paper towels v. cloth towels

paper towels v. cloth towels - a raging debate!

  Well, it's not so much a raging debate but a point of discussion.  

Trees v water...

  Does anyone have any research, read any articles or have any thoughts

 on this?

Margaret Hamlett Shinn

FW: Meeting Notes, 3-20-8; NOTE revised next meeting date, 4-23, 3:00

Meeting Notes from the Tulsa Green Team. March 20, 2008

1. Present were Adrienne, Scott, Neta, Kimberly, Judy Monroe, Billy, Sunny, Sara, Juana, and Marcia. A green meeting was had by all.
2. Discussion.
1. Styrofoam cups: Judy reported that washing cups uses less energy than using disposable cups. Neta said that paper cups are prohibitively expensive. We will continue to wash dishes on Friday afternoons per the earlier schedule, but only if the dishwasher is close to full. If not, just hold it to the next week. We decided we need a schedule posted by the dishwasher, so people can note when they washed the dishes or decided to put it off to next week. We agree that if you wash the dishes, you should empty the dishwasher also. We also decided that we would use ceramic cups for our clients, as well. If we lose too many cups, we will reconsider. Juana asked if we could move the cups to lower shelves. There was considerable discussion about human nature.
2. Paper: Scott reported that Shredders Inc. will give us recycle bins for paper. We can put confidential and non-confidential paper in the bins. When they are full, we can call and they will take the bins away and shred and recycle the paper. The cost is about $40 every time we empty a bin, which Bud has informally OK’d. The consensus was that we need to go ahead with this, and that we should get enough bins to put them near the printer/copiers. We also can get some cardboard boxes for paper, so that people can store paper in their offices.
3. Cans: Sara looked into recycling cans, and found that no one will come get our cans. But, she offered to take cans to the Day Center. The Day Center lets residents take the cans for recycling and keep the money. Billy will get a garbage can and liners so we can set up a bin. Billy has also brought in a can crusher. We will look into buying recycled liners for the can bin. Adrienne says we can get those at Reasor’s.
4. Lights: we all wonder why we can’t turn off more lights. We can check with bldg maintenance. It might also help to label the light switches, so people can turn on certain areas when they are here on the weekend.
5. Other: Kimberly suggested putting up posters about green practices in kitchen and other areas. Adrienne asked about “draft” printing mode. Billy said that it doesn’t save much ink. Adrienne talked about using double-sided printing to save paper. Dave suggested putting up a receptacle for recycling batteries.
3. To-do
1. Scott

i. Reconstruct dishwashing schedule and post near dishwasher.

ii. Put coffee cups in lower shelves, if possible.

iii. Call to line up paper recycling bins.

iv. Call maintenance and find out where light switches are.

v. Label light switches.

vi. Remind people to turn off computers when they leave.

vii. Ask everyone to use ceramic cups and put them in dishwasher to be washed, rather than leaving them in the sink.

2. Billy

i. Get garbage can and liners for cans.

3. Sara

i. Take cans to Day Center when garbage can is full.

4. Adrienne

i. During training on the new printer/copiers, find out how to print double-sided, so we can train others.

5. Dave

i. Fix up something in the kitchen for collecting old batteries (no car batteries).

4. Next meeting
1. Wednesday, April 23^rd, 3:00. Note: this is a week later than we talked about because of a homeless meeting on the 16^th.

Welcome!

It's time to start thinking green!

The Tulsa Law Office started by creating a GREEN COMMITTEE!

The committee meets every so often and has started a list of 'things we can do.'

The first suggestion from Billy Harl, Deputy Director of Information Technology:

In an effort to reduce greenhouse gasses I would like to remind all employees to turn off their computers at night. On average a PC consumes around 486 kWh (Kilowatts) per year based on a 7.5 hour day. By turning off your computer at night you will save over 1060 kWh per year on average this around $11.00 savings per PC per year not to mention you will be helping the environment.

I understand there are special exceptions to this request for users who remote into their PCs from home. But please try to make a conscious effort where possible.

What's your idea?

What's next for the TLO? Stay tuned.... and don't forget to add your post by sending an email to lasogoesgreen@blogspot.com!