Over the years, Keeney’s has made changes to our delivery model, updated our warehouse and participated in various programs to reduce our carbon footprint. In effort to help customers reduce their waste and become more sustainable, Keeney’s offers several recycling programs at no or low-cost. Information on signing up for these programs and any costs associated with them are outlined below.

Pens, Pencils and Markers

To participate: Request a collection box from customer service. Once full, send it back with your delivery driver to be recycled.

Cost: Free to customer

Cardboard

To participate: Contact customer service and our team will pick up your cardboard to be recycled.

Cost: Free to customer

Batteries

To participate: Request a collection bucket from customer service. Once full, send it back with your delivery driver to be recycled.

Cost: $25/bucket

Toner

To participate: Contact customer service and our team will pick up your toners to be recycled.

Cost: Free to customer

K-Cups

To participate: Request a collection bin from customer service. Once full, mail box with attached, prepaid shipping label.

Cost: $30/box

Keeney’s is passionate about creating a green workplace and wants to help customers to create eco-friendly offices as well. If your company is making changes to become more sustainable, contact our team for resources and information on programs in the local area.

In addition to the economic impact of buying local, there is also an environmental factor to consider. Since products travel less when sourced locally, fewer gas emissions are produced and less packaging waste is created. Shopping at local stores also allows those businesses to give back and make an environmental impact on their community. Keeney’s works hard to make the most of the environmental advantages of servicing our local area and to reduce our carbon footprint.

More Efficient Delivery

Buying local cuts down on the auto emissions of both the consumer and supplier. If customers buy locally, they drive a shorter distance to get what they need. If their product is being delivered buy a local company, the delivery trucks are also driving less. The Keeney’s team alters their delivery routes each day to shorten the time trucks are on the road, reducing air pollution. When appropriate, we also utilize the services of a local delivery company to reach outlying areas where their trucks are already going so we don’t waste resources driving from centralized delivery areas to marginal areas.

Less Packaging Waste

Moving products a short distance equates to less protective packaging being utilized which means less waste is created in the delivery process. The Keeney’s team reuses cardboard boxes or packages orders in reusable totes to deliver to local customers.

Participation in Local Environmental Programs

Local businesses are more likely than big box stores to invest in their communities and participate in programs that make the environment cleaner. Keeney’s is involved in Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power program which reduces the amount of carbon dioxide emissions released into the air. We are also part of the Forterra’s C3 Program which plants trees to offset our operational carbon footprint.

Shopping local is a simple and impactful way to reduce your carbon footprint. To learn more about the programs Keeney’s participates in that may help your business, visit our website: https://www.keeneys.com/sustainability/

There are several ways that you can make your break room more environmentally friendly without much effort or cost. Simple things like switching from Styrofoam to compostable plates, using green cleaning supplies and providing well-marked bins for sorting can make a big difference.

Use Green Cleaners

Many of the common household cleaning products contain harsh chemicals. Switching to cleaning product that are made from natural cleaning products is an excellent step for not only going Green but for your employees health too.

Find Green Cleaners Here

Provide Reusable or Compostable Tableware

The initial cost of replacing paper products might seem expensive, but not needing to keep them stocked will pay for itself in no time. If getting rid of paper cups is not feasible because you have too many employees or no place to wash and store them, purchasing composable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery is an environmentally friendly alternative.

Find Compostable Tableware Here

Make Recycling Easy

When there are no recycling containers available employees may throw cans and plastic bottles into the regular garbage can. The best way to encourage recycling and composting is to provide bins for employees to sort their waste. Putting up signage near the bins informing staff of what goes in each bin will also be helpful.

Find Waste Sorters Here

Once the steps above are completed, educate your team on the changes to make sure your efforts are successful. Contact the Keeney’s team today for helping make the switch to a greener breakroom and office.

Prolonged sitting can have serious health implications, but so can standing for too long, especially with the wrong form. With height adjustable desks becoming more and more popular in the workplace, it is now easier to alternate between sitting and standing so you can stay healthy and comfortable all day long. Below are a few tips to get the most benefits out of your workstation.

-Keep your head directly over your shoulders and your shin level with the floor.

-Adjust your monitors so that your gaze falls in the middle of the screen.

