7 Easy Things to Overlook When Moving to a New Office Moving to a new office can be an exciting venture, but it’s also rife with potential pitfalls if you’re not meticulous in your planning. From furniture arrangements to computer setups and waste management, there are several aspects that can easily be overlooked amid the chaos of relocation. Here are seven key considerations to ensure a smooth transition: Communication and Notification: Keep your team, clients, suppliers, and other relevant stakeholders informed about the move well in advance. Provide clear instructions regarding the new address, contact information, and any changes to business operations to minimize confusion and ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. Computer Networking: Ensuring a seamless transition of computer systems and networks is crucial for minimizing downtime during the move. Overlooking the logistics of disconnecting, transporting, and reconnecting IT infrastructure can result in technical glitches and lost productivity. Plan ahead by coordinating with your IT team or external service providers to facilitate a smooth transition of computers, servers, and other networking equipment. Back up your data to protect it from damage or loss. Make sure to test your backups regularly and store them in a safe place. Cable Management: With the multitude of cables and wires that accompany modern office setups, overlooking cable management can lead to a tangled mess of cords and potential tripping hazards. Take the time to plan and implement an organized cable management system to keep cords neatly organized and out of the way. This not only improves the aesthetics of the office but also enhances safety and accessibility. Waste Management: Proper waste management is often an afterthought during office relocation, but it’s essential for maintaining cleanliness and environmental sustainability in the new space. Make sure to coordinate waste disposal services well in advance of the move and provide clearly labeled recycling and trash bins throughout the office. Additionally, consider implementing initiatives to reduce waste generation, such as encouraging paperless workflows and reusable materials. Workspace Layout: The layout of the new office space can significantly impact productivity and collaboration among employees. Overlooking the optimal arrangement of workstations, meeting areas, and communal spaces can result in inefficiencies and frustration. Take the time to carefully plan and test different layout configurations to create an environment that fosters productivity, creativity, and teamwork. Storage Solutions: In the midst of moving furniture and equipment, it’s easy to overlook the need for adequate storage solutions in the new office. Whether it’s filing cabinets for documents, shelving units for supplies, or lockers for personal belongings, having sufficient storage space is essential for keeping the workplace organized and clutter-free. Evaluate the storage needs of your organization and invest in appropriate solutions to maximize efficiency and convenience. Distribute new keycards and passes: When relocating your office, pick up and distribute new keys or  keycards to your employees as soon as possible. Coordinate with your security team and bring a list of employees to ensure that you get the correct number. Switching to an access control system can make this process significantly easier and more secure. By paying attention to these often-overlooked aspects of office relocation, you can ensure a smooth transition to your new workspace and create an environment that promotes productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being.

Is Illegal Dumping a Felony in Georgia? Illegal dumping is a serious environmental offense that can have significant consequences in Georgia, potentially leading to both criminal charges and civil penalties. While the classification of illegal dumping as a felony depends on various factors such as the scale of the dumping, the substances disposed of, and the harm caused to the environment or public health, Georgia has stringent laws and regulations in place to combat this harmful activity. Illegal Dumping Defined In Georgia, illegal dumping is primarily addressed under the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act. This legislation aims to regulate the management, transportation, and disposal of solid waste to protect public health and the environment. Under this act, illegal dumping is defined as the unauthorized disposal of waste on public or private property, including but not limited to dumping on roadsides, vacant lots, or natural areas. Penalties The severity of penalties for illegal dumping in Georgia can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the offense. While not all instances of illegal dumping may constitute a felony, repeated offenses, large-scale dumping operations, or dumping hazardous materials can elevate the charges to felony status. One crucial aspect in determining the severity of illegal dumping charges is the type of waste dumped. Georgia law distinguishes between general solid waste and hazardous waste. Dumping hazardous waste, which includes materials such as chemicals, oils, or electronic waste, can lead to more severe penalties due to the increased risk to public health and the environment. Additionally, the location of the dumping plays a significant role in the legal consequences. Dumping in sensitive areas such as wetlands, rivers, or near drinking water sources can exacerbate the environmental impact and result in harsher penalties. Enforcement