Green Office Tip of the Week from your CL Green Office Specialist:
Did you know that the average American uses the equivalent of a tree 100 feet high and 18 inches in diameter each year? And if 10,000 CL Green Community readers would use digital desktop notes instead of three packages of sticky notes, we would save 36 trees? (Source: Ideal Bite www.idealbite.com)
Since my posts this month are about reducing paper usage, I would be remiss if I didn't address these office staple stacks of paper that most of us use each and every day. I think we all agree that sticky notes are FUN and that they come in COOL sizes, shapes and colors. What's not to love? There are "regular" sticky notes and "super-sticky" notes. The variety is ridiculously endless. But sticky notes are paper and to be eco-conscious and reduce our paper usage, we should use them sparingly.
The good news is that many sticky notes are made from recycled and postconsumer paper. Post-it even sells recycled notes made from 100% recycled paper (30% postconsumer). So you can buy recycled sticky notes and still be environmentally responsible. But there's even better news! You can use digital notes as digital reminders on your PC, laptop or phone so you don't need paper at all. These notes don't cost anything, or use up any trees – and they always stay sticky (bonus)!
Using Microsoft Outlook's notes is easy and FREE! Just click on New + Note or Ctrl + Shift + N and a sticky note magically appears on your desktop. You can move it, edit it and do lots of other things with it – but mostly remind yourself with it. Mac Stickies come installed on any Mac made in the past few years. Just go to the Applications folder and click on the Stickies icon.
I'm not saying you should stop using sticky notes all together, just recommending that you try to reduce by using this digital/paperless alternative once in a while, at least when you remember to do it. I have an idea! Why not use a digital note to remind you?
Make today a Green Day!
Lisa Assetta, President, Office Assistance Plus
Green Office Specialist (Green Office Makeovers, Office Organizing, Virtual Assistance)
This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.