The easiest way to minimize the environmental impact of our standard office operations is to reduce our creation of trash, reuse as many office supplies as we can, and recycle as much garbage as possible.  This could also mean purchasing used office furniture or decorations such as pictures, lights, and rugs, and other furnishings. Consider contacting a recycling assistance program and doing a waste audit of your parish office to see what you throw away that could be recycled.

Paper is typically the biggest trash item generated in offices, but so are binders, ink cartridges, and electronics.  Simple actions include printing documents on both sides of the paper, buying printer paper made from recycled materials, re-using binders and report covers, printing only when necessary, and taking old electronics such as computer parts to recycling centers.  Many electronics stores accept cell phones, computer items, and even TVs for recycling.  

Similarly, consider donating used office materials such as furniture and electronics to non-profit charities such as Habitat for Humanity, or Goodwill. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has a plethora of information to help your parish “Green Team” learn about where you can find recycling centers for everything from computers and cell phones to printer cartridges and carpet.