The enforcement of illegal dumping laws in Georgia involves collaboration between various agencies, including local law enforcement, environmental protection agencies, and waste management authorities. These agencies often conduct investigations to identify and prosecute individuals or businesses involved in illegal dumping activities. In recent years, Georgia has implemented measures to combat illegal dumping more effectively. This includes the establishment of dedicated task forces, public awareness campaigns, and increased surveillance in areas prone to dumping. Additionally, Georgia offers amnesty programs to encourage individuals to report illegal dumping activities in exchange for immunity or reduced penalties. Civil Penalties Civil penalties for illegal dumping in Georgia can include fines, restitution for environmental cleanup costs, and revocation of permits or licenses related to waste management activities. In cases where illegal dumping causes significant environmental damage or poses a threat to public health, individuals or entities may also face civil lawsuits from affected parties or regulatory agencies. While illegal dumping may not always be classified as a felony in Georgia, it remains a serious offense with potentially severe legal and environmental consequences. Georgia’s comprehensive solid waste management laws and enforcement efforts aim to deter illegal dumping and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. By raising awareness, strengthening regulations, and enforcing penalties, Georgia strives to protect its natural resources and communities from the harms of illegal dumping.

How to Get Rid of an X-ray Machine Getting rid of an X-ray machine involves careful planning, adherence to regulations, and environmental responsibility. As opposed to other recyclables, you cannot put your X-ray machine in the recycling bin. You can, however, call Green Junk Removal to take care of it for you. X-ray equipment, film, and machines must be disposed of with particular caution. Here’s a guide on how to go about it: Assessment and Documentation Assess Functionality: Determine if the X-ray machine is still operational or if it’s obsolete. Document Ownership: Ensure you have clear documentation of ownership or lease agreements for the machine. Legal Compliance Regulatory Requirements: Understand local regulations regarding the disposal of medical equipment, particularly X-ray machines. This may involve permits or specific disposal procedures. Radiation Safety: Ensure that all radiation safety protocols are followed throughout the disposal process to protect both humans and the environment. Certified Disposal: Verify if the X-ray machine contains hazardous materials like lead or mercury and arrange for proper disposal through certified waste management services. Data Security Data Wiping: If the machine stores patient data or any sensitive information, ensure all data is wiped securely according to healthcare data privacy regulations. Document Destruction: Destroy any physical documents associated with the machine’s usage or maintenance to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Disconnection and Decommissioning Electrical Disconnection: Safely disconnect the X-ray machine from power sources to prevent electrical hazards. Decontamination: Thoroughly clean and decontaminate the machine, especially if it was used in a medical setting, to remove any biological or chemical residues. Remove External Components: Detach any removable components such as monitors, keyboards, or accessories for separate disposal or reuse. Transportation and Storage Secure Transportation: Arrange for transportation of the X-ray machine to the disposal facility using licensed carriers who are equipped to handle hazardous materials. Secure Storage: If temporary storage is necessary, ensure the machine is stored securely in a designated area to prevent unauthorized access and environmental contamination. Disposal Options Recycling: Explore options for recycling components of the X-ray machine, such as metal parts, circuit boards, and cables, through certified electronic waste recycling facilities. Trade-In Programs: Some manufacturers or third-party vendors offer trade-in programs where old equipment can be exchanged for credit towards the purchase of new equipment. Disposal Facilities: Arrange for disposal at authorized facilities capable of handling electronic or hazardous waste, ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations. Documentation and Reporting Records Keeping: Maintain detailed records of the disposal process, including documentation of permits, certificates of destruction, and any other relevant paperwork. Reporting: Depending on local regulations, report the disposal of the X-ray machine to relevant authorities or regulatory agencies to ensure compliance and proper documentation. Environmental Impact Consideration Minimize Environmental Impact: Choose disposal methods that minimize environmental impact, such as recycling reusable materials and properly disposing of hazardous components. Sustainability: Consider options for repurposing or refurbishing components of the X-ray machine to extend their lifespan and reduce waste generation. By following these steps, you can responsibly and safely get rid of an X-ray machine while ensuring compliance with regulations and minimizing environmental impact. Remember to consult with experts or regulatory authorities as needed to ensure proper disposal procedures are followed if doing it yourself.  Calling Green Junk Removal can eliminate the stress of the removal.

