2: Paper
Paper is becoming less essential, but a paperless office is still out of reach for the majority of us. Each year, on average, an American office worker produces 375 pounds of paper waste. While reducing paper use is the greenest approach, you should also buy chlorine-free, 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Production of this paper requires almost half as much energy and emits more than a third less greenhouse gases than virgin paper. Plus, it uses no additional trees.

3: Rubber bands
Buy rubber bands made from recycled materials. Rubber production, especially highly-elastic rubber, is resource-, chemically- and energy-intensive. Not only are recycled rubber bands significantly less ecologically-harmful to produce, they help reduce rubber waste and incineration (an environmentally-devastating practice) from items like discarded tires.

4: Clipboards
Many clipboards are made from particle board. Particle board is made with formaldehyde, which is emitted into the atmosphere. It is made using pre-consumer recycled materials, meaning its production still depends on the consumption of new resources. Buy clipboards made without formaldehyde-based binders and made from mostly (or all) post-consumer recycled materials.

5: Desk caddies
Put these storage units on every desk. They promote the re-use of office supplies like paper clips, binders, thumb tacks, rubber bands, and index cards. This reduces waste and overhead costs over time. When purchasing these items, look for those made from post-consumer recycled materials.

Little changes in office supply decisions might not seem like much, but this is part of the attitude that has put the environment in jeopardy. The little things -- both negative and positive-- add up over time. And of course the benefits of greener choices are compounded as more businesses contribute. By being environmentally-conscious with basic decisions, your business can start doing its part, and even increase enthusiasm toward going green in bigger ways.