7 ways to prolong office supplies
Notepads. Copies. Binders. Folders. Pens. Staples. All are common office supplies needed for every day projects in and around the office. But, let’s face it. Businesses everywhere are looking for ways to cut costs.
When using office supplies that we haven’t paid for out of our own pockets, it’s easy to forget how the cost of items like paper, binders and file folders can add up. Organizations appreciate workers who take a careful, cost-effective approach to using supplies.
Are you doing your part? Here are a few simple reminders to help prolong the life of your office supplies:
• Think double-sided printing, note taking, etc. Always.
• If you don’t have to have it, don't buy it! Do you really need those cool colored pens? Probably not. All too often we buy office supplies on impulse.
• Get laminated wall message boards. This is great idea for post-it users.
• Recycle!
• Use Microsoft Office’s edit/tracking function in Word for proofing or taking notes. Then email instead of using paper.
• Take elastic bands and paper clips off documents before you throw away.
• If you don’t already, designate a place in your office for discarded/scrap paper for everyone to use. Before printing agendas for a meeting, refer to that place for the paper, instead of the printer paper.
How do you help save on supplies in the office? Join the conversation!
Trish Skram is a communications professional who works at Mercy Health System in Janesville and writes about Janesville's professional community. Trish is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. Her opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Apr 5, 2011 at 8:54 a.m.
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How about eliminate fax. I just had to place an order for stuff that I got a quote through email, set up an account through email, but to order I had to print out a purchase order and then fax it. Then thrown the print out away...what a waste. Cant people get with the times and use email?
Apr 3, 2011 at 8:11 p.m.
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janesvillecomments-
You might also look at the Dell line of printers. Dell has been doing a fine job with printer manufacturing for both home and business for several years now. I also currently have a Canon brand that I got very cheap and was I believe remanufactured. Works great 6 months into the purchase.
Apr 2, 2011 at 5:34 p.m.
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I suppose that would cut down on your supply of composting material.
Apr 2, 2011 at 5:26 p.m.
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Good one, Gary! I'm surprised we haven't started doing that with our coffee grounds at home. (Shhh. Don't give anyone ideas.)
I cut up the used printer paper for handy notes to myself. I have a stack of them on my desk at all times.
Also, about six of us share a stapler.
Ann Marie
Apr 2, 2011 at 5:11 p.m.
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My kids like to save on office supplies, such as paper, by writing and coloring on, but not limited to, walls and couches and car seats.
Apr 2, 2011 at 4:55 p.m.
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If your company is still using inkjet printers, convert to laser printers. The lower per-page printing costs will cover the cost of the laser printer very quickly for most businesses. Some calculations can be seen at:
http://www.pcmech.com/article/real-world...
http://www.smallbusinesscomputing.com/te...
For home use, you may also want to switch to a laser printer if you do a substantial amount of printing. During my last period of extended unemployment I tried conserving my color printing to make my inkjet color cartridge last longer. I did such a good job with conservation that the cartridge dried out, wasting most of it. Laser toner doesn't have that vulnerability.
Around 5 years ago Hewlett Packard dropped the price on their HP Color LaserJet 2600n and I bought one. I'm on my 2nd round of toner cartridges after 5 years I'm half-way through my second set of color cartridges (they can be replaced individually which is great for people who tend to use up one color faster than the other two due to company logos, school colors, etc) and I am 3/4 of the way through my 2nd black toner cartridge. That's a lot better than "If it's Tuesday it's time to visit the office supply store for another inkjet cartridge". According to my printer's stats, I get approximately 2000 pages from a black toner cartridge ($83.00) and approximately 2500 pages from each of my color toner cartridges ($92.00 each). Since toner cartridges take longer to run out than the inkjet ones, I can use Office Max's occasional shopping bag specials to pick up a replacement cartridge for a color I'm lowest on and save some money.
My next printer purchase will be a color laser printer that does full duplex (both sides of the paper automatically) printing. Full duplex printers were beyond my home printer budget when I bought my current printer, but we have been expanding the use of them at work for a few years and it really cuts down on paper costs. We do a higher percentage of multi-page documents at work, but they also save paper on those web page printouts where it looks like one page on your screen, but when you print it out you get a second page with just the browser footer (such as the page number and date time).
Apr 2, 2011 at 1:32 p.m.
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When your printer runs out of ink take the cartridge out & shake it. You'll be surprised how much long you can print afterwords
Apr 2, 2011 at 7:33 a.m.
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When I suggested my office use the clean side of discarded paper for in-house printing, I was told it was too much work to keep separate stacks of paper.
Apr 1, 2011 at 1:38 p.m.
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Try drying coffee grounds to reuse them and
refilling empty inkjet cartridges with drain oil from automobiles.
Apr 1, 2011 at 1:19 p.m.
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There are no special orders since I took over with office supplies at work. We are currently using up stock that was ordered wrong and never returned. Find a use for everything if possible. I do not usually order name brand like HP. All ink cartridges and toners are for the most part compatiables or remans. Paperclips are always circulated back thru when possible. Coupons are used when possible and always looking for the deals.
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