Mobile phones have become a common tool in business, however along with this are a set of environmental and health concerns.

For those concerned about the health effects of mobile phone we recommend you:

• Minimise the length of calls
• Use a hands free kit to keep the phone away from your body
• Ask your supplier ‘Specific Absorption Rates’ provided with all new phones

Cell phone batteries contain nickel and cadmium and should not be disposed of in the normal waste system. Some mobile phone manufacturers are now collecting old batteries and phones for safe disposal. In May 2001 Nokia launched it New Zealand recycling scheme to encourage customers to recycle phone, batteries and accessories.

Both Telecom NZ and Vodafone also offer a battery disposal service and are currently offering credits against new phones and prize draws as incentives. Simply return it to Telecom or Vodafone or one of their authorised dealers and it will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

To avoid the wastage associated with production, development and printing of conventional photographic film we suggest you opt for a digital camera.

Walkmans, dictaphones, calculators etc mainly require batteries to operate. We recommend that you:

At the end of each year diaries are updated. This creates waste :

• Purchase a quality refillable diary but only get the sections you need and will use.
• Some computer programmes have a diary or scheduler, which means you can print out your schedule on a monthly or weekly basis – as is needed.

Combining a material (e.g. plastic, cellulose, and fibre) makes sticky tape with a sticky substrate. Some companies who make sticky tape are looking at the life cycle impacts of their products, (e.g. recovering solvent for reuse). We recommend you:

• Opt for Cellulose (Cellulose is a plant fibre) and is biodegradable.
• Buy locally made products from manufacturers who are recovering solvents.

There is a range of staplers from which to choose (e.g. electric or manual).

• Use a manual stapler that meets your size requirements.
• Buy locally made or assembled stapler

A number of stamps are used in offices (e.g. draft, received, file stamps.)

• Look for ‘safe’ or vegetable based inks.
• Look for refillable ink cartridge.

• Choose recycled card (no glues or solvents only sizing agents)
• Look for an eco-label