| It's time for all of us to do our part to help the | | | | 3. Unplug Equipment. The carpenter on HGTV, Carter |
| environment. Being "green" or environmentally friendly is | | | | Osterhouse, said in one of his commercials about going |
| not only for naturalists or those "nutty earth people." | | | | green that appliances use as much as 40% of their |
| As a freelance writer, I want to do my part. Following | | | | energy when they are plugged in, even if they're |
| are four green tips for freelance writers that are | | | | turned off. |
| relatively easy to follow. | | | | So, in addition to logging off, unplug your office |
| It's the little efforts that we all put forth that will help | | | | equipment at the end of each day. While it may seem |
| Mother Earth. If you're a freelance writer who is or | | | | to be inconvenient to constantly plug and unplug it, think |
| wants to be environmentally conscious, this is for you. | | | | of the huge savings to the environment - we all share |
| 1. Recycle Electronics. Did you know that electronics | | | | this planet. It's time for us to contribute even though it |
| equipment is one of the fastest growing segments of | | | | may be just a tad inconvenient. |
| our nation's waste? It's called e-waste, and consists of | | | | Osterhouse also reminded us that we should routinely |
| popular electronics we all use, eg, copy machines, fax | | | | unplugged all appliances around the house when |
| machines, computers, televisions, etc. | | | | they're not in use, eg, the coffeemaker, toaster, |
| All of this can be recycled, reused and/or refurbished. | | | | microwave, etc. |
| To learn more, visit epa.gov and look for information on | | | | 4. Use Recycled Paper. Using recycled paper should |
| recycling. They have info on where to donate your old | | | | become the norm. It's easy to find and does so much |
| equipment, links to local organizations that participate in | | | | for the environment. |
| e-waste programs and a general FAQ section about | | | | Consider this: Some experts say that recycling one ton |
| recycling electronics. If you're in California, an excellent | | | | of newspaper saves about 4,000 KWh of electricity. |
| site to visit is erecycle.org. | | | | This amount of electricity can provide power to a |
| 2. Go to a Paperless Office. I've had a paperless | | | | 3-bedroom European house for a whole year, and/or |
| office for years. It had nothing to do with being green, | | | | enough energy to heat and air-condition the average |
| just being practical. It turns out though that it's one of | | | | North American home for almost six months. [Source: |
| the best moves I could have made to help the | | | | (look for entries on paper recycling)] |
| environment. | | | | When you buy recycled paper, purchase the brand |
| Creating a paperless offices is easier than you might | | | | that has the highest recycled content as possible. For |
| think. In 2001 when I lived in NY, I moved my business | | | | a product to carry the recycle logo, it has to meet |
| from an office space into my one-bedroom apartment. | | | | federal standards which mandate that it be at least |
| As space was limited, I wanted to eliminate the need | | | | 30% pre-consumer content. |
| for a file cabinet. So, I started scanning and storing files | | | | Going Green Adds Up |
| electronically. I used email as much as possible instead | | | | There are just a few green tips for freelance writers. |
| of a fax machine and I only printed when it was | | | | With a little thought, I'm sure you could come up with |
| absolutely necessary. | | | | many more. And, while a few of these may seem |
| As I ran a staffing agency at the time, I had to keep all | | | | nominal, they add up. |
| kinds of document son file, so you'd think it would have | | | | Green tips for freelance writers are easy to follow, if |
| been difficult. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it | | | | being environmentally friendly is important to you. |
| was to go - and remain - a paperless office. | | | | |
