Good business is becoming synonymous with environmentally friendly business. Not only does this get a thumbs-up from Mother Nature and clients alike, but it is also good for the bottom line. Best of all, going green doesn’t require a large outlay of cash or a lot of your time and energy.

Here are some effective ways to reduce waste in four key areas in the office.

> Paperless. Despite the promise of technology, companies today are using as much paper as ever. In fact, according to Environment Canada, about one-third of all waste in this country is paper and paperboard.

It doesn’t have to be that way, says Alanna McPhee, education officer with the Resource Recovery Fund Board in Nova Scotia. She recommends financial advisors start down the paperless path by taking a number of small steps. Many documents, for example, can be photocopied on both sides of the page. Many printers offer the same option. Also helpful, whenever possible, is producing single-spaced documents with narrower margins. And reuse scrap paper that has been printed on only one side. This “garbage” can be turned into notepads and to-do lists.

In some cases, of course, there is no need for paper at all. E-mailing information or circulating a document electronically, instead of photocopying it, can significantly reduce the paper pile. Likewise, there is often no need for a fax cover sheet, especially for routine correspondence. A Post-It fax note or laminated cover sheet can be used instead. In meetings, whiteboards can be as effective as flip charts.

Finally, commit to using recycled paper and to recycling. Ac-cording to the Raven Recycling Society in Whitehorse, Yukon, manufacturing recycled paper is a boon to the environment. It produces 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution, as well as using 58% less water and 64% less energy than making paper from virgin wood pulp. Recycling one tonne of paper boasts equally impressive numbers: it saves 17 trees, 26,312 litres of water and 1,752 litres of oil, and reduces air pollutants by 264 kilograms.

> Energy Going green doesn’t mean giving up the comforts of modern technology. It does mean rethinking how you use — and misuse — energy in your office.

Start by looking up. Today, compact fluorescent light bulbs are easily available and highly recommended. Indeed, says Heather Tacker, program co-ordinator of the small-business energy efficiency program at Clean Nova Scotia, a non-profit organization that promotes environmental health: “If you have an incandescent bulb that burns at least three hours a day, it’s worth replacing that bulb with a compact fluorescent.”

Don’t wait for 2012, the time by which incandescent lights will be phased out by the federal government. Do the math now. “Estimate the savings,” Tacker says, “so you can figure out the payback.”

Other areas to consider are heating, insulation and equipment. If you own your building, ensure the heating system is well maintained and includes an annual inspection. Also pay attention to insulation and air circulation. If you feel a small breeze around closed doors, closed windows or light fixtures, it may be time to invest in a tube of caulking and some weather stripping. Or, if you rent, ask your landlord to do this.

If you are in the market for a new printer, photocopy machine, fridge for the staff kitchen or any other equipment that requires a plug, investing in Energy Star products will pay off. This program, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, brings an instantly recognizable stamp of approval to energy-efficient equipment.

Efficiency is also linked to use. A 600-watt photocopier left on standby 24 hours a day, for example, uses two-thirds more electricity than one turned on only during working hours.

If you are on a demand-metered system, disburse your load. This means you should not turn on your coffee machine, your lights and your photocopier at the same time every day.

> Water. “We may sometimes feel that water is in abundance. But in reality, it’s a limited resource,” says Carrie O’Rourke, public relations representative for Kohler Canada in Toronto, which manufactures fixtures for bathrooms and kitchens.

Conserving water can also save money. Start with the plumbing in the washroom and in the kitchen if your office has one. Ensure that all taps are tightly shut and any drips are fixed or reported to building maintenance.

@page_break@Investing in low-consumption toilets and touchless taps is also water-wise. While you will pay more up front, you won’t be flushing money down the drain in the long run. A water cooler may also be a smart investment; it saves running the tap to get the water cold.

> Reuse. New is not always better. Reusing materials is good for the environment, the conscience and the balance statement. It’s also a snap. “Use rejuvenated toner cartridges, mechanical pencils, refillable pens, refillable tape dispensers and reusable coffee filters,” says McPhee.

She also recommends you pack your lunch in reusable containers, reuse packaging supplies and use reusable mugs, plates and cutlery in the lunchroom.

Many of us are wasteful. Ca-nadians collectively produce more than 31 million tonnes of waste a year — or 2.7 kilograms a person a day. The partners in Waste Reduction Week, a national initiative, recommend businesses conduct waste audits to determine the weight, volume and types of waste materials they are generating. The program has developed an easy-to-use business waste assessment worksheet, available at www.wrwcanada.com. IE