Last week, guest author, Julie Bestry, shared a few of her favorite eco-friendly office products.  On her first list – Recycled Post-It Notes and Bankers Boxes. Here are her final two picks.

ReBinders…and Their Buddies

Locating recycled file folders and hanging folders is relatively easy, but finding an affordable green solution for binder-style paper storage has long been a pipe dream. Three-ring binders are usually made of PVC plastic, and given that up to 500 metric tons of toxic PVC end up in landfills each year, it’s enough for a green-minded guy or gal to give up on binder storage altogether.

An innovative Seattle company is hard at work on creating alternative solutions. ReBinder is an online store offering products made from SFI- and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified post-consumer recycled materials, assembled by an AbilityOne-certified disabled workforce. Their manufacturing processes reduce energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gasses, solid waste, and deforestation.

The original ReBinder three-ring binders come in three versions: the no-frills Original, made from heavy-duty corrugated cardboard, the Select, made from 100 pt. chipboard, and the Professional, which takes the chipboard base of the Select and adds an elegant black cloth spine.

(To get a sense of the vast chasm between vinyl and recycled paperboard, check out ReBinder’s detailed explanation of their materials, process and end result.)

To improve your eco-friendly efforts, you can purchase replacement ReBinder covers for a fraction of the cost of the original, from $1.76 for .5″ to $2.38 for 2″ replacement covers. Sturdy, high quality Re-Tab recycled tab dividers and Re-Pouch three-hole punched slash/pocket tab dividers (which hold papers, CDs and business cards, each in their own little slots) amplify both usability and your green credibility. In addition to ReBinder’s lines of recycled binders, dividers, and pockets, they make similarly planet-friendly CD sleeves and cases, folders, conference badges, adhesive labels and notebooks, available in a sample pack of their most popular products for $25 (with free ground shipping).

PlanetSafe Dry-Erase Wall Planners and Calendars

Each year, when you discard your wall calendar and put up a new one, do you heave a sigh, imagining millions of other glossy calendars with plastic-coated spiral bindings getting tossed into the landfill? Have you wished there were a better alternative? Thanks to PlanetSafe, makers of the world’s only non-plastic erasable wall planner, there is.

These planners all have the write/wipe attributes of typical plastic wall planners, but use no petroleum-based products. PlanetSafe’s line is made from 100% recycled paper, organic vegetable inks and a 100% biodegradable plant-based film laminate. Not only made from recycled product, it’s the first erasable line that is 100% recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.
PlanetSafe products are made from durable, heavyweight write/wipe material with a glossy finish. The line includes dated one- and two-year calendar planners, as well as multiple styles and sizes of 5-, 30-, 60-, 90- and 120-day undated planners with room for notes and project planning.

The planners are designed to work with either dry-erase or wet-erase markers, as well as sticky notes – like those in the Sustain line of recycled Post-Its®!

While the boards have ample space for writing one’s thoughts, “To Do” items and action plans and then wet- or dry-erasing them afterward, tracking concepts and tasks via sticky notes allows you to quickly re-prioritize by moving, rearranging, and even color-coding…it’s sort of a retro version of cut-and-paste in Word, without a single keystroke.

From tiny notes to massive calendars, from boxed archives to binder-bound papers, there truly are affordable ways to help keep our little blue marble a little bit green.

While the boards have ample space for writing one’s thoughts, “To Do” items and action plans and then wet- or dry-erasing them afterward, tracking concepts and tasks via sticky notes allows you to quickly re-prioritize by moving, rearranging, and even color-coding…it’s sort of a retro version of cut-and-paste in Word, without a single keystroke.

From tiny notes to massive calendars, from boxed archives to binder-bound papers, there truly are affordable ways to help keep our little blue marble a little bit green.

About the Author

Julie Bestry is a Certified Professional Organizer, speaker and author, who helps individuals and businesses save time and money, reduce stress and increase productivity through new organizational skills and systems. Although a generalist, Julie specializes in paper organizing, blogs as the Paper Doll, and publishes Best Results for Busy People: Organizing Your Modern World. For more information, visit Best Results Organizing at http://www.juliebestry.com.

Connect With Julie: Twitter | Facebook

We like eco-friendly products around here, so we’re very excited to have Julie Bestry share some of her favorites. This is two-part post, so be sure to check back next week to see what else is on her list.

When we try to select eco-friendly office supplies, it seems we often face a battle between green guilt and greenbacks. On the one hand, we want to be kind to the planet and feel a tad guilty each time we opt for a non-green solution. On the other hand, the more eco-friendly a product is, the more exotic it tends to be. For example, there are paper products made of everything from wheat to stone to elephant and sheep…um…byproducts. And, not surprisingly, exotic, eco-friendly paper supplies tend to be expensive.

