1. Go for Green Options

Customers today can choose from a wide range of high-quality products that deliver environmental benefits. These products are equal in performance to traditional products, but result in lower waste, lower chemical use and lower energy use. Go to www.officedepot.com and type "recycled" into the search bar to find over 3,500 recycled products.

2. Buy from companies whose supply chain gives you confidence

Office Depot has the industry's most comprehensive environmental paper purchasing policy. That policy helps ensure the paper you buy from us is from well-managed forests. For more information, read about our policy here. Learn how the Forest & Biodiversity Conservation Alliance helps us implement our policy here.

3. Send back your empty ink and toner cartridges

You can order FREE, Prepaid Ink Jet and Toner cartridge recycling boxes by visiting www.officedepot.com and typing 816-656 for ink cartridges and 824-712 for toner cartridges. Place them around your office. Once they are filled with empty cartridges, simply return them in the prepaid box. It's a hassle-free way to reduce waste and save energy.

4. Buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges

Office Depot brand remanufactured ink and toner cartridges cost an average of 15% less than national brands and come with a 100% money back quality guarantee. Remanufacturing one toner cartridge rather than using new plastic and metal conserves about a half gallon of oil. Visit www.officedepot.com and type "remanufactured cartridges."

5. Buy high Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR) Paper

In the past, recycled paper may have been of poorer quality than non-recycled. Not any more. All our recycled papers work just as well in printers and copiers than non-recycled papers. We know this is true since our default paper for internal operations is 35% recycled! If you're not convinced, we encourage you to do a test - try out some PCR paper and see if you can tell the difference. Click here to buy our top-selling EnviroCopy paper containing 35% Post-Consumer Recycled content.

6. Recycle your office paper

Only 50% of the paper used in North America is recovered. And there is a growing shortage of paper available for recycled products as Asian countries such as China demand more and more recovered fiber. If you don't have a paper recycling program at your office - try to start one. Check your local yellow pages to find local recycling companies.

7. Look for Energy Star electronic products

Energy Star computers, printers and other business machines power down when not in use. They can help you conserve more than 40% and up to 75% of your electricity compared to standard models. How much are you spending on electricity?

8. Use compact fluorescent bulbs

Switching from incandescent bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescents delivers outstanding efficiency - up to 75% energy savings for Energy Star qualified lights. You will also lower cost and waste since compact fluorescents can last over 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. And don't worry about the unusual shapes many of these lights come in; they fit standard fixtures and deliver excellent natural light. Click here to see Office Depot's compact fluorescent assortment.

9. Invest in modular furniture

Buying modular furniture helps you mix, match and grow without the need to reinvest in an entirely new look.

10. Remember, it all starts with you - please spread the word

If more people go for Green Options, everyone wins. Help increase awareness by speaking with your colleague, your team, your boss, your suppliers, your customers and your personal network. It all adds up so please spread the word and do as much as you are comfortable doing to help sustain the environment we all depend on.