Eco-Friendliness

Getting our Green On at Mindstorm: 20 Small Changes for the Better.

1. We chose cork for our new flooring. From harvest to production to installation, cork is environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, and healthy. Cork is a truly sustainable “green-building” material. Trees are grown and the bark is harvested without harming either the trees or their habitat.
2. We replaced our old florescent lighting with new low-energy CFL lighting.
3. Non-essential workrooms have lights on motion detectors. When someone is in the room, they are on. Once the room is empty, the turn off.
4. We resisted the lure of the shiny new cubicles and chose recycled workstations in our new office upfit.
5. Every office and workstation has two recycle bins: one paper, one plastic. We have only one trashcan in the entire office. If it can’t be recycled, we have to get off our duffs and walk to it. It’s a pain to throw things away…that’s the point!
6. Our water heater and thermostat are on programmable timers so we aren’t wasting energy during times when the office is empty.
7. We have tinted windows and blinds on office windows that allow natural light but help control heat and cold exposure as well.
8. We don’t drink bottled water. GASP. Instead we have a fantastic water cooler that provides hot and cold water for us to drink.
9. We don’t use paper cups or plates. We use glass that we can wash and reuse.
10. We only use digital faxing. Our faxes are sent and received from computers and only printed if necessary.
11. For all internal printing, we use both sides of the paper.
12. We keep all client and vendor files in digital formats that are backed up on various media. Our file cabinets almost echo now!
13. We use shredded paper for packing. No Styrofoam or plastic bags for us thanks.
14. We only use eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
15.  We carpool to meetings/events whenever possible. (A little more bonding time never hurt!)
16. We seek vendors with green initiatives and have them educate us on their efforts and products so that we may effectively meet our clients’ needs with like-minded resources.
17.  We use online proofing, teleconferencing and online broadcasting as much as possible to reduce car and plane travel. The added benefit for our clients, we spend more time working and less time sitting in traffic or airports.
18.  We purchase needed office products in bulk to cut down on packaging waste and we endeavor to use refillable products as opposed to disposable whenever possible.
19. We turn OFF our computers and office equipment every night because even in sleep or standby mode, electric appliances draw power. If we are going to close for a length of time, we pull the plugs.
20.  We help educate and encourage our colleagues, neighbors and clients on little changes that they can make to feel great about green!