Today, I’d like to offer up my favorite green paper-related office supplies. They’re not only gentle on the planet — they’re gentle on the pocketbook as well.

Post-It® Notes

It’s hard to find an office, from the smallest kitchen nook to the fanciest executive suite, that doesn’t make use of sticky notes. People use them for reminders, for labels, even for personal affirmations. While we’ll leave aside the efficacy of having so many little fluttering squares competing for our attention, it’s hard to ignore that nagging voice that says using so much paper is bad for Mother Earth.

Enter 3M’s Post-It® Sustain line.

Greener Notes take the notion of “It’s not easy being green” to a new level – apparently, it’s so hard to be green that the Greener Notes are only available in Canary Yellow! These notes are not only made of 100% recycled paper, but the sticky part of the sticky note is made of a plant-based adhesive. Fewer chemicals mean less energy is used for production, which means a lighter carbon footprint. Greener Notes are packaged 100 to a pad, with twelve pads to a package.

But you say you need more color in your life and Canary Yellow clashes with your paperwork?

Post-It® SuperSticky Recycled Notes are available in multiple colors (and sizes), and come lined or unlined. These notes are guaranteed made from 30% post-consumer (i.e., recycled) content.

Happily, all Post-It® Notes are Sustainable Forestry Initiative (FSI) Chain-of-Custody Certified, which means that the paper comes from ethically- and well-managed forests where trees are replanted. Indeed, the Buy One, Plant One initiative from 3M and Post-It® can help you further squelch your green guilt. Locate the promotion code on eligible recycled products, register at the Post-It® site and a tree will be planted in honor of your purchase.

While there are generic sticky note alternatives, I’ve found that the adhesive fails to stand the test of time. However, I have a charming pink Post-It® SuperSticky Recycled Note that’s been affixed to a vertical Formica surface since November. I’ve removed it frequently to dust and clean, but it reattaches with all the same stick-to-itiveness it had the first day.

Bankers Boxes®

For a tree-based product, Fellowes’ Bankers Boxes® actually have a pretty good environmental record, especially compared to similar functioning plastic storage items. Most of the boxes in the company’s basic-, extra- and maximum-strength lines are made of at least 65% recycled product. However, the Bankers Box® Earth Series line include Stor/File® (medium-duty and extra-strength) and R-Kive® (maximum-strength) boxes made of 100% recycled materials.

The box shown above is a standard letter/legal version (10.25″ x 12.5″ x 16.25″) with a lift-off locking lid, a stacking weight capacity of 550 pounds and a suggested retail price of $6.70. It comes with sturdy double-end, double-bottom, single-side construction and quickly unfolds into place, from flat-packaged to three-dimensional in seconds with FastFold Assembly.

Variations on the theme include letter- and legal- sized recycled File/Stor® boxes with flip-top lids as well as those with fold-in lids and string-and-button closures.

The Recycled R-Kive® boxes have triple-end, double-bottom, double-side construction and a special smoothed rolled-over edges to increase overall strength and prevent paper cuts. (If you’ve ever had a corrugated cardboard paper cut, you know what a value this feature is!)

Check back next week to see Julie’s final two super-awesome eco-friendly paper product picks. Wow, say that three times fast. =)

About The Author

Julie Bestry is a Certified Professional Organizer, speaker and author, who helps individuals and businesses save time and money, reduce stress and increase productivity through new organizational skills and systems. Although a generalist, Julie specializes in paper organizing, blogs as the Paper Doll, and publishes Best Results for Busy People: Organizing Your Modern World. For more information, visit Best Results Organizing at http://www.juliebestry.com.

Connect With Julie: Twitter | Facebook

I love gadgets and all things tech, but there’s a little piece of my heart that is totally reserved for Post-it® Notes.  Now, I can enjoy both…together…at the same time. I’m always in search of sticky notes to write something or other down, and 3M has found a way to get them to make nice with my laptop.

With the Post-it® Laptop Note Dispenser, my stickies are always close by. All I have to do is stick the dispenser to my laptop and make sure that it’s filled. I can remove it whenever I want and there’s no residue left behind. And, no matter where I am, I can save a little time and have have access to two of my favorite things.

The dispensers also come in colors I really like. Right now, I’m using the hot pink one. It goes quite nicely with my laptop’s black background, though for you less flashy types, you might prefer the metallic gray. Simple and effective and cute.

3M now has an even bigger place in mi corazón.

Are you battling piles and piles of mail? You can get out from under all that paper by setting up a dedicated mail station.  It will be time well spent and give you one specific location for all things mail.

Here are a few basic things you’ll probably need, but feel free to add all the things you like to have on hand when you’re going through mail. If you have everything you need, you’re less likely to get distracted and more likely to completely process your letters.

•  Clear surface for processing mail (preferably a desk and not the kitchen counter)

•  Basket or bin for incoming mail

•  Shredder

•  Garbage bin

•  Recycling bin

Other things you might need…

•   Letter opener

•   Stamps

•   Return address labels

•   Pens and Sharpies

•   Desktop Scanner (scan then shred – check with your tax advisor before shredding financial paper)

Read More:  Mail Control in 3 Easy Steps

From time to time, I am sent products to test out.*  Some are great, like this one and this one…others, not so much, like this one.

Lucky for me – and you – I was sent adhesive pockets made by 3M that work. Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I am in LOVE with post-it notes. My dream would be have to 3M and Sharpie come up with a post-it note and Sharpies combo. Together. Side by side.  In the same package. Sorry, just thought I’d share.

Anywaaay…back to the pockets…

To borrow a line from Tony the Tiger, they’re great!  They’re easy to use and they really do help to clear up fridge clutter. For those of you who tend to put papers that you want to remember (like football tickets or that form you need to complete) on the fridge, these pockets will help you to keep them all together in a neat, orderly way. Simply peel off the backing and place on your fridge. You could probably put them on the side of your file cabinet, too.

Here’s a look at the two that I’ve been using for the last month or so. I use the larger pocket for docs and the smaller pocket is the place I store coupons. Good news: I’m always able to find papers, continually update my household inventory form, and have my coupons in sight.   Bad news: I have to remember to take the coupons with me! Can you say senior moment? ;)

*I received these products free of cost without solicitation from 3M. They in no way directed the content of this post.

Buy Post-It Pockets

“Going paperless – banking online, receiving bills and statements online, and paying those bills online – makes people happier.  It reduces dissatisfaction with the companies sending those bills…even though some people hang onto paper like its some kind of crazy life preserver, when you get rid of the paper you are much less likely to be upset with any of the companies you deal with.“

Read More:

Online Bill-Paying Makes People Happier, Research Shows | WalletPop.com | 5.20.10

You know what it’s like when you get important tip, need to take down a message, or write down your to do’s…and you grab whatever you can find…napkin, post-it, back of an envelope, your palm. Some people, like me, prefer notebooks, but if you have more than one, it can be confusing and you may forget which notebook you wrote in.

Soooo, be exclusive and use just one. Keep your notebook or list with you always so that you can jott down whatever you need to no matter where you are (but not in the car, please). You may want to consider a compact version that can fit in your purse, bag, or briefcase.

Or, you can use a Circa notebook. These notebooks offer a level of flexibility that traditional notebooks don’t: you can move transfer pages from one Circa to another. Check them out and let me know what you think.

Of course, if you’re a gadget person, use your smart phone to record your list, messages, or to do’s.  You’ll probably always have it with you.

We don’t normally post on Sundays, but today we’ve decided to share a product review with you.

Today’s product review comes courtesy of Buttoned Up. I’ve reviewed* Smead and Esselte products for them in the past (check them out here and here). I’m always on the look out products that might make my life – and yours – a little easier.

This time, I’ve agreed to test out a couple more Smead products: TUFF® Hanging Folders with Easy Slide™ Tab and SuperTab® Folders. Though I’m focused on transitioning to a (mostly) paperless office, there are still a few pieces of paper that I must keep. That said, I didn’t pass up the chance to try these folders. If you’ve used any of them, be sure to leave a comment with what you liked and what you didn’t.

TUFF® Hanging Folders with Easy Slide™ Tab

What I Like

• Color. I really like the bold, vibrant colors, especially because you can assign a color to a particular file type. Smead seems to realize this because they use lots of color with their PileSmart® filing system, too.
  

• Function. They meant it when they said their files were tough. They even feel tougher. I used them for regular, lightweight paper and for manuals – lots of them. These files stood up well to the pressure. The clear tabs are also stronger than the usual flimsy ones that come with hanging file folders, and are already bent partially so you can easily see the label. You can also attach the tab to the folder in one motion – easier than with typical tabs. They really secure well to the folder.

• Green. The folders are made from 10% recycled content. I like that.

What Would Have Made it Perfect

• Ease of Use. Though I really liked the slider tabs, they didn’t always slide as easily on the folder as I would have liked. On the other hand, if they move too easily, there’s a possibility that they may fall off.

