Rather than cutting down a tree to use a paper cup or plate with a plastic (petroleum product) utensil, to add to the already over used landfill, we chose to eliminate such products from our offices.

We've restocked with planet friendly bowls, plates, glasses and utensils. Although there's a slight increase in water used for dish washing, the combined savings of other resources outweighs the water expended. Besides, with each person responsible for washing what they use, people rethink the number of items they need.

In addition to the reduced impact on our landfill, we have reduced the impact on the precious space in our offices. Large amounts of storage space is no longer wasted on disposable products. There is no delivery/restocking interruption by the supplier and no CO2 footprint made with repeat deliveries.

The trees we would have otherwise used, could remain in the forests collecting CO2 from the atmosphere. A mature tree sequesters and stores 48 lbs. of CO2 per year. That same tree turns around and releases enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 human beings each year.