There are many things you can do in your work place to benefit the environment. 

Some important actions include:

   For offices, ensure that you are purchasing paper with recycled content for your printer, copier or fax machine.  Turn off the lights when leaving.

  For construction, excavate as little land as possible before beginning to build. Put up silt fences to stop dirt from getting washed off the property. Put hay or straw down on loose dirt to help hold it in place. Plant grass, trees, and shrubs as soon as possible after construction is completed.

   For restaurants, ensure your grease trap or interceptor is sized properly for the capacity of work completed at your company. Complete routine visual inspections of the grease trap or interceptor and physically remove FOG (Fats, Oils, Grease) buildup as recommended by the grease trap or interceptor manufacturer.

   For garages, keep any hazardous waste that is stored outside in leak-free containers, off the ground, and covered and protected from precipitation and wash water that could carry contaminants from the materials to the storm sewer or surface water bodies.  Ensure that your oil/water separator is working properly by testing the effluent for hydrocarbon contamination. Have the separator vacuumed out regularly to prevent oil from entering the sewer system.

Check our list of web resources for more information!