'Businesses Can Save the Green,' Claims ECO.

Protecting natural resources, conserving energy, and saving business dollars need not be considered mutually exclusive. The Los Angeles-headquartered Earth Communications Office (ECO), a non-profit group that uses mass communications to deliver environmental messages to billions, believes that American businesses of all sizes can voluntarily play a key role in protecting our environment. In doing so, energy can be conserved, and, in return, the bottom line can benefit as well.

ECO, in partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), recently launched an international multimedia communications program designed to inspire individuals to want to help preserve our planet's biodiversity and the essential and life-affirming benefits derived from it. 'Biodiversity' is the term used to refer to the intricate network of plants, animals and all other living things that populate the planet. At present, Earth's biodiversity is waning, but ECO believes that this unfortunate trend can be reversed if businesses make a few relatively simple, cost-efficient adjustments to their operating procedures.

ECO's biodiversity campaign received a powerful boost to national prominence this past weekend by AMC Theatres, who are presently featuring the organization's new Morgan Freeman-narrated theatrical PSA, 'Why Are We Here?,' on their screens nationwide, reaching an estimated 14 million viewers.

But what about business? ECO reports that the business community on a global level has already begun to lead the way to an environmentally sustainable future by reaping the economic and ecological benefits of increasing energy efficiency in manufacturing and in offices, reducing waste streams, using and creating recycled products, and creating cleaner technologies.

There is, however, much more that can be done to help insure a healthy planet for our children and future generations. The good news is that many of these environmentally healthy business solutions are easy and take very little time from the daily routine while supplying business owners and managers with surprising economic benefits.

There are a number of simple things that businesses of all sizes can do to play a role in the protection of our planet's waning biodiversity. By practicing these tips, businesses and individuals can also save money - benefiting the pocket book as well as the planet.

No business is too large or too small to benefit from the examples listed below:

1. 'Off' is the best screen saver 

Many don't realize that monitors suck up the majority of the energy used to fuel computer systems. Screen savers protect your screen but waste energy. Even if your business requires that your computer remain on at night, taking a second to switch off the monitor before you leave at the end of the day can save energy and dollars.

2. Supply by demand

Before purchasing supplies, ask yourself, "are we really going to use that, or will it be gathering dust in a supply closet?" Purchase recycled products or check electronic items for indicators of energy efficiency such as the Energy Star logo. Also, check out Energy Star's website at www.EnergyStar.gov for a complete listing of appliances and equipment that make the grade, environmentally.

3. Cease the paper chase

Keep paper out of landfills by using e-mail and electronic files to communicate whenever possible. Also, be sure to always buy recycled paper for photocopies and stationary. A ton of recycled paper requires 60% less energy and 50% less water to produce than paper made from virgin stock. It has been calculated that 88 million tons of paper are deposited annually at dumpsites. Lastly, and most importantly, recycle your office's used paper as much as possible. Sadly, less than 20% of office wastepaper generated in the U.S. today is recovered for recycling.

4. Go fluorescent

Incandescent bulbs consume 75% more energy than compact fluorescent bulbs. Replace as many light bulbs as you can with compact fluorescents. There are also new technologies that can further reduce the energy use of fluorescent fixtures. Occupant sensors, which turn lights off in unoccupied areas at a one-time cost of about $40.00 provide tremendous energy savings for office restrooms and conference rooms.

5. Dip into a carpool 

Cars choke us and our atmosphere, but there are lots of ways to cut back. Carpool to work or launch an office ride share program at the office. Best of all, create an alternative work schedule program such as telecommuting or flex time. These programs can shift work hours away from peak traffic times, and are often popular among employees.

6. Use 'cleaner' cleaning supplies

Find out what's in the stuff being used to clean your office and workplace. The evaporation of commercial and consumer solvents contribute half a million tons of toxic chemicals into our air every year. When buying cleaning products, try to make sure they're 100 percent natural and biodegradable and do not contain phosphates, chlorine, dyes or scents.

7. Don't toss those empty inkjet cartridges

Over 71.3 million inkjet cartridges are used each year in the United States and every second, two inkjet cartridges are thrown away somewhere in the United States. Recycling inkjet cartridges saves oil, energy and landfill space. Many office supply stores and computer stores will recycle your toner and inkjet cartridges. Hewlett Packard offers free recycling of empty inkjet cartridges - check out http://hpijc.startek.com.

8. Consider the alternatives

One of the ways companies can have a positive impact on the environment is by choosing to purchase power from green energy providers. The term 'green power' is used to define power generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower and various forms of biomass. This may sound unusual on the surface, but consider successful organizations such as Toyota Motor Sales, Patagonia, Sony Music, Birkenstock Shoes, Southbay Surf and Skate, Seacoast Electric, Imperial Hardware, The Coffee Works, Fetzer Winery, Air Touch Celluar, Real Goods, Kaiser Permanente, MCI Worldcom, and Lucky Brand Dungarees -- all are companies who buy renewably generated power to meet their energy needs.

9. Give your office building a tune-up

Building technologies have been advancing at a striking pace over the past decade. It is now possible to perform upgrades that reduce energy use by up to 50 percent, regardless of the size of your office. If your building's light and heating/cooling systems are more than 10 years old, you could potentially see big savings by upgrading them.

10. Make your efforts public

Boost company morale and participation by letting employees know that your organization cares about their future generations and the planet. Screen a copy of ECO's celebrity-narrated PSAs to help inspire and unify your company and its actions. (Video and DVD copies are available via www.oneearth.org). Have your company or a group of small businesses that share a building pool together to adopt an Environmental Group or local place to clean - stream, parks, beaches clean ups, tree plantings, park clean ups.

ECO is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles that uses the power of the entertainment and communications industries to deliver messages about the environment to the general public. The current biodiversity campaign is ECO's tenth in a series of message campaigns seen and heard by more than one billion people around the globe in theatres, on television and on the radio.