Eco-Friendly Office Supply Options

Sustainable alternatives for environmentally conscious businesses

Introduction to Sustainable Office Supplies

Office Elements is committed to providing environmentally responsible office supply options that help businesses reduce their ecological footprint without compromising on quality or performance. This guide highlights our eco-friendly product lines, explains relevant environmental certifications, and provides guidance on developing sustainable procurement practices.

Important: Sustainable office products are continuously evolving as new materials and manufacturing processes are developed. Visit our website or contact your account representative for the most current eco-friendly product options and specifications.

Understanding Environmental Certifications

Key Certifications and Their Meaning

Certification Description Product Categories
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Ensures products come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits Paper, cardboard, wooden products
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Promotes sustainable forest management and responsible purchasing of forest products Paper, wood-based products
Green Seal Certifies products that meet rigorous performance, health, and environmental criteria Cleaning products, paper, office supplies
ENERGY STAR Identifies energy-efficient products that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions Electronics, office equipment
EPEAT Global rating system for greener electronics, covering the full product lifecycle Computers, displays, imaging equipment
Cradle to Cradle Certified Assesses product safety, circularity, carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness Various products across categories
Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA) Certifies products processed without chlorine or chlorine compounds Paper products

Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) Content

Products with post-consumer waste content contain materials that have completed their life cycle as consumer items and would otherwise have been disposed of as waste. The percentage indicates how much of the product is made from these recycled materials:

Tip: Look for our eco-friendly symbol ECO in our catalog and online store to easily identify products with environmental certifications or sustainable attributes.

Eco-Friendly Paper Products

Copy and Printing Paper

Our sustainable paper options balance environmental responsibility with performance:

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EarthChoice® Office Paper

FSC 30% PCW Acid-Free

Multipurpose printing paper made with 30% post-consumer fiber. Features excellent opacity, brightness, and jam-free performance in all office equipment.

Available in: Letter, Legal, Tabloid, A4 | 20 lb. and 24 lb. weights

Notebooks, Pads, and Filing

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EcoJot Recycled Notebooks

100% PCW Soy Inks

Premium spiral-bound notebooks made from 100% post-consumer waste paper with vegetable-based inks. Available in college-ruled, graph paper, and blank formats.

Available in: 5" × 8", 8.5" × 11" | 70-sheet and 100-sheet options

Sustainable Writing Instruments

Eco-Friendly Pens and Pencils

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Pilot B2P (Bottle to Pen)

Recycled Refillable

Retractable gel pens made from recycled water bottles (89% recycled content). Smooth writing experience with quick-drying gel ink. Refills available to extend life cycle.

Available in: Blue, Black, Red, Green | 0.7mm and 1.0mm points

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ForestChoice Graphite Pencils

FSC Non-Toxic

Premium #2 graphite pencils made from FSC-certified wood with natural clay-based core. No paint finish to reduce chemical use. Each pencil plants a tree through reforestation partners.

Available in: Unfinished natural wood | 12-pack, 24-pack, 144-pack

Green Office Accessories

Desk Organization

Adhesives and Fasteners

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Bamboo Desk Organizer Set

Renewable Biodegradable

Complete desk organization system made from sustainable bamboo. Includes pen cup, letter tray, drawer organizer, and business card holder. Naturally antibacterial and water-resistant.

Available as: Individual pieces or complete 5-piece set

Eco-Friendly Mailing and Packaging

Sustainable Shipping Supplies

Internal Mail Systems

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EcoEnclose Recycled Poly Mailers

100% PCW Reusable Recyclable

Durable shipping mailers made from 100% recycled content (50% post-consumer). Features dual adhesive strip allowing for reuse. Waterproof and tear-resistant.

Available in: 6 sizes from 6" × 9" to 19" × 24" | White or kraft exterior

Implementing a Green Office Program

Sustainable Procurement Policy

Developing a comprehensive sustainable procurement policy helps formalize your commitment to environmental responsibility:

  1. Conduct a baseline assessment of current purchasing patterns
  2. Set specific goals for transitioning to eco-friendly alternatives
  3. Establish minimum standards for environmental certifications
  4. Create a preferred vendor list based on sustainability credentials
  5. Develop green purchasing guidelines for procurement staff
  6. Implement tracking systems to measure progress
  7. Regularly review and update the policy as new options become available
Tip: Office Elements can provide a customized eco-friendly product catalog specifically tailored to your organization's sustainability goals and budget requirements.

Employee Engagement

Successfully transitioning to sustainable office supplies requires employee buy-in:

Cost Considerations

Understanding the True Cost

When evaluating eco-friendly office supplies, consider these factors:

Cost-Neutral Strategies

Implementing these approaches can help manage costs while transitioning to sustainable supplies:

Important: Office Elements offers price matching on eco-friendly alternatives to conventional products for Business Account customers with sustainability initiatives. Ask your account representative for details.

Tracking and Reporting Environmental Impact

Office Elements provides tools to help quantify the environmental benefits of sustainable purchasing:

These reports can be valuable for sustainability reporting, marketing materials, and employee engagement initiatives.

Custom Eco-Friendly Business Identity Packages

Office Elements offers complete business identity packages using sustainable materials:

Our design team can help develop a cohesive, professional brand identity that reflects your environmental values.

Getting Help

For assistance with eco-friendly office supplies:

Request our Green Office Guide for comprehensive information on transitioning to a sustainable workplace.