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Staples seem small, insignificant. They disappear into trash cans, attached to discarded reports and printouts at astounding rates. They fall into the carpet, and disappear between the fibers. "Oh well," we say. It's just a staple. But a colossal number of them are ending up in landfills every year-where they sit, stubbornly refusing to biodegrade.
So let's work together to end the onslaught of staple waste. Here are 4 things we can do to help stop their tiny, steely reign:
- Use a paperclip: The easiest way to go staple-less is simply using a paperclip instead. Paperclips are eminently reusable, and far fewer paperclips end up in the trash than staples.
- Pick up a staple-less stapler: Okay, I know it sounds absurd. Shouldn't a staple-less stapler simply be called something else? Well, regardless of its nomenclature, this innovative device opts out of staples by connecting documents via a small, precise incision and quick folding. There are a number of models on the market now, a quick Google search yields numerous results.
- Go old school and dog ear them papers: Sure it seems kind of juvenile. But it works in a pinch, and creates zero waste. Also, if you practice a bit, you can actually get your dog-earring to look pretty slick. Take it from a pro (who was simply too lazy to buy staples in college).
- Recycle them: The idea of bothering to recycling staples might seem pointless, like eating a dinner composed of a handful of corn kernels. But if you designate a little bin for collecting staples, and gather up enough, it'll be worthwhile to take a slew of them on over to your local metal recycling plant.
Read more about keeping your office green:
The Un-Recyclables: Things You Should Keep Out of the Recycling Bin
Sell Your Scrap Metal for More Than You Think
Want to know what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint? Find out on Planet Green TV's Wa$ted.
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