How to Renegotiate a Commercial Lease in Atlanta There are many circumstances where renegotiating a commercial lease can be to your advantage. If you’re downsizing and could sublet a portion of the property, then renegotiating for the ability to do this is a great way to cut costs. You should also consider renegotiating if there has been a drop in demand for commercial property, as property owners may be willing to lower prices instead of losing your business to a cheaper property. There are plenty of things to consider and potential rent changes that you could pursue to better your situation. Here is how to renegotiate a commercial lease in Atlanta. Determine Your Goals What do you want out of your renegotiation? Knowing your best-case scenario is important. First, explore the different options you have to lower rental costs or otherwise change terms as leverage. These could include: Abatement: Abate rent for a certain period of time (it is worth looking into whether you already have a rant abatement clause in your lease) Temporary rent reduction: Lower rent for a certain period of time with or without an equal increase later in the rental period to make up for it. Permanent rent reduction: Lower rent for the term of the lease. Other costs: You may also be able to negotiate to reduce or remove related costs, such as building maintenance, utilities, and more. Permission to sublease: You may need to have the landlord’s permission to sublease part of your space, but this can be a very effective solution for you both. Some options you can offer in return for lowered rent or other changes include: Profit-sharing Lengthen the lease term Repay the reduction in the future, potentially with interest Offer reduced goods and services to the landlord Communicate Your Situation You have a better chance of getting to a new agreement with your landlord if they understand your financial situation and why your business needs rent to be lowered. Or, if you can communicate the comparative cost of renting from someone else in the area, with solid research, you will also seem more reasonable, and your landlord will be more likely to strike a deal with you. Particularly if you are asking for only a temporary reduction or offering a profit-sharing exchange, your landlord may want to know your plan to help your business recover from its current financial situation. Come to your negotiation prepared with a solid roadmap for how you’ll get things back on track. If your problem is natural seasonality in your business, demonstrate how you’ll handle this seasonality next year. Receive and Consider Counter-Offers Renegotiating a commercial lease is not a small matter, and it is likely that your landlord will return to you later with a counter-offer that is more favorable for them. If you are facing an overall economic depression that has resulted in your own financial troubles, it is possible that your landlord is facing renegotiation from several of their tenants and is facing hardship of their own. Renegotiate with care, as if your landlord loses too much, they may end up selling the property outright.

How to Liquidate a Small Business in Atlanta Closing your business is always a bittersweet process, whether you’re leaving for new opportunities, retirement, or because you need to pay off creditors. When things are emotionally charged, it can be harder to make smart decisions or even know where to start with as large a task as liquidating a business. In this guide, we’ll show you the steps in closing down and selling off assets. Of course, you should go over your plan with your accountant and your lawyer to ensure that you’re following the law and making the best decisions for you. In this guide, we will also provide local resources to help liquidate your small business if you’re in Atlanta, Georgia. 1. Legal Dissolution and Cancellations If you share ownership of the company with any person or organization, you will need their permission to legally dissolve the business. You’ll also need to fill out some paperwork to make the termination official. The process varies by state, but in Georgia, you need to file a Certificate of Termination. You’ll only be able to complete the dissolution process if all of the business’s debts, liabilities, and obligations have been paid, discharged, or barred, which typically means that you have to sell off all of its assets. It’s worth noting that if you’re filing bankruptcy, the trustee will sell your assets, and you typically do not have to worry about most of the liquidation process. While you’re handling the paperwork, it’s also wise to start the process of cancelling your business’ permits, licenses, registrations, trade names, and other intangible assets that you pay for but which you’ll no longer need. Consider selling to competitors when possible. 