These days, responsible consumers and businesses are going green. One way you can boost your home or office’s green power is to take advantage of the wealth of eco-friendly cleaning supplies on the market today. Of course, because so many cleaning product makers have jumped on the green bandwagon, it can be a little difficult to make an informed choice. Smart Office helps you wade through the marketing to find truly green cleaning supplies.
Green Seal certified cleaning supplies are a good choice if you’re looking to go green. Green Seal evaluates the entire manufacturing process, not just the end product. The organization even visits manufacturing plants, so you can be sure that you are getting a truly ethical product.

The EPA Design for the Environment seal is also a reliable method of determining a products eco-friendliness. Like Green Seal, the EPA also evaluates the entire manufacturing process and the end product. You can trust that cleaning supplies bearing the DfE label are safe, eco-friendly and effective.

You’ll also want to look for VOC certified products when you shop for cleaning solvents and detergents. VOCs are volatile organic compounds, harmful chemical gasses released by many common cleaners. VOC certified products don’t contain harmful air pollutants.

Last, look for products that are made from recycled materials and are in turn fully recyclable. On Time Supplies carries thousands of green cleaning and janitorial supplies. Here are five great green janitorial supplies to help you turn over a new green leaf.

Palmolive Pure + Clear Dish Liquid

Palmolive’s Pure + Clear dish washing liquid is DfE certified, contains no phosphates or unnecessary dyes and frangrances.

Misty Heavy Duty Glass Cleaner

Misty Heavy Duty Glass Cleaner is biodegradable and meets the EPA’s VOC and DfE guidelines. It bears the Green Seal of approval too. Misty Heavy Duty glass cleaner also works great on stainless steel, enamel, chrome – really, you can use on practically any non-porous surface.

Fabuloso All-Purpose Cleaner

Fabuloso all-purpose cleaner is biodegradable and DfE certified. You can use it in place of a variety of commercial cleaners because it penetrates deep and removes grease.

Marcal 100% Recycled Paper Towels

Marcal 100% Recycled Paper Towels are a great green alternative to standard paper towels for any home or office.

Stout Total Recycled Content Trash Bags

Eco-friendly Stout trash bags are made from 100% recycled materials, and are puncture and tear resistant, so are a great green solution for any home or office.

On Time Supplies is giving away a free  Targus CityLite Laptop Bag this month! Targus laptop cases are  lightweight so they’re easy to carry, padded so your notebook stays safe in transit, and big enough to tote everything you need to get through your day! The Targus case features and expandable file section for school work or important business documents, as well as plenty of space for pens, CDs, your iPod and other essential supplies. Plus,  you can attach the Targus bag to your rolling travel case with the handy luggage strap!

Be sure to register to win your free Targus laptop bag by Thursday, September 16. I’ll announce the winner here at Smart Office Friday the 17th! Good luck!

How to win a free Targus CityLite Laptop Bag

1. Follow On Time Supplies on Twitter or Facebook, or Subscribe to Smart Office

2.  Comment @OnTimes Supplies on Twitter and Facebook, or in the comments of this Smart Office post:

“I want to win a free laptop bag from www.OnTimeSupplies.com! http://bit.ly/9rmZoW” [the link must be included!]

That’s it! You don’t have to buy anything; you just have to live in the continental US. Each unique subscription and comment is good for one entry. So subscribe and post at Twitter, Facebook and Smart Office for three chances to win! I’ll announce the winner of the free laptop bag September 17, 2010 at Smart Office.

1. Amplivox BeltBlaster Wireless PA System

You can’t be stuck behind a lectern if you want to put on a dynamic presentation. The Amplivox BeltBlaster wireless PA System is worn like a belt and equipped with a microphone headset, so your hands stay free. This fully portable PA system lets you move across the stage and through the room so your audience stays engaged. Best of all, the powerful amplifier makes this the perfect indoor and outdoor PA System.

2.  Sharp Portable Digital DLP Projector

These days, there’s no need to equip every classroom or meeting space with a dedicated digital project. Sharp’s digital DLP projector is one of the sleekest the market. Fully portable at only 13 lbs, this portable digital projector offers the color clarity of DLP technology and easily connects to your PC, Mac, DVD player and even your VCR! In addition, the projector’s wireless remote functions and a mouse, pointer and spotlight adjuster, ensuring smooth transitions in your presentation.

3.  Kensington Wireless Presenter

Of course, if you’re happy with your digital projector, you can just upgrade the remote! This pocket sized, ergonomic Kensington wireless presenter offers full mouse functions and works with most digital projectors, PCs, Macs and DVD players. It even does double duty as a laser pointer, reducing the amount of presentation equipment you have to haul around.

4.  iMation Wireless Projection Link 

A notebook PC will always be less cumbersome to transport than a digital projector. iMation’s USB transmitter allows you to sync up your laptop with almost any digital projector. You can’t beat the portablilty of this wireless projection link. You don’t have to install any special software, and whatever you see on your notebook screen is displayed on the projection screen.

