Sustainability

Please feel free to download and use it.  Let us know how you go and any changes you make, so we can improve and share it.

KOM Sustainability Meter

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This provides us a backup of all client documents and enables easy movement from Box to Xero Files. Allowing our clients to be 100% paperless.

Low energy consumption

The MP C305SP/MP C305SPF incorporate Ricoh’s new Quick Start Up (QSU) fusing system. This slashed the Typical Electricity Consumption (TEC) values of these devices. Furthermore, QSU reduces both the recovery time from sleep mode and the initial warm-up time.

Other sustainable reasons to buy:

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New to Xero, or still getting the hang of it? Join Katalyst Office Management’s Cloud Office team for a FREE training session, with complimentary drinks and nibbles, at Xero’s Auckland offices this July.

We’ll teach you more about working with Xero files and show you how to reduce the time, effort and paper associated with bookkeeping.

Katalyst’s Cloud Office team specialises in helping businesses become more sustainable by eliminating paper from their accounting processes. We are Xero Gold Partners, members of the Sustainable Business Network and already assist clients in a wide range of industries.

When: Tuesday, 15th July, from 5-6.30pm
Where: Xero Offices – Level 1, 69 St Georges Bay Road, Parnell, Auckland
Limited spaces

RSVP: To Glennis Stuckey – glennis@katalyst.co.nz by Friday, 20th June

Learn more about Cloud Office at www.cloudoffice.co.nz

Attend Event

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First - Reduce the paper documents coming to us

• We reduce paper by educating and moving clients to paperless offices
• Encourage suppliers to send our clients paperwork via email.  If possible, email direct to Box, or direct to Xero to reduce file handling time
• Having dual screens reduces the need to print as you can view the document alongside the bill you are entering.  This is leveraged, as we become more efficient as a result
• When we do need to print, we have set the default print to double-sided, so both sides of the paper are used

Second - Reuse the paper documents when we have uploaded them

• We have invested in a high speed scanner (purchased from a client) which can scan direct to Xero, reducing file handling, archiving products and further hard copy paperwork from clients suppliers and our own of course
• We have taken reuse to next level - see our blog about shredding.  Our shredded paper currently goes to Hillpark Preschool for total destruction and reuse by 2 - 5 year old kids

Third - Recycle the remains

• Mostly our remaining recyclables are courier bags and cardboard boxes - we hold these for re-use if possible, but some courier companies offer a courier bag recycling service
• We actually print very little at the office, most documents come in via email, but when we do print, we try to get paper from renewable sources, but we balance this with good quality paper that doesn't shed a lot of dust, that may damage our printer
• In South Auckland, we have kerbside, fortnightly recycle pickups - click here for all of Auckland

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• Reuse as packaging for fragile items - for couriering or packing
• Confetti for a table at parties, or for weddings
• Add equal parts of flour and water to make Papier Mâché
• Make new paper with it
• Use for pet bedding for your own pets or your local pet shop (watch for toxic inks)
• Better yet, see if the SPCA want it - and donate some pet food while you're there
• Create a pet pillow by stuffing and sewing shut an old pillow case
• Put some shredded paper in the bottom of your new rubbish bag to prevent random minor spills
• Start a fire with it, or make paper logs with it, or paper bricks
• Spread it out and make snow angels in it (less messy than spilt beans from bean bag on the lawn)
• Use it for your chooks to nest in, it decomposes so you can later put it on the garden
• Make some compost
• Give it to kids, along with used cardboard, felts, glue, feathers etc and see what they come up with
• Mulch - to suppress weeds and conserve water - apparently it helps soil to retain water
• Use it to help drainage and reduce dirt needed for a pot when potting plants
• Create seed starters, these are super cute
• Have fun at holloween and create a scarecrow, stuff it with shredded paper and stick a photo of someones face on it to scare their kids, wife or husband - stand it up in cupboard
• Use it for a sensory activity for kids - basically just chuck piles on the floor and let them go for it
• Make a birds nest
• Extend your kitty litter
• Scent it with essential oils and make a sachet
• Use cookie cutters, load it up with your Papier Mâché leftovers from above to make little Christmas Tree shapes - or gifts for your mother in law

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One of our major goals for this year is to recycle less paper!! Yes I said recycle less!

We want to REDUCE what we use first, but then we want to shred and compost what we do use, this way having a smaller carbon footprint than if a truck comes to collect our paper!

SO WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO GET FUNDING FOR?

We want to buy a heavy duty shredder to deal with our paper and cardboard waste...we will then compost this to provide more compost for all our edible gardens!!

The whole idea was thought up by our "Eco Warrior Apprentices" who will also be in charge of the SHRED IT programme!

Please help us out!

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We also chose this one because of the 26L capacity - no more emptying the bin every other time we shred documents.  This shredder takes staples, paperclips and credit cards...  Not so good for recycling, so we will try to separate those out.

To be as secure as we can, we chose this cross cut shredder, because it has high security, confetti cut - it cuts paper down to 4mm x 50mm particles..

The Auto+ 100X is a medium security (P-3) shredder that shreds paper into unreadable Cross-cut sized particles (sized 4 x 50mm) making it ideal for sensitive and confidential data.

• The Auto+ 100 is a ultra quiet shredder - less than 60DBA
• Auto shut off after 2 minutes of non-use saves energy
• The self cleaning cutting head prevents paper jams - I think I just fell in love ;-)

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 Old school Kiwi principle:  Leave it in a better condition than how you found it

We have followed a few basic principles for being a long-term, sustainable business:

Balance in all things

• Efficiency & everyday practicality
• Cost effectiveness & affordability
• Community & family
• Environment & workspace

How do we multiply the positive

How do we reduce the negative

In 2013, we were proud to be nominated for Green Bookkeeper of the Year at the Inaugural NZ Bookkeepers Association Conference, however, our sustainability journey is only just beginning.

If you have walked this path before us, please do feel free to offer up suggestions.  Or, please tell us what you would like to see in a green bookkeeper.  If you would like to discuss what we are doing with the view of doing it yourself, please feel free to ask – we love to share.

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