One of my clients, Sheila Sheffield of Tree Beginnings, has recently started blogging, and it looks like she’s really getting into the spirit of things, because she has tagged me in The Green Challenge. The idea is to pass on three ideas about how you try to minimize your impact on the environment, then tag 5 more bloggers to carry it on.

I had no trouble at all coming up with three!

Good Garbage: I take full advantage of the programs available where I live, carefully ensuring that recyclables and compostables do not end up as landfill. All reusable goods are donated to a local charity.

Printing Practices: I print only when necessary, and rather than putting paper that’s only printed on one side in the recycling, I’ll use the other side for printing drafts if it’s in good condition. If it’s been folded, I’ll use the back for handwritten notes.

Minimal Mileage: As a virtual assistant who works from home and lives within walking distance of a drugstore, library, bank, hairdresser, and many other amenities, I drive less than 10,000 km per year.

I’m tagging the following bloggers:

1. Diane Coville
2. Jacki Hollywood Brown
3. Julie Bestry
4. Kathy Stinson
5. Melodee Patterson

I know you’re all very busy, so if you can’t fit this into your schedule anytime soon, I’ll understand, but if and when you do, please link back to this post and/or leave a comment here so we won’t miss your answers!

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Green Living.

Many of us are managing to save paper and ink by printing only when a hard copy is really necessary and by printing on both sides of the page whenever possible. We also buy recycled office products and return our ink and toner cartridges to be refilled. That’s all commendable, but there’s a company in the Netherlands who has taken things one step further by developing a font that cuts ink usage by 15%. It looks like this:

As you can see, the reduction in ink consumption was achieved by inserting holes throughout the letters. When used in a standard size, it is quite functional for drafts and other documents where a clean polished look is not required, as shown here:

You can learn more about this project and download the Ecofont from http://www.ecofont.eu/downloads_en.html.

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Environmentally Friendly Printing.

If you’re trying to reduce your paper consumption, you’re probably reading and working on more things online, but it may not always be convenient. If you have checklists or other forms that you use on a regular basis, it can be cumbersome to work with them on your computer, so instead you print off a copy when you need it, or a supply to have on hand. If you need to keep those completed forms on file, that’s all well and good, but how many of those get tossed once you’re finished with them?

Instead of printing, using and then discarding multiple copies of the same item, all you really need is one copy, a plastic sheet protector, and a dry erase marker! Once you’re finished with that checklist or form, simply wipe it off, and it’s ready to use again. You’ll spend less on paper, your recycling bin won’t fill up as quickly, and you’ll save a few trees!

If you have a bunch of forms, you can easily store them neatly in a binder. Otherwise, trim off the edge with the three holes, and your sheet will fit nicely in a standard file folder.

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Nearly Paperless Forms.

I became hooked on Sears catalogues when I was a little girl. Not just the Wish Book, like most kids – I liked all of them. I would go through each catalogue many times, sometimes just to enjoy the pictures, and other times pretending that I had to choose one item from each page, or playing some other game that I made up for myself. And to this day, I still get excited when a new catalogue comes out – even though they seem to come out earlier and earlier (who orders a winter coat in June, anyway?) and despite the fact that I can’t remember the last time I actually ordered anything.

When I deliver an organizing seminar (like the one I’ll be doing for the IEEE Toronto Women in Engineering Affinity Group next week), I frequently mention that with so much up-to-date information available online, there’s really no need to keep most paper catalogues. Despite that, I have a special spot in my home where I keep all my catalogues until they reach their expiry date. Sometimes I even look at them! However, I think it’s time for me to take my own advice. The next time I’m at the UPS Store (which is also my Sears catalogue pickup location) and I see those shiny new books, I will smile, with fond memories of my childhood, and walk on by. And when a sales catalogue is delivered to me, after browsing it, I’ll place it in my recycling along with all the other flyers.

If more people stop taking those catalogues, Sears (and other companies) won’t have to print as many – and think how many trees that will save!

Hmm, I wonder what I can put in the space I’ll free up in my living room?

Please visit From the Desk of Janet Barclay to read and comment on Reducing Clutter.