Recycling in the Office
Recycling over the last decade has played a key role in the environmental sustainability debate and spurred the development of new initiatives both at home and in the workplace. Transforming the traditional office mindset to accept environmental friendly initiatives is quite difficult. There are however a few important recycling tips that can effectively turn an office into a green environment.
Recycling Bins
A simple way of turning the work environment green is to strategically place recycling bins in various areas around the office. The lunch and printer rooms are perfect locations as they attract large quantities of waste which can be recycled. Paper accounts for a large percentage of waste within the workplace. The American Forest and Paper Association reported in 2007, that by recycling 1 ton of paper, 17 trees are saved. To stimulate interest in recycling, the bins should be attractive and bright in colour.
Printer Cartridges
Printer cartridge recycling has become a very lucrative business, with many corporates adopting this environmentally friendly strategy. An estimated 375 million cartridges are disposed of in the U.S each year. An effective strategy to implement in the workplace, printer cartridge recycling will also reduce cost and enhance a green work environment. Recycling Printer cartridges can also establish an alternative income stream for businesses, as providers will pay for the used cartridges.
Water
Recycling water can be quite difficult to implement as the initial infrastructure outlay is quite expensive. This strategy is only adopted to non drinking water and is limited in its application. Simply ways of recycling water include, the washing of dishes with water that was collected from dripping kitchen taps, water dispensers or unused water left in the kettle. From a hygiene perspective, the recycling of water is subject to strict conditions.
Batteries
The final office technique which has grown in interest and coverage is the recycling of used computer and electronic equipment batteries. In 2009, the EU introduced a new initiative aimed at the battery producer. The new policy stipulated that producers of batteries were required to collect and dispose of used batteries in a safe and compliant manner. Adopting a similar stance on battery recycling, the UK government introduced new recharge hubs called “BePositive”. Households and Offices were then able to either recharge or submit their batteries for recycling at these points.
Recycling in the office space is a new concept that can be implemented relatively efficiently. With global environmental sustainability becoming a very real issue, office recycling will play an important role in reducing carbon and green house gas emissions. Companies over the next decade will begin to understand the importance of global environmental citizenship, and will in effect amend their office practices to comply with both regional, political and economic environmental standards.
Impact of Deflation on Japan
The Japanese economy has experienced extraordinary economic conditions since the asset bubble of the late 1980s. Deflation and a mix of low unemployment and sliding GDP per capita have led to a very unique economic situation within the small nation. Rivalling the US in economic dominance over the last three decades, the Japanese economy is export and retail based. With a reported $5 trillion in nominal GDP, Japan focuses on the electronics and automobile manufacturing sectors as its key expert drivers. These areas have not always been the key growth industries, with property playing an important role in overall GDP during the mid to late 1980s. Although a key aspect of the economy, property growth and overheated valuations caused the “Asset Bubble” after the stock market crash of 87. Investment sentiment and lack of consumer spending during this period, led to a contraction in GDP, economic growth and deflationary pressures.
Japan as an economic case study, is quite interesting as it uncovers the balance between growth, unemployment, monetary and fiscal policy. In much of the developed OECD world, countries who experience contraction in growth will also experience high unemployment and lower levels of taxable revenue. This tradition style of economics has however not applied to Japan since the late 80s with economists focusing on consumer savings and spending as the key differing factor. Spending in most cases is driven by consumer sentiment, and risk appetite with central banks highlighting that it can be a consequence of tight or lose monetary policy. Japan in an attempt to boost overall economic growth after the asset bubble, started to weaken its monetary risk levels and drop interest rates to low levels. Unlike other economies this had little impact on overall consumer spending, with savings rates hitting all time highs. Economists believe the conservative nature of the Japanese investor led to further GDP weakness, extended recessionary period and deflation. What economists found unique about the Japanese economic situation during the 80s and 90s was the fact that unemployment levels stabilised during the period. This had a consequence on not only the domestic economy but also on inflation levels, with a heightened awareness of the impact of deflation.
The key question however during this period was the impact that deflation would have on the long term Japanese economy. Investment in local industry was impacted, however the awareness and emphasis shifted towards international trade and its overseas export market. Car manufacturers and electronic producers were able to tap into new markets and transform the Japanese economy into a global powerhouse. Deflation became a secondary point behind the global sustainability of the Japanese economy. Key risks have moved away from Global Domestic Product Weakness to Currency Appreciation. An export nation is sensitive to foreign exchange movements and consumer capacity. Over the next few years Japan will be an interesting model to watch, as the global economy moves into a new phase with increased awareness on leverage and lending. A shift in policy may see a transformation similar to that of the last three decades.