-Stand about an arms length distance from the screen. The larger the screen, the more distance you’ll want.

-Maintain a keyboard height that is even with your elbows and maintain a 90-120 degree angle with your arms.

-Avoid flexing your wrists. Keep them in a relaxed, natural position with your fingers gently curved.

-Use an anti-fatigue mat to reduce leg discomfort and back pain associated with standing.

-Take short breaks to stretch and give your eyes a break.

Making sure you are using your height adjustable desk properly is important in receiving all the benefits and staying comfortable. If you need help getting setup or selecting accessories, the Keeney’s furniture team would love to assist!

Creating an organized and well-equip office can help you to find items quickly and make it easier to complete tasks more efficiently. Even though it can be hard to set aside the time to get set up, the effort will save you time in the long run. Below are a few things to consider when creating a productive work space.

Invest in Comfort

Often, the comfort of your office is overlooked and price point is the only consideration. It is hard to be productive if your legs are fatigued from sitting in the wrong chair or if your eyes are strained from looking at a tiny monitor. You are spending a large portion of your day at your desk so make sure you are comfortable and your space is setup to meet your needs.

Organize with Labels

Taking the time to create a proper labeling system for your office will make things easy to find for you (and for that intern working on a project for you while you’re on vacation!) Labeling will help you to put things in the right place, keep clutter off your desk and reduce the risk of losing important documents. This practice can also be applied to your digital files.

Tools and Technology

Equipping yourself with the right tools and technology can go a long way. Having an outdated computer or software that doesn’t run properly can be frustrating and lead to putting off projects. Research products that will save you time and evaluate if they are worth the cost. Time equals money!

Whether you’re in a corner office, a cubicle or working out of your home, creating an organized, comfortable and well-equip work space will help you to be more productive and set you up for success!

There are many benefits of working with businesses that are different from your own. Women and minority business owners bring unique knowledge and experience to the table that may otherwise be absent from your workplace. These businesses are also able to provide a different experience from their competitors, help your image in the community and assist you in solving problems. Some benefits of working with a women-owned business are outlined below:

Flexibility

While larger corporations are typically held to certain procedures or must follow a specific protocol, organizations working with smaller women-owned businesses see more flexibility in getting their needs met. Often, they are small enough where flexibility isn’t an issue, and changes can be approved more quickly to please a customer than it would in a large corporation.

Creativity

By working with a diverse company, they may be able to make business solution suggestions that you wouldn’t have thought of. They are also willing to spend time working with your company to come up with cost saving ideas and more efficient processes.

Diversity

Conducting business with companies that appreciate and celebrate their partnerships with diverse companies is appealing to customers. Partnering with a women-owned business not only fulfills your business’s partnership requirement should you need it, but it also increases your exposure to a wide range of communities and customers and enhances your brand recognition in a positive way. Diversity is valued today, and individuals both inside of and outside your company, take notice of diversity in the workplace. By working with diverse businesses, you make it known that you support and value skillful females and minorities in your trade, which can create lifelong benefits for your company.

Contact Keeney’s today to see first-hand the benefits of working with a women-owned business!

The first day for any employee can be nerve-racking. When a new worker arrives to find a fully-stocked cubicle, it is welcoming and gets them started on the right foot. Below are some first day essentials to show your new hire that your company is thoughtful, organized and wants to set you up for success.

Standard Equipment

Having your new employee’s computer and phone set up from day one allows them to get accustomed during training down time and gives them the opportunity to ask questions while they’re settling in. It also shows them what items are provided so they can order additional products like dual monitors or a wireless headset if it helps their workstyle.

Supply Basics

Everyone has their own office supply preferences but the basics will help them to get started. A pen and notepad will help them to write down new hire information they learn during training. The standards like a stapler, tape dispenser and scissors are great to have on-hand. A waste basket and recycling bin are also essentials that are often forgotten.

Login Credentials

Creating a cheat sheet with important login information for email, networks and software will help the new employee get started and will serve as a reference in the upcoming weeks.

Office Information

Supplying your new staff member with an employee handbook will help them to learn about the company culture and supply them with important policy and procedure information. If your office is multi-floor or spread out over a campus, a map will be a great reference as they get settled in. Lastly, an employee directory with job titles and contact information will be a helpful resource if they need to reach out with other team members.

