy efficiency. This led to the purchase and installation of longer lasting and more energy efficient light bulbs, as well as the adoption of energy saving thermostats. Their newer offices have been built with lighting sensors instead of switches. Now when they buy a new copier, it has a snooze/sleep mode which cuts down on energy use. These newer copiers allow them to recycle their toner cartridges. Overall the savings in their kilowatt hours has been tremendous.

They now have a dedicated "green team" of volunteers that meets once a month to suggest additional ways to further help the environment and their recycling efforts. All the copier paper they use is composed of 30% recyclable fiber, and is actually cheaper. Some of their departments are totally paperless. Those that aren't are making a concerted effort to store and transfer documents virtually. Starting in May, they will have monthly drives to recycle items such as cell phones, batteries, and eyeglasses.

Green Success Story
Submitted by John Mann - Director of Development
Pope John Paul II High School
jmann(at)pjpii.org

The school has saved many trees thanks to their Whiteboards, a technological innovation that allows teachers to use digital methods rather than paper. Students also save paper by submitting their work online to the campus network server. The teachers can log onto the server from anywhere to view the students' files and grade them online. Paper savings are estimated to be about 25% compared to their previous budget, in addition to savings on ink cartridges.
The Development Office primarily communicates through e-mail and website notifications. They have drastically reduced their paper, print, and postage costs. The savings are estimated at about 75% less than the previous system of "snail" mailing. The school also has a recycling program spearheaded by a science teacher, Mary Jo Foley. The program is in its infancy, but they are off to a great start!

Green Success Story
Submitted by Franchise Owner Jeff Pasternack
1-800-Got-Junk?
delraybeach(at)1800gotjunk.com

1-800-GOT-JUNK? helps businesses and individuals by removing unwanted items. Through diligent sorting, and depending on the types of jobs their customers request, they are generally able to divert between four and five tons of material, such as various metals, furniture and paper, from the dump per month. Additionally, their trucks are equipped with dash-mounted computers and GPS units that allow them to drive the minimum amount of distance necessary while on their way to, and between, jobs. As a result, their dump fees have decreased 15% from 2007 levels and their fuel costs are down a similar amount.

Green Success Story Published Thursday, December 11, 2008

Many local non-profit organizations with smaller staffs and tighter budgets, much like the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce (GBRCC), are doing amazing things to improve our earth. Each of us can make a difference through very simple changes in our day-to-day lives. In the 2007 November/December edition of the Boca Chamber CONNECTION newsletter, we announced that the "Chamber Goes Green" through cutting back on this newsletter from twelve to six times per year (thus consuming less paper). Nearly a year ago, the GBRCC also took its first step towards a lighter shade of green in the office. One step led to another and quickly caused the entire team to jump on board with the following: