Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

August and September find many parents getting ready for back-to-school days with school supply shopping lists in hand.  At the same time, fall is a great time to stock up on office supplies for your small business.  After all, if you have to shop for binders and pencils for the kids, you might as well stock up for your home office at the same time.  You'll save on gas and time by running the two errands together, and you'll be able to take advantage of any tax deductions involved by purchasing before the end of the year.  (Just make sure you use your business checking or credit card account for your office supplies so your receipts are separate -- this makes it very obvious you're not trying to sneak a write-off for the kindergartener's Crayolas!)

Combining errands isn't the only way your business shopping can help the environment.  Body + Soul ran an interesting piece in their September 2006 issue that encourages workers to go green with steps as small as changing pencil brands and using refillable markers. 

Interested?  Here are links to the products they recommended:

• Office Depot Inkjet Refill Kit and Tops Second Nature 100% Recycled Writing Pad (Available at Office Depot)
• Auspen Refillable Whiteboard Markers
• Recyclips Recycled Paper Clips
• Greendisk CD-RW
• Motherboard Grip Clipboard
• Made by Humans Staple Free Stapler (This is so on my wishlist!)
• Treesmart Newspaper Pencils (No. 2 and mini colored pencils)
• Design Within Reach BeeBoard Desk (What a way to revamp the office!)
• Dell OptiPlex GX620 Ultra Small Form Factor (Dell's not the only one offering a take-back program; Sony, Toshiba and other companies do too!  Check about your favorite computer manufacturer's take-back offers when it's time to replace your machine.)

What methods do you use to keep your company's impact on the environment lighter?  Do you have any favorite products that reign supreme in the "green" department?  Leave me a link and the name of your favorite supplies.  Green manufacturers, don't be shy...tell us how you can help us small biz folk get greener too!