Waste Reduction

Starting Point

1. Don’t use fax cover sheets - use a small sticker instead.

Step it Up

junk mail2. Junk Mail

3. Harvard Publications & Catalogs

  • To reduce Harvard publications, follow the guidelines from our Fact Sheet.

print green4. Printing

  • Set your printer to automatically double-side - follow the guidelines from our "Double Sided Printing" Fact Sheet.
  • Print on both sides of paper before recycling.
  • Set your printer to automatically doubleside.
  • Print less- keep records on your computer
  • Print on both sides of paper before recycling:  set a scrap paper tray in the copy area
  • Download Greenprint software to eliminate unnecessary printing
  • Make your margins smaller

mugs5. Kitchen

  • Get mugs and dishware for your kitchen, and encourage your co-workers to use them (put a sign in your kitchen, send out an email)
    • Contact Rob Gogan for reusable mugs of visit:
      • Goodwill: 520 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge
      • Salvation Army: 328 Massachusetts Ave, cambridge and 483 Broadway, Somerville
  • Buy kitchen supplies in bulk or larger packages (ie. sugar, milk, dishwashing soap, loose tea, etc)
  • Remind everyone to bring their mug when sending an event invite
  • Visit the "Kitchen" section on the Green Office website for more ideas

recycle6. Recycling

  • Make sure recycling bins are where needed. Check the recycling section for more ideas.

 

 

reusable bags7. Shopping

  • Carry a reusable bag when shopping

 

 

Reusable shipper8. Office supplies

  • Use the reusable shipping containers from OfficeMax. To find out more about this program, click here.
  • Organize office supply swaps: contact us if you have questions or need assistance
  • Use rewritable cds or flash drives instead of one-time use cds
  • Use reusable inter-office envelopes whenever possible
  • Get a stapleless stapler

9. Communication

  • Use reusable inter-office envelopes whenever possible.
  • Don’t use fax cover sheets- use a small sticker instead.

compost10. Composting

  • If there is a lot of food waste in your building, consider setting up a composting program. Contact the Sustainability Coordinator for your school (Gosia Sklodowska, FAS and GSE; Krystal Noiseux: HMS, HSPH and HDS) to schedule a meeting.
  • If you live in Cambridge, set up a composting program at home. Cambridge residents can get a free 2.5 gallon lidded container and can drop off all their food waste for free at the Cambridge Recycling Drop-off Center during any open hours.  For more information, click here.