Having a greener practice is just not about color.
Nor is it about a green eyed monster.
Instead today, green is about being eco-friendly by recycling as much as you can, purchasing recycled products, and in general reducing your consumption of goods that may adversely impact the environment.
A greener practice may not only reduce your business carbon footprint, but it may green up your wallet as well.

1. Do you really need to print that to paper? Not only will you save paper, but ink as well.
   Consider if that document can be printed to PDF and saved to your document management system.
   
2. Don't copy and print when you can scan.
   
3. Got clean? Consider switching to eco-friendly cleaning products from a sustainable company.
   
4. Recycle at the office.
   These days it's easy to recycle paper, plastics, aluminum.
   Replace disposable dishes with china dishware.
   Staff can bring in extra dishes from home, or purchase a good used set at the local thrift store.
   
5. Check to see if your staff is utilizing "red bag" disposables appropriately.
   Sometimes, in a hurry, people will drop anything into the bio-hazard rather than regular trash.
   
6. Keep it out of the landfill.
   Consider buying gently used medical equipment.
   
7. Refills.
   Many office supply places now will allow you to recycle printer cartridges and toner drums.
   
8. Duplex.
   If you have to print, then utilize both sides of the paper.
   Many references are available now online - including many medical texts and coding tools.
   You need not worry about what to do with those outdated texts.
   
9. Using an electronic medical records system is a huge step in the right direction when it comes having a green office.
   Wondering what to do with those paper charts? After they have been scanned, they can be shredded appropriate and the paper recycled.
   
10. Sharing medical records? See if the requesting office will accept records as a PDF file on disc, or better yet, as a secured file transfer.
    
11. Sell or donate your used computer equipment, books and medical equipment.
    You'll often find eager recipients at colleges and charitable organizations.
    
12. Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
    It'll save money and energy.
    
13. Share your methods and don't keep your green efforts to yourself.
    Ask your staffto think about ways to reduce waste and energy consumption in the office and be sure to offer to share your philosophy with patients.
    

© 2010, Barbara C.
Phillips, NP.
All Rights Reserved.