So you are a busy businessperson, I get it. You barely have time to do the thing that MUST be done, let alone the things that should. Often times, it is this reality that leads to environmental sustainability taking a back seat in the work place. No matter how busy you may be, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce your workplace’s negative environmental impact.

Pull the Plug — Is your microwave being used 24/7? No? Then why is it plugged in? While idle appliances don’t take up a ton of energy, think about all the small lights that shine, blink or flash throughout your office. Each of those displays requires energy to light up. Further, even appliances without lights or displays can consume energy when they are not turned on. Stand-by appliances can add a constant 50-watt drain to your power supply.

Your computer is a big contributor to the problem of wasted energy. Did you know that when your computer is completely idle, even if your monitor is off, it still is probably pulling about 100 watts from the wall.

Stop the Leak — You may not think it considerable, but the amount of water wasted from leaky faucets and other sources really adds up. If you notice a faucet dripping, or a spigot outside that doesn’t quite close, fix it! One drop wasted per second wastes 2,642 gallons per year. Now, that is not only bad for the environment; it is bad for you bottom line!

Make it a Double — While many of us may not think to take the time to change out printer setting, printing on both sides of the paper reduces your paper usage by … 50%! Halving you paper consumption is a great way to make a huge difference in your workplace’s environmental impact. 50% is a significant decrease and the only you have to do is flip the pages!

Cut the Chlorine — When buying paper products, most companies go for the cheapest stuff their suppliers have to offer. I mean, they are just napkins, right? Wrong! Paper products processed with chlorine are more harmful to the environment than those that are not. In fact, chlorine-free paper production uses 20-25 times less water. Moreover, the chlorine used in paper production can create dioxins that are poisonous to fish and can pollute water sources.

If your company is not ready to take the plunge into absolute greenness, you can do these five, simple things, and will be making big steps in the right direction! Hopefully, the energy, water and waste you conserve will help motivate you to do even more to become a sustainable business!