In addition to the right supplies, make sure multiple employees stop by to issue a warm welcome and you’re likely to set the perfect tone. You’ve spent a lot of time and effort to get them there and you want to keep them around!

Since a large portion of our day is spent at the office, creating good work habits is important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. By making a few small changes to your workday, you’ll become a healthier, happier person inside and outside of the office. Try the list of items below to start changing your habits today!

Add small activity breaks to your day

Sometimes it’s tough to step away from your computer on a busy day but your body needs breaks to recharge. Implement a few easy things like standing every 30 minutes, getting out of the office for lunch or taking a walk with coworkers in the afternoon. Taking small breaks are good for your body and will help to boost your productivity levels.

Consciously drink more water

Staying hydrated throughout the day helps to curb hunger cravings, keeps your energy levels up and improves your general mood. To ensure that you stick with your water plan, fill up a water bottle or straw cup each morning when you arrive and set goals for when to refill during the workday.

Keep healthy snacks on-hand

Instead of having a drawer of old Halloween candy and a bag of chips in your drawer, stock your desk with healthy snacks for those afternoon cravings. You are likely to snack regardless so having easy access to healthy alternatives will help you to make better decisions. Dried fruit or nuts make great snacks and will keep for a long time in your desk drawer.

Create a happy workspace

To help improve your mood during the workday, decorate your area with your favorite colors, frame pictures of loved ones, post positive affirmations,  or and get a plant (live or faux). Seeing things that you enjoy will improve your mood and take some stress out of your day.

Unplug from work when you get home

Taking work home is becoming more and more common, but it’s important to set boundaries to prevent burnout from occurring. Constantly checking email or mindlessly scrolling through the next day’s tasks before bed not only takes you away from being present with your family and friends, but it also mentally exhausts you before the next day even arrives.

Paper shredders aren’t something most people purchase more than once or twice in a lifetime. With such a wide range of prices and features, it can be overwhelming to decide which model is best for you. The guide below will walk you through the steps for choosing the right paper shredder for your home or office.

Cut

The cut of a shredder refers to what happens when you put paper into the feeder of the machine. The type of cut you need will depend on what you are shredding and the security level your company requires. Click here for a cut guide.

Location

Selecting a spot for your shredder will help to determine the size you need. Does it need to fit under a desk or is it going in a large area next to your commercial printer? If space is not an issue, a larger bin will hold more paper and require less time emptying the machine. Machines also have various noise levels so if you are putting the shredder in an open office, consider choosing one with a lower decibel rating.

Sheet Capacity and Running Time

Smaller, home-office models typically only handle a few sheets of paper at a time and require longer periods of time in-between uses to cool down. A commercial shredder will shred more sheets at a time and can be used continuously for longer periods of time.

Materials to be Shredded

Some shredders are designed to handle more than just paper. Higher end models can destroy credit cards and CDs with sensitive as well.

Special Features

Some models have safety sensors that automatically stop the machine with a hand or object gets too close to the blades. Another bonus feature to consider is the technology that helps avoid frustrating paper jams.

If you’re still unsure of which shredder is right for your office, use the Fellowes shredder selector tool or contact the Keeney’s customer service team for more assistance.

In addition to being more sustainable and helping to support small businesses, shopping local helps to provide a positive economic impact on your community. Local stores recycle a much larger share of their sales revenue back into the local economy while chains funnel most of the dollars spent at their stores back to corporate headquarters or to distant suppliers. According to a study done by Civic Economics, if you were to spend $100 at an independent business, $68 dollars would go back into the community versus only $48 at a big box retailer.

Due to the following factors, local retailers are putting 20% more back into the local economy, strengthening the community.

• Local businesses spend a larger share of their revenue on local labor
• Local retailers spend more than twice as much buying goods and services from other local businesses. They typically bank locally, hire local professionals, advertise in local media, and source inventory from local firms.
• Since the owners live in the area, a larger portion of the business’s profits stay within the local economy
• On average, independent businesses donate more to local charities and community organizations than chains

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, consider purchasing bouquets from a local florist, selecting a unique gift from a store in town or enjoying dinner at an independently owned restaurant with local flavors!