Nearly every office, be it commercial or home-based, may have areas of inefficiency that can be improved upon. We are not talking sales figures or profit margins or budgets, but inefficient waste and resource management. For instance, let us look at some common aspects and consider how consumption can be reduced and how to make better use of resources.

Not all paper work and receipts need to be shredded, but sometimes, for sake of security, it is necessary. This shredded paper is recyclable or it can be contributed in layers to a compost or worm bin. It can also be donated to animal shelters or pet stores where it is used in bottom of cages to help keep them clean. This will ease workloads on staff, keep operational costs down, and animals are more comfortable in their cages. The animal waste along with bedding is easily composted.

It can sometimes be difficult to visualize importance and direct effect that simple conservation efforts can have when we are bombarded with negative information regularly. Lets take a look at what a few changes in activities around kitchen sink can do.

Rather than running tap when cleaning vegetables, use a bowl of water. Later, reuse it to water outdoor plants. Reusing water from rinsing out coffeepot for outdoor plants, compost or lawn is something we do all time. Rich in nitrogen as well as some trace minerals, coffeepots should be diluted with water before using. Choose a different group of plants every day and you may find you no longer have to water or fertilize them very often at all. Cooking water (pasta, steamed vegetables, boiled potatoes etc.) can be used in same way – just let it cool first. All of these water sources contain extra nutrients that will aid your gardens immensely. Very hot cooking water can be used to kill weeds – simply pour it directly on weed and around its roots.

After meals, scrape your dishes into compost bucket before rinsing. While rinsing, place other soiled dishes, jars and utensils underneath while you work; it will begin presoaking process – reducing labor and water use. Anything caught in sink basket can be contributed to compost, too.