How do you green your workplace? First of all, you need to educate and inform yourself about what sustainable steps you can take. Then you need to lead by example; informing and educating others. It’s all about implementing change and encouraging others to do the same. We should have done it yesterday, and there won’t be time to do it tomorrow.

I’ve implemented a lot of green practices into both my life and my business. tcg: The Communication Group is one of San Francisco’s first 50 certified Green Businesses, and we got that way by making a number of simple choices that have transformed our workplace. Here are some of the ways we’ve created a culture of sustainability and chosen to green our business.

1. We’ve become more cost efficient. I’ll use our hiring practice as an example. We only hire someone after we’ve worked for them for 90 days on a project and determined that their chemistry and skill set match our needs and expectations. After all, how much can you really tell about a person after a few rounds of interviews? This is not to say that we’re a homogeneous crew over at tcg. It’s quite the opposite—we’re an innovative, eclectic bunch, with origins spanning 7 countries. Though we’re as diverse as they come, we share some very common philosophies. But that’s another story.

2. Our office materials are created from salvaged and refurbished products. Desktops? Made out of old doors. The legs of our desks? Unused scaffolding. We purchase warranted refurbished Macs instead of buying brand-new ones. We do the same with telephones and white boards. In fact we estimate at least 90% of our infrastructure is refurbished, and the place still looks funky and fabulous. Just like any cool agency should. There are so many products that are on their way to being discarded and yet are perfectly useful. It’s saved tcg plenty of money, not to mention avoiding the waste generated by disposing these items and manufacturing new ones. They look great in the office, too. Salvaging and sustainability can be incredibly stylish.

3. We’ve created a culture of sustainability at tcg to the point where no one thinks twice about turning off lights, printing double-sided, recycling their paper coffee cups, or fixing things versus throwing them out and buying new ones. It’s all about changing old habits and thinking twice about how our actions affect things on a larger scale.

4. We encourage social progress, helping our clients and partners to become more ‘green’ aware. Our printing company, Streamline, has gone through our Green Prepare program and has made a lot of progress in the realms of conservation and waste production.

Here are some other ways you can make your workplace more eco-friendly and cost-effective:

• Use biodegradable cleaning products such as Borax, sea salt, baking soda & vinegar.
• Purchase energy star monitors and appliances.
• Use recycled paper towels, toilet paper, office paper, trash bin liners, etc.
• Set your printer to print double sided – re-set it to print single-sided only when necessary.
• Use energy efficient light bulbs such as CFLs and LEDs.
• Establish clearly labeled recycle bins for paper, glass, plastic, cardboard & metal.
• Recycle used ink cartridges & batteries.
• Ensure your used technology is handled by legitimate recyclers and not just shipped off to another country and dumped.
• Eliminate junk mail by contacting the sources and having them remove your name.
• Place reminder notices near light switches, water faucets, etc., encouraging employees to “turn off.”
• Promote internal green awareness through emails, newsletters, commuter incentive programs, etc.

Sustainability is not just about changing light bulbs, separating your trash, and measuring energy conservation. All of those things make a difference, but it’s just as important to encourage ecological balance and social progress. There are countless ways to green your life and your business practice, and I’d be interested to hear some of yours.

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