Manufacturers and supply companies are faced with enormous challenges when trying to institute and maintain green practices in their businesses. A certain amount of waste and harm to the environment is going to happen, no matter what the intentions are. However, some companies are more environmentally conscious than others and their ISO 14001 accreditation will reduce waste, costs and risk.
Here are seven green office supplies companies that have proven they are committed to protecting our environment.
Lyreco
Lyreco is an office supplies company that has gone global while still maintaining environmentally sound practices. Lyreco exists in 44 countries, with 1,750 vans and drivers delivering office supplies. In a company this large, you would expect some waste and wouldn’t think of them as a leader in ‘green’ practices. However, Lyreco is both ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001(environmental management) certified.
Lyreco has also signed the Global Compact Initiative, covering the areas of anti-corruption, labour standards, human rights and environment preservation. Lyreco practises what it preaches, providing green products with no additional packaging. They avoid re-packaging whenever they can and have launched the use of two zero emission electric vans for deliveries in the London area. They hope to begin using more of these vans in other European cities as well.
RedBox
For over forty years, RedBox has striven to provide their customers with everything from document and data storage to workplace furniture. They are also dedicated to using green practices and have introduced many unique initiatives to further this goal. They have proven they uphold green practices by earning the ISO 14001 accreditation.
65 percent of the delivery vans used by RedBox are Mercedes Benz Sprinter ECO-Starts. These vans have a unique ECO-start engine that will make the van automatically cut out when stopped in traffic. They also print most of their catalogues and literature on FSC accredited paper, meaning they are concerned about not contributing to the destruction of our rainforests. To help even further, they make most of their literature available electronically.
One of the most interesting initiatives that RedBox uses is re-using their own cardboard boxes. Their drivers can collect and reuse each box five times, thereby reducing waste in packaging.
Follow RedBox on Twitter @REDBOX_office
WG Office Supplies LTD
For 38 years, WG Office Supplies LTD has serviced the UK with superior products and efficient service. WG was one of the founding members of Integra, Europe’s largest buying group. They are recognised for their business approach that combines price, quality, service and performance.
WG supplies over 30,000 products from computer supplies, general stationary and paper, to office machines, facilities management and office furniture. WG is ISO 14001 accredited, proving their dedication to green practices. In 2011, WG was also awarded the BOSS federation award for the Best UK Company in the over £5m category. (Read about the Boss federation)
WG offers some unique incentives for using their services. They offer a free audit service that has saved their customers between 45 and 71 percent on their supplies. They will also give businesses a free iPad after three months so that they can download their free app for better access to their products.
Follow WG Office Supplies LTD on Twitter @WGOnline
OfficeTeam
OfficeTeam began in 1888 as a professional and legal stationery supplier called Oyez. Oyez acquired Straker, StatPlus, Whitegrove and Dudley, creating one of the largest office product and service suppliers in the country. In 2010, the new group of banded together companies received a new name: OfficeTeam.
OfficeTeam has earned the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 accreditations, showing they are dedicated to quality management and environmental protection. They offer easy recycling services to their customers, such as collecting any recyclable waste when they deliver a new order. They actively support renewable energy, sustainable natural products and sustainable waste management.
A talented purchasing team keeps watch over pricing and market trends, and if you find a cheaper product from a competitor, OfficeTeam will match the price for up to 28 days.
Almo Office
Almo Office has been in the office supplies industry for over sixty years and states that their goal is to deliver unrivalled services. They are one of the most environmentally sensitive companies in the entire industry. They have obtained their ISO 14001 accreditation, as well as being awarded the Carbon Neutral status. However, they continue to work on reducing their carbon footprint.
Most recently, Almo has been more involved with their client’s businesses by helping them make positive changes in how they do business. They support cost effective changes that have a positive impact on the environment. In fact, they maintain a separate database of green products to help their clients make the switch.
Many times, consumers feel that it is too expensive to go green, as eco-products can often cost much more than traditional products. Almo works hard to supply products that are cheaper, better quality and more green. Their next steps include looking into alternative power, introducing a cycle to work scheme and using green vans.
Follow Almo Office on Twitter @AlmoOffice
Heatons
Heatons maintains a friendly and happy staff to take care of all product orders. From their personal account managers to the free cuddly toys given out as a surprise, you will not find a friendlier staff of people.
Heatons is confident they can save you money on your office supplies. In fact, if they can’t, the will give you High Street Vouchers worth £20. Their free CAD design service will help you see how new furniture or a new set up will look before committing to an order. If you just can’t picture it on paper, they will build a 3D mock up for you.
Heatons believes that the happier the office, the more productive the staff will be. By telling them how you make your office happy, you are entered into a drawing to win the Heaton’s Monthly Office Surprise Competition. You can win a free cuddly toy or other fun prize.
With over 22,000 products and free nationwide delivery, Heatons will save you time and money. The inflated price of recycled products is no more. Heatons has a dedicated green catalogue and many of their regular items are made from recycled content. They have earned their ISO 14001 accreditation and continue to find new ways to protect the environment. These initiatives include everything from driving a ‘greener fleet’ of vans to making sure their employees switch off the lights. They will also pick up your empty toners, return them to the manufacturers and donate the proceeds to charity. Over £3,000 was donated last year through this programme.
Follow Heatons on Twitter @HeatonsOffice
Viking
Viking was established in 1960 and is present in over 11 countries, with 1300 people employed here in the UK. Viking is actually part of Office Depot, one of the largest office supply companies in the world.
Free delivery, free installation of office furniture and no quibble returns are trademarks of Viking. Satisfaction is guaranteed. In fact, if you are not completely satisfied with your Viking purchase, they will actually pick up your order for no charge.
Even though they are a large company, Viking is dedicated to global environmental strategy with its concept of “Be Green, Buy Green, Sell Green, Tell Green.” They feel it is important to use greener practices in the office but also to educate others on the benefits of going green.
Follow Viking on Twitter @viking_chat
Please click on any of the hyperlinks or pictures above to learn more about these innovative companies and their practices.