2. Taking Stock of Assets Over the years, a business collects a great deal of assets, some of which you have probably forgotten about. It’s important to make a list of assets and make a plan to deal with each separate item. It’s wise to divide the list into tangible assets and intangible assets. When possible, take a photo of the asset (excepting inventory) and record details about the object to make selling simpler and to make reporting to the IRS simpler too. Here’s a checklist to help you make your list: Tangible assets Equipment and tools: The equipment you have varied widely depending on industry and the specific nature of your business. Everything from computers to cash registers, nail guns, forklifts and MRI machines counts as equipment or tools and can typically be sold. Make a note of what may be needed before the sale. For example, you may need to clean industrial equipment or clear information from computers. Supplies: You may have materials and supplies from past jobs or those that were cancelled. Unopened supplies can typically be sold, while you may simply have to send opened supplies to donation centers or landfills. This may not be true if you keep a large stock of chemicals or hazardous supplies, which may need to be disposed of professionally. Office furniture: Couches, chairs, desks and all other furniture qualify as an asset. Vehicles: Whether you have one truck or a fleet of vehicles, they are typically large assets that can help you recoup a lot of value. Real estate: Business properties are assets and can also help you recoup quite a lot of money. Property that you lease is a bit different. Read more on that in intangible assets. Security deposits: Deposits you paid to landlords or other organizations may be assets that you can get returned. Prepaid insurance premiums: You may be able to get these premiums returned if you paid them ahead of time. Merchandise and inventory: This can all be sold through your usual channels. You may hold a promotion to encourage fast liquidation. Intangible assets Leases: You don’t own a property you lease, but the lease itself has value. Sometimes you can purchase the lease from the lessor and sell it. Accounts receivable: These have a cash value. Selling to competitors can be advantageous. Customer contracts: Depending on your business and arrangements with your clients, you may be able to sell your contract with them. Most assets should be appraised for value, typically by a third-party professional. You may not have to bother for pens and paper, but any significant assets should be appraised. An appraisal can also help establish that you sold the asset for a fair price if you are selling to pay creditors. If you’re having trouble taking stock of assets or know that you’ll have trouble finding buyers for them, or you have a large inventory, you can consider working with a company that liquidates businesses. There are several of these businesses in Atlanta, including Atlanta Liquidation, or lawyers that specialize in completing the process, like Stone and Baxter. 3. Finding Buyers Typically, the best buyers for your assets are competitors. They have the same needs for specialized equipment, property and supplies. More general assets like office equipment and vehicles can typically be sold off to businesses in other fields. Consider used dealership for vehicles, Keep in mind that it is typically your legal obligation to get a fair price for all of your assets, whether you’re paying off creditors or returning investment value to investors. It’s therefore important to find multiple buyers, look for competitive offers, and try to market your assets effectively. You can consider using a professional auctioneer to 4. Donating and Recycling What about the items that don’t sell or can’t be sold? You may still need to dispose of these items. You can donate and recycle much of it before you send it to the landfill, especially basic office supplies and furniture. You can save time and hassle by having professional junk removal companies like Green Junk do the donating, recycling and trashing for you. We provide tax-deductible donation receipts whenever possible so that you still get the full value of donating your items, even though you won’t do the work yourself.

