Top 10 Green Tips for BusinessesAugust 2011Jennifer Lopez, country head of ACCA in Malaysia, once mentioned the need for higher standards of carbon accounting and disclosure. She linked her reasoning to U!s "##$ data %hich stated Malaysia!s carbon emissions stands at &." tonnes per capita' representing one of the %orld!s highest per capita.(hile she might ha)e a legitimate point of )ie%, her call for better standards of carbon accounting does not directly contribute to greener practices. At the end of the day, the big %ords *climate change! and *reducing carbon emissions! boils do%n to small, simple steps of being en)ironmentally conscious.+elo% are ten helpful steps to being greener %hich can be implemented instantaneously, Shut down and unplug your PC when not in use-t is a kno%n fact that shutting do%n your .C sa)es more po%er than merely putting it in standby mood. /id you also kno% a .C %hich has been shut do%n %ill still consume a small amount of po%er0 1his happens if it is still plugged into a socket.1o sa)e energy consumption 2and cut your electric bill3, it %ould be ideal to unplug all appliances %hile not in use. -f this sounds too troublesome, consider using a po%er e4tension strip to disconnect many appliances in 5ust one mo)e. Use the PDF function(e li)e in a progressi)e generation6 most smart phones these days are e7uipped %ith a document reader %hich is fully compatible %ith the ./8 file type. 1hus, as an alternati)e to printing copies of articles or 5ournals to be read on6the6go, consider sa)ing the document into your phone instead. Start a recycle bin1his is probably the first step any office should undergo in the process of becoming greener. 1he recycle bin does notha)e to be a fancy 96color yello%6blue6green bin' 5ust a simple bo4 to contain non6confidential papers %hich can be recycled %ould suffice. Start a reuseable printing tray.ossibly the easiest %ay to practice green printing habits is to set aside a tray in your office!s printing machine specially for re6using the blank side of a printed page. My office simply sticks a label on a tray %ith instructions on ho% to load the re6useable papers. Cut printing wastageAt times, it is really 5ust the matter of creating a simple company policy. :)ery employee!s .Cs should be set to print double6sided by default, and employers should not be shy to charge a small fine for paper %astage. Use refillable print cartridges1his step sa)es you money, %hile sa)ing the en)ironment. 1he hardy print cartridges really can be reused again. /o look out for those nifty refill kits or computer shops %hich offer such ser)ices. At times these shops %ill also offer a nice trade6in )alue for your old cartridges. Use refillable pens-n the same )ein, most pens ha)e refills %hich are sold separately. 1ry hunting for these refills at your office stationerysupplier. Change the office hours;ne of the most time < petrol sa)ing practice a firm can do is to simply push back the %orking hours by half an hour or an hour later. 1his effecti)ely cuts commuting time for employees, and significantly sa)es their emotional energy due to less traffic %oes. Unfortunately, this step might not apply for retailers and businesses %hich ha)e to follo% the trading hours. Stop using disposable cups at the water dispenser1he ob)ious reason to this %ould be %hy opt for disposable cups %hen you can use a mug or a glass0e)ertheless, if there is an office e)ent and you simply must use the disposable alternati)e' go for recyclable plastic cups. .lastic cups produce less C;" during production as compared to paper cups, and can be recycled' unlike styrofoam cups. Use the switch.erhaps the most important, yet often forgotten tip is to simply turn off %hat you are not using. -t could be the lights and fan in an empty room or an unused .C. .o%ering do%n al%ays sa)es energy resources. +y the %ay, this principle also %orks for idling cars.