Welcome to part nineteen of our blog series on Going Green, dedicated to helping attorneys practice law in a more environmentally friendly way.  Last week we discussed offsetting carbon emissions by giving back to the environment.  This week we will turn our focus towards remodeling, retooling, and recycling the big stuff.

In any office, there is an assortment of “stuff”.  There are tables, chairs, desks, shelves, bookcases, pictures, posters, clocks, etc.  Most offices are filled with stuff, and eventually all of that stuff gets old.

Whenever you decide that it is time to update the look and feel of your office, you should think about how you plan on disposing of the old furniture and various décor that you are getting rid of.  There are ways to do it that can help you save some money, as well as reduce your overall waste.

Recycling is an option, and it can be done in a number of ways.  You can take advantage of eBay or Craigslist to sell old furniture, and whatever else you have, to some people who may be looking for cheap stuff.  It is an easy way to get the unwanted stuff off of your hands and make a little money to pay for the replacements at the same time.

There are also companies that will come collect your stuff and take care of the entire process for you.  Use groups like Freesharing and Freecycle to move out unwanted items. You can find some great deals through these organizations as well.

You can also donate everything that you plan on getting rid of to an organization that may be in need.  Maybe there is a local community center, lodge or library that is looking to add furniture and decoration but don’t have the funds to spend.  Donating to them is a great way to give back to your community, while eliminating unnecessary waste at the same time.

And always remember, when buying the new stuff for your office, there are companies that are more efficient and sustainable than others.  Search online for environmentally sound products and companies, or use directories and guides like this one.

Past Installments in this Series
Part One – An Introduction to Going Green
Part Two – Cut Electricity Costs, Just Flip the Switch
Part Three – Forget Paper, Go Digital
Part Four – Travel Together, Travel Less
Part Five – We Recycle
Part Six – Natural Lighting
Part Seven – Know Your Gadgets
Part Eight – Setting Goals
Part Nine – Reusable Bottles and Mugs
Part Ten - Setting Employee Incentives
Part Eleven - Green Products for You
Part Twelve – Greening Your Mail
Part Thirteen – Representing Green Clients
Part Fourteen – Incentives to Work Remotely
Part Fifteen – Greener News Alternatives
Part Sixteen – Incentives to Travel Smarter
Part Seventeen – Reduce Marketing Waste
Part Eighteen – Offset Carbon Emissions