SuperTab® Oversized-Tab Folders

What I Like

• Coordinating Colors. The folder colors match up nicely with the Tuff® folders. You can also get them in manilla, pastel colors, and a heavyweight stock.

• Function. I love, love the over-sized label area. You have enough space to write or type your label AND you can actually see it easily. If you can see it more easily, then you can find what you’re looking for more quickly. Nice feature.

• Green. Yep, these are made from 10% recycled materials, too.

What Would Have Made it Perfect

• Nothing! It’s great as it is! Isn’t it nice when a product actually lives up to it’s description?

*Disclosure: This is sponsored content which means that I was compensated by Buttoned Up  for doing this review. What was my prize? A $20 Target gift card. Remember, we don’t give positive reviews for anything we do not believe in, and we’re always honest in our appraisal.  Our content was not edited or directed in any way by Smead or Buttoned Up.

Ok, raise your hand if you like sorting through mountains of mail and bills. Raise both hands if you open your mail every day…and truly enjoy the experience. If you raised your hands, I wish you Godspeed. If you didn’t, let me tell you about PayTrust by Intuit.

PayTrust lets you manage the bill paying process completely online. That means that you can kiss your paper bills goodbye. How do they do it? First, they start by receiving your bills. That’s right, no more bills for you. Well, you still have to pay them…they just stop coming to your mailbox. PayTrust then scans all your bills and uploads them to your online account.

You’re able to pay bills from more than one bank account, and all your bill info is saved with full details. You can try out the service for one month free of cost and then cough up $12.95/month once your trial is over.

So, what do you think? Is it worth it? Would you use this service? Raise your hand, er, leave a comment.

My kids were not even back to school a week, and I was already experiencing paperwork overload. Forms to fill out, PTO information, upcoming fundraisres, dates to remember, and those special art projects that just need to be saved and displayed.  What’s a mom to do, and just how does one keep it all organized? Having two kids in school for the first time this year (a first grader and preschooler) I knew immediately I needed to put a system in place. I assessed my space, and figured out a way to utilize it, to meet my needs.

The Hall Wall/Wall of Fame

Outside of my office lies a hallway, which connects the kitchen to the mudroom. It’s a major traffic area and we pass through it every day going to and from school. The wall was large and empty, and screaming for something, anything, to keep it company. Ideally, I would love to open the space, bust out a few walls, and do a complete renovation of the space. But since that plan didn’t make it on the short list this year, I decided to go to Plan B.

This wall, typically referred to as “The Hall Wall” or “Wall of Fame,” is where ALL of the important “stuff” gets posted. School calendars and schedules, cafeteria menus, homework assignments and any important dates or information are displayed for everyone to see. It’s in your face, so you have no excuse not to see it. I also post up those special projects that come home, that my little guys are oh so proud to show off. When the wall is filled, new projects can go up, only after one comes down.

Anything that doesn’t make the “Wall of Fame,” or comes down from it, goes into a binder – each kid has one. This way papers are not left all over the place. If you have a wall that is empty, it’s a perfect way to utilize the space. And it keeps the refrigerator door clutter to a minimum as well. I put a cute little ABC teacher boarder to outline the space – it defines the space, and being a former teacher, that’s just how I roll!

Get FAT

This is the only place in my life where this word is a good thing! Just to clarify, getting FAT does not refer to eating bons bons while watching Regis and Kelly when the kids are in school, as tempting as that sounds. FAT, in this case, refers strictly to my organization system and stands for File Action Toss. When papers come into the house, they must fit into one of these categories. The paper either gets filed, acted upon, or tossed. Realistically, it may not be convenient to take action at that very moment, so ACTION papers are placed in a file in my office, and are weekly acted upon.

My three tier file holder on the wall, allows a space for each of my kids, and myself (my husband has his own office and dare I say, organization system, in place). The children’s files contain school/sports papers that need action, mine are bills, and any other items non-school related. The “T” in FAT is the easiest of them all and so important to keep clutter at bay. How much junk mail do you get on a regular basic? Obscene, isn’t it? Get rid of it the second it enters your house, and you will feel better instantly. With several weeks under our belts, the system appears to be working nicely.

The key is to implement a system and stick to it daily. A few minutes each day can save you hours down the road and you’ll never miss a homework assignment or PTO meeting as a result! Plus, being organized, will free up some additional free time while the kids are at school…stay tuned for an upcoming post on how to organize that free time ~ unfortunately, this will not involve eating bons bons either.

How do you stay organized??  Here’s wishing you all a great school year ahead!