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carbon emissions and global
warming |
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UKOfficeShop is serious about the environment, global warming, carbon offsetting
and recycling. In fact, this web page on "your environment" has existed
since 1999. Unfortunately, the UK government and many UK companies now see
global warming as an opportunity to benefit themselves. Our planet has a
long history of climate change. The British Isles suffered a mini ice age
in the seventeenth century when the Thames froze over. Conversely, we
enjoyed two warm periods, one in Medieval days and the other in the
Holocene Maximum. These warm periods were centuries before humans began
producing carbon dioxide. Temperatures also rose before 1940 and
fell after a few years, despite post war high carbon industrial emissions.
What is the cause? Most of the planet's carbon dioxide is produced by
animals (cattle 18%), agriculture, bacteria, vegetation and the ocean.
Carbon emissions due to human activity are actually small. However the UK
treasury taxes carbon emissions from cars and aircraft because it cannot
tax cattle, bacteria or solar activity and it has become politically and
socially fashionable. Tax relief for vegetarians might discourage us from
eating gas producing cattle? We need to know the whole life carbon cost of
products and services. For example, what is the carbon footprint
associated with the production, charging, replacement and disposal of
batteries for electric cars? What will be the effects of bio-fuels on
agriculture? Why is air travel taxed but cruise ship travel is not? What
is the carbon cost of manufacturing, transporting and retailing the latest
fashions, leather goods and cosmetics? We need honest answers,
constructive government action,
international agreement and public support. visit
www.carbontrust.co.uk |
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wi-fi
wire free connection |
| Many
products are now using Wi-Fi technology. These products rely upon weak
radio signals to transfer data/information a short distance to avoid using a wired
connection. The strength of these radio signals is very low and no health risks
have yet been identified. visit
www.wi-fi.org/knowledge_center/qanda-072005-wlanandhealth |
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power save
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| Most new office equipment
employs power reduction circuitry which saves energy when the machine is
in standby and not in use. This not only reduces your company's energy
costs but reduces your company's carbon footprint. |
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ozone free
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| Ozone is produced as a by-product of
electrostatic printing as used by laser printers and copiers etc. It can
be identified by its distinctive sweet metallic smell. Prolonged
exposure can cause headaches. Many office machines now use new
technology to reduce the production of ozone and ozone filters on some
machines are a simple
but effective solution.
visit
www.healthyoffice.co.uk
and
www.tcodevelopment.com
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paper recycle
|
| Recycle
your used paper to save trees and help benefit the environment. You will
need to separate rubbish from white paper (letters and printouts) and
newspapers & magazines. Contact Paper Round for details of weekly paper
collection on 020 7247 0470. Alternatively try Waste Watch.
visit
www.wastewatch.org.uk
or
www.paper-round.co.uk |
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ink and toner cartridge recycle
|
| Ink and toner cartridges can be
recycled. When purchasing recycled cartridges it is best to confirm that
they have been taken apart, cleaned, repaired and recharged to end up as
good as new. They are cheaper than new and kinder on the environment. Did you know that four million
printer toner and ink cartridges are dumped in landfill sites each year.
These wasted cartridges could have been refilled, regenerated and reused
and the waste prevented. Please save old
cartridges or forward them to an appropriate recycling centre.
If requested, our driver will collect
your old toner cartridges on delivery of a new replacement.
Alternatively you can donate your used cartridges to Scope, the charity
for the disabled. This initiative has raised over £300,000 since it was
started in 1997. Call Scope on 0800 781 2600 for more information.
visit
www.scope.org.uk
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repetitive strain injury (rsi) |
| This complaint is common in
those people doing repetitive tasks which stress the body - normally the
upper body. The condition is
progressive so may initially only be recognized as tiredness or minor
pain in the area concerned. Be aware of, and employ ergonomic practices
to avoid rsi.
visit
www.healthyoffice.co.uk
and
www.tcodevelopment.com |
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stress |
Work-related stress is the
result of a conflict between the role and needs of the individual employee
and organisational, personal or ergonomic factors in their work place.
There can also be an unacceptable tension between the demands of work and
the individuals' life outside work. Stress is also often typified by a
lack of control over conditions at work. Six and a half million working
days are lost in Britain every year
through stress.
Visit
www.workstress.net |
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pc monitor - eye strain |
- Although there is no reliable
evidence to suggest that even long-term intensive use of pc monitors is
damaging to the eyes, it is true that users tend to complain of eye
strain more than non-users. This is likely to be due to fatigue through
causes such as:
- Insufficient and infrequent rest periods
- Incorrect positioning of the screen and/or documents
- Unsuitable lighting
- Poorly designed work area
- An uncorrected eyesight fault such as long sight, short sight or
astigmatism.
- The eyes not working ‘as a team’
Any of these conditions could lead to fatigue; all can be overcome through
good design of the working environment and by regular eye care.
Visit
www.eyecare-information-service.org.uk
and
www.tcodevelopment.com
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health and safety |
| Visit
www.hse.gov.uk |
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mobile phones - radiation |
- The effects of mobile phone microwave
radiation on human tissue remains a matter for investigation and debate.
However it would be wise to employ precautions when using a mobile phone
particularly if used frequently. It is better to:
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- Use a hands free device when
possible.
- Hold the phone at its base.
- Find a location of high signal
strength.
- Keep calls short.
- Be aware that children are more
susceptible to radiation.
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- Visit
www.tcodevelopment.com
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