Getting Green++++

What retailers can do

RECYCLE AN Y THING TO EVERY THING

Recycle glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, aluminum and metal cans, batteries, and more. Organize your own neighborhood recycling effort if your community doesn’t have recycling or if it’s limited.

Introduce a policy to purchase environmentally friendly office products including paper, furniture, and writing supplies. When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and minimal chlorine bleaching. Print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper. If you ship packages, reuse boxes and use shredded waste paper as packing material. Make sure to recycle old computers, printers, and digital equipment, too. Here are some other ideas from retailers:

• “We recycle paper, plastic and aluminum. We have a shredder for credit card or other secure information.All paper is taken to an area school. We’re also considering using cloth bags for customers. T hey can purchase the bag at cost. Then, they can bring it back for future purchases and receive a discount. It’ll have our information on it so if they use it anywhere else it’ll be free promotion.” —Marty Guise (Lay Renewal Ministries, Saint Louis, MO)

• “We’ve tried to be responsible in various ways…like keeping Styrofoam chips for people to use in insulation, trying to care for excess cardboard, using recyclable paper on our store stationery, etc.” —Byron Borger (Hearts & Minds, Dallastown, PA)

IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Set goals to reduce energy use. See www.energy-star.gov to find out how.

Some ways include switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) when possible. Consider the energy lost through windows and insulation—new windows and more insulation will save energy and money. Install a programmable thermostat, and turn off electronics when not in use.

• “We’re getting our windows tinted to help save on our cooling bill. We use minimum lighting after closing and always turn off all lights in the offices.” —Reginald Finley (Called to Conquer Bookstore, Lithonia, GA)

USE LESS GASOLINE

The average American worker spends 47 hours per

year commuting through rush hour traffic, adding up to 3. 7 billion hours and 23 billion gallons of wasted gas nationwide each year. You can ease this strain by carpooling, taking public transit, biking, or walking. Consider getting a hybrid, electric vehicle, motorcycle, or scooter. Some employers give a bonus to bike and carpool commuters and special perks to hybrid drivers (“How to Green Your Work,” www.treehug-ger.com). Some vehicles even run on used vegetable oil, collected from local restaurants.

LUNCH/COFFEE TIME

Use a coffee maker (using fair-trade coffee) and ask each employee to bring in a mug or glass from home rather than going out and getting coffee in disposable cups. If you have a café, use cups made of recycled material, and encourage customers to use one of your mugs and stay awhile.

Bring lunch to work in reusable containers. If you do order delivery, join coworkers in placing an order (more efficient than many separate ones). Also, bring in a reusable plates, utensils, and napkins. If you go out for lunch, try biking or walking instead of driving.

lightweight paper needs.

“The Bible is the most widely circulated book on the planet, and Thomas Nelson’s leadership and use of environmentally responsible paper is a living legacy to the Bible’s message of stewardship,” says Tyson Miller, director of the Green Press Initiative, a national effort aimed at improving book publishing and the paper industry’s impacts.

Thomas Nelson is also currently in the developmental phases of a task force to educate its employees about the importance of environmental practices and how they can personally contribute to conservation efforts. Early ventures include establishing a paper-recycling program at office locations and reducing disposable cup and plate use. The task force is currently doing research to identify other opportunities within the workplace to implement eco-friendly practices.

Random House (WaterBrook Multnomah parent company) was recognized by the SustainPrint. com Leadership awards at the 2007 Book Business conference as “Newcomer of the Year” for its recently announced policy to increase its use of recycled paper to 30% by 2010, up from 3% in 2006.

Products

Borger says, “Publishers need more books— theologically sound and practical and politically wise on this topic—but they must be reassured that stores will stock and promote them!”

Newer titles include:

• In April, Zondervan released Serve God, Save

42 CBA Retailers+Resources | 10.07

The Official Magazine of CBA