Minimizing Waste at the Office An environmentally sound and clutter-free office is within your reach with these tips Share this Image On Your Site Please include attribution to Green Junk Removal with this graphic. Reduce Your Packaging Waste Consider buying new materials and products for the office with less packaging Ask your vendors if they can take back the packaging on what they deliver Design your own products to have minimal and more recyclable packaging Decrease Waste from Staff Lunches Ask staff to be more mindful about the waste that they bring in from lunches Give staff space and a sink for reusable cups, plates and cutlery in the office Encourage staff to order in from places that use less waste to transport food Try Waste-Diversion Programs Add a recycling program to your building with ample bins in every office Add a composting program for the kitchen to divert food from the landfill Allow employees to take home objects to reuse instead of throwing them out Curb Waste from Your Equipment Find local businesses that allow you to donate or refill old printer cartridges When choosing new equipment, prioritize repairable, less wasteful models Sell, donate or recycle older equipment instead of sending it to the landfill Reduce Waste Outside Your Building Choose native plants for landscaping that don’t require much as much water Turn your building’s compost into soil for your landscape and avoid fertilizer Offer multiple recycling bins outside of your building for customer and staff Eliminate Paper Waste Digitize all files, forms and as much of your business’ paperwork as possible Reduce report sizes, print on both side of the paper and use lightweight paper Email and text customers’ forms instead of printing paper whenever possible

How to Set Up an Office Recycling Program Every office generates waste, from paper to electronics. Most of these items can be recycled, and focusing on your recycling is a great way to make sure your business has a positive impact on the community. While occasional clean-outs can help your recycling efforts, you can get a more consistent effort from 1. Start a Team Getting some allies is the first step in any organization-wide effort. You don’t have to have monthly meetings or make up a nickname for your group. Instead, keeping it casual and focused on the recycling efforts is best and will help you attract more support. Email your potential allies about your plans, about how you’ll assess recycling needs, and about a collection schedule. You’ll definitely want to get management and janitorial staff involved, as both will be key to your success. 2. Find Your Weaknesses With your teammates, assess how your business is doing on the recycling front and how you can improve. Things to consider include: Recycling bins: Sometimes people choose not to recycle because they don’t have access to bins. Assess your current bin layout and how convenient it is to use them. Adding more in the right spots can dramatically increase how much your office recycles. Recycling materials: What kind of materials could your office recycle? Paper products, plastic containers, ink cartridges and lunch containers are all typical options. Offices also generate a lot of e-waste that could be recycled. Then, depending on what your office does, you may have niche waste on-hand that can also be recycled. Recycling awareness: Are your co-workers and staff aware of what they could be recycling? You can run an awareness campaign to alert your staff to the benefits of recycling and what they could recycle. Regular collection: When the recycling bins get full, people will start throwing recyclables into the garbage. Regular collection is a key part of a successful recycling program. You may need your janitorial team to increase collection, your team could do the recycling, or you could have an outside company pick up the recycling. 3. Measure Results Once you start up your recycling program, it’s important to track your progress. Weigh every item that your office recycles and, if possible, the items that you throw out. With consistent effort, you will hopefully see an increase in recycling and a decrease in the trash. These are great statistics to share with your team and the whole company so that people know that their efforts are making a difference or so that they are more motivated to contribute. 4. Work with the Professionals Has your office gathered a lot of materials that need to be recycled in a special location? Or does your team have furniture, shelving, chairs, and other items that could be recycled but that no one has time for? Contact the professionals to arrange for them to do the leg-work of your recycling program for you. 5. Re-Assess Yearly Businesses change. They use new materials, bring in new equipment, and make other changes that change their recycling needs. Even if you find it’s no longer necessary to weigh your recycling, you may want to re-assess your workplace’s recycling plan every year to keep it going strong.

Where Can I Donate Office Furniture & Supplies in Atlanta? When your office is getting rid of old equipment and supplies, you don’t have to send it all out to a landfill. There are many organizations that will take your old office supplies as donations so that they can get a second life. Disadvantaged families in Atlanta, schools and small businesses that are just starting out can all make great use of your old supplies. We Can Pick Up & Donate For You Have a lot to get rid of? Green Junk Removal can handle all of your office clutter, including furniture, electronics, office supplies, and more. We donate up to 75% of all material collected to local charities like these, so less of your junk ends up in landfills. We also provide a tax deductible donation receipt upon request. Learn more about our: Office junk removal services » Cubicle and workstation breakdown and hauling » Computer and e-waste recycling services » The Salvation Army What is accepted: Furniture, large appliances Drop-off location: Multiple locations The Salvation Army might be one of the best known charities on earth, and for good reason. With over 155 years of service and presence in 131 countries, the Salvation Army runs everything from charity shops to homeless shelters, disaster relief, and humanitarian aid for developing countries. Here you’ll find several locations in the city of Atlanta, as well as additional locations in Decatur, Jonesboro, Marietta, and more. Goodwill Donation Centers What is accepted: Books, furniture, computers, and more Drop-off location:160 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308 For well over a hundred years, Goodwill Industries has been helping people across the US (as well as 16 other countries) in a lot of different ways. One of the things that makes them unique is their focus on employment: most donated items are resold to help provide jobs for individuals who face employment challenges caused by education, experience, and disabilities. Around here you’ll find multiple locations in the city of Atlanta, as well as additional locations in Smyrna and Decatur. Atlanta Habitat for Humanity What is accepted: Furniture, large appliances, cabinetry, some accessories, some building materials Drop-off location: Between noon and 3 p.m. at 824 Memorial Drive SE, or contact them to arrange it at 404-465-1010 Habitat for Humanity is a charity and single-family housing developer. The items that you donate to them may be sold in their Atlanta Re-Store for less than market value or end up as part of a home or in a home that is donated to a family in need. Proceeds from the Habit for Humanity store go towards building more homes, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved. The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta What is accepted: Tables, chairs, sofas, mattresses, box springs, coffee tables, linens, lamps Drop-off location: You must schedule your drop-off through their website When you donate your furniture to the Furniture Bank, you can be sure that each piece will be donated to someone in need, at no charge. Yearly, the furniture bank provides furniture to roughly 5,000 people or organizations. You can get your furniture donation picked up for a nonrefundable fee of $20. However, note that the Furniture Bank does not accept furniture that is only useful in an office. The furniture must have an obvious residential use, but they still accept donations from businesses. Vietnam Veterans of America What is accepted: Office supplies Drop-off location: North East Atlanta, near 140 and Brook Hollow Parkway The Vietnam Veterans of America is an organization dedicated to supporting all veterans. It provides a large range of services including financial assistance, job placement, and lobbying for better policies for veterans. While the organization especially needs clothing, and your business probably isn’t donating any, there are still many items they need that you might have. This includes small furniture and rugs, appliances, tableware, and general office supplies. North Fulton Community Charities What is accepted: Furniture Drop-off location: Call first at 770-640-0399 North Fulton Community Charities runs a thrift shop to generate funds for their causes, including a food bank and financial support for some of Fulton’s most vulnerable families. Each year, the organization supports 10,000 people who are in need of emergency assistance with housing, food, clothing, and other staples that everyone in our community should have access to. Anything in your office that might be sold in a thrift store can be donated to the NFCC. American Kidney Services What is accepted: Non-upholstered furniture, small appliances, some electronics, linens, books, and toys Drop-off location: Contact them first at 770-609-2200. Some Value Villages will accept donations on their behalf This long-standing Atlanta charity accepts donations of all kinds and sells them to support Americans with kidney disease. Out of every dollar raised by the organization, 97 cents goes directly into the pocket of an American who is struggling with kidney disease. They can put that money towards their treatments, medical bills, food, power bills, and other costs that they would otherwise not be able to cover. Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) What is accepted: Paper, pens, writing supplies, tissues, hand sanitizer, folders, dry erase boards, tampons, pads, and plastic bags. Drop-off location: Contact them through their website to arrange your donation The Kids in Need Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to getting education supplies to teachers and students in schools that struggle to meet their needs. So far, they have provided over a billion dollars worth of products and equipment to schools in Atlanta and across America. KNIF focuses on getting product donations from businesses, and not just of office supplies. They say that they provide a seamless delivery experience to encourage deliveries. Lifeline Animal Project What is accepted: General office supplies, computer equipment, appliances, cleaning supplies, newspaper, and pet supplies Drop-off location: Contact them first through their website The Lifeline Animal Project seeks to improve the way animals are managed in Atlanta. They seek to end euthanasia and run a shelter specifically for animals that ...

20+ Worrying Statistics About E-Waste Recycling E-waste is what we call old cellphones, laptops, desktops, and other electronic devices. You may actually produce more e-waste than you think. Your digital oven thermometer, dashcam, smart thermostat, and all other digital items count as e-waste once you’re done with them. The average American has 24 of these devices in their home. According to the EPA, even though these devices all have precious metals that we need to recycle, only 12% of e-waste is recycled globally. Most of it ends up in trash bags and landfills, often in developing countries, where it can harm human health and the environment. Many cities in the United States send their garage to the third world, so if you ignore disposal laws and toss your e-waste in the garbage, it could end up impacting someone’s health. Understanding the magnitude of our e-waste problem can be tough. Only 31% of Americans know that e-waste isn’t recycled enough. Here are 20+ worrying statistics about e-waste recycling that you need to know. The Amount of E-Waste The EPA estimates that the U.S. produces 23.7 million tons of e-waste annually, from both homes and business. Americans will throw away (instead of recycling) $55 billion in e-waste every year. This is more than the GDP of some small countries. Worldwide, there is even more e-waste. Globally, we are expected to produce 50 million tons of e-waste yearly. This amount rises between 4 and 5 % every year. Businesses also generate a lot of e-waste, so it is important to recycle at work too. For example, Target recycled 5718 pounds of e-waste per year. The EPA has found that e-waste is growing faster than all other kinds of municipal waste, including over food waste. E-Waste Types Many precious metals are in our e-waste. If we recycled one million cell phones, we would get roughly 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, 33 pounds of palladium and 35,000 pounds of copper. E-waste isn’t just computers and phones. Globally, e-waste is almost as much large equipment as it is small equipment. Air conditioners and furnaces also make up a large portion of e-waste. E-Waste Recycling Only 42% of Americans report that they recycle their batteries and e-waste. Up to 2% of trash in American landfills is e-waste. But this trash makes up 70% of toxic waste. Our e-waste also ends up in other countries. An estimated 40% of e-waste is sent to Asia, where it can seriously harm people’s health as it is not always properly managed. If we recycled 1 million laptops per year, we would save enough energy to power 3,657 US homes for a year. These savings are due to the amount of energy (as well as water and chemicals) it takes to produce the technology in the first place. A single monitor and computer will take 530 lbs of fossil fuels, along with 48 pounds of chemicals and 1.5 tons of water. Now that you understand more about e-waste consider spreading the news to your friends and family members to recycle their e-waste instead of just tossing it out.

5 Ways to Reduce Waste at Your Office Although a lot of people are working from home right now due to COVID, once things get back to normal you may be looking for ways that you can have a lot less waste at your business. So whether you have a skeleton crew in office right now or you have the normal number of people, below are five tips for reducing waste in your workplace. Go Almost Paperless Even though recycling’s helpful, the largest impact will come from using a lot less paper. Programs such as Google Docs make writing, editing and collaborating free online. There’s also Dropbox, which is a free online service which makes syncing and sharing files online, so it’s very easy to eliminate a lot of paper used in your office. Put a Recycling Bin Close By If you make it really easy to recycle, people are going to do it more often. So, why not have a recycling bin attached to your trashcans? This makes it visible and won’t take additional effort. Make it really simple for your employees by doing this and you’ll find there’s a lot less waste. Print Much Smarter Sometimes it’s necessary to print documents. You can save the amount of paper that’s wasted by having your employees set the default to print on both sides of the paper. You can also ask them to use the function that says, “Print Selection”. This encourages them only to print what is really necessary rather than having a ton of unnecessary items printed. Provide Real Silverware & Dishes Although this may not be feasible right now due to COVID, it’s something to consider in the future. Rather than spending a lot of money on paper plates, Styrofoam cups, and really flimsy utensils made of plastic, purchase some real silverware and dishes for the office café. You are going to save money because you don’t have to worry about buying them and then tossing them out. Let everyone know they’re responsible for cleaning their silverware and dishes, and if possible, get an office dishwasher. Filter the Water A lot of the trash in the office comes from those water bottles that people are always drinking out of. It’s better to have a water filter tap or a pitcher in your refrigerator so that your employees can stop bringing in those bottles and simply get filtered water right from the tap or pitcher. It’s going to save your office money on the cost of bottled water and your carbon footprint will be much smaller. These are just five easy ways that you can create less trash in your workplace. With technology as advanced as it is, cutting the amount of paperwork down is easier than ever. Not only that, but some of the tips above can also help you save money, which is something we can all get behind. Use these tips and you’re going to find it’s making a big difference.