5.  3M Multipurpose Transparency Films 

If your classroom or meeting room uses overhead projectors for presentations, you’re going to need good transparency films. 3M multipurpose transparency films can’t be beat for versatility and convenience – one side works with laser copiers and printers, the other with inkjet printers. You don’t have to worry about loading the wrong side either, thanks to the removeable sensing stripe that tells you which side to use with our machine.

Smart Office deems these presentation gadgets awesome! They all provide the versatility you need to put on great office and classroom presentations. Subscribe to Smart Office for more news and reviews of the latest office technology!

Avery bills NoteTabs as “notes, tabs and flags in one” – as useful an innovation as I’ve every heard. I’m sure you guys will want to use Avery NoteTabs on lots of very important documents, text books and planners. I just tested mine out on magazines to highlight the fall looks that I’m going to look great in and cute haircuts. I usually have to rip out a magazine pages that have information or pictures I want to save. Thanks to Avery NoteTabs, my W magazines stay intact, just the way Conde Nast intended! That officially earns Avery NoteTabs a “thumbs up” from Smart Office.

I’mma get that coat!

Avery NoteTabs are a significant upgrade from you standard flimsy page flags. They’re pretty sturdy, so you can grab a tab and turn right to your indexed page. Plus, they provide a nicely sized, see-through writing surface, so you can highlight text on a page and jot yourself a note. Best of all, they are completely removable and repositional. You can use Avery NoteTabs over and over again. You don’t have to deface your reference books and important documents anymore with highlighters, hard to remove page flags, or by writing notes directly on the page.

Not only does On Time Supplies offer the entire Avery NoteTabs lineup at great prices, you can take them out for your own free spin. You can get a free sample of the same square tabs I used at Avery.com.

Be sure to subscribe to Smart Office for more free office supply news, reviews and free samples!

On Time Supplies and Smart Office have joined together to launch new Twitter-based customer service forum. @OTS_Support will answer customer queries about On Time Supplies and share articles, resources and tips from the On Times Supplies Knowledge Base. So go ahead and pick their brains! The support team is happy to help your choose an office chair or printer, help you get in touch with a manufacturer, and more!

Of course you can always contact On Time Supplies the old fashioned way! Feel free to call the toll free customer service number or send a message through the site. You can even send a letter to the On Time Supplies post office box!

Did I mention that this is printer compatible magnetic paper? Yes, indeed. With Avery Magnet Sheets, you can make custom magnets – personalized refrigerator magnets, locker magnets and more. The start of the new school year means it’s locker decorating season, the perfect time for a Smart Office Review.

Avery Magnetic Sheets can be used with any standard inkjet printer. I have an HP Deskjet and got great results. Just be sure to load your sheets magnet side up – learn from my mistake!

So, take to Google’s Image Search to find cool pictures that will make great magnets. I chose a bunch of band and exploitation flick pictures because I’m cool like that.

The possibilities are endless! Personally, I think this little Crimson Mystery magnet looks pretty awesome holding up my favorite Satay recipe. But if you’re a teen decorating your locker, you might be more into Justin Bieber and True Blood magnets. That’s what Twitter’s Trending Topics tell me, anyway!

Avery Magnet Sheets also make great magnetic photo frames. Just download the great templates at Avery.com, print and cut, and viola! You’ve got a personalized picture frame. Magnetic sheets are also a great way to post important phone numbers, to do lists, soccer practice schedules and more! Again, the possibilities are limitless!

So, Smart Office verdict: Avery Magnet Sheets are a great way to decorate your locker or refrigerator with custom magnets and magnetic picture frames. You can pick up Avery Magnet Sheets at a great price at www.OnTimeSupplies.com.  Subscribe to Smart Office for more office supplies reviews and craft project!

1. Recycle more than paper. Companies like RECYCLEPAK make it easy for offices to recycle batteries and light bulbs. From calculators to cell phones, you can recycle many small office electronics in the same manner as your empty ink and toner toner cartridges-by sending them back to the manufacturers.
2. Recycle ink and toner cartridges. Many ink and toner manufacturers provide pre-paid shipping labels to make recycling ink and toner cartridges easy. Just return you empty cartridges and let them handle the recycling. If you’re handy with a soldering iron, you can try refilling your toner cartridges yourself. There are many step by step guides floating around online. Just be advised: refilling toner cartridges can be a messy undertaking and carries some risk to your office machines.
3. Donate or recycle old computers. Don’t throw away old office computers after an upgrade – donate! Do it for the tax write off, PR benifits, and that warm do – gooder glow. The National Cristina Foundation is a great organization to donate to – they match match old office computers with  needy schools. Furthermore, Dell and other computer manufacturers offer free recycling and trade ins. Or you can go old school and donate your old office computers to Goodwill. Of course, Dell and other computer manufacturers offer free computer recycling, as well as trade-in deals. With all the computer recycling and donation programs available to offices, there is no excuse for any office computer to end up in a landfill.
4. Compost cafeteria food waste. According to the EPA, only  2% of food waste is recycled for composting. Companies that expand their office recycling programs to include food composting significantly reduce their trash removal expense and gain invaluable PR. “In-vessel” composting is the best solution for most office because the food waste is fully contained to eliminate odors and keep away critters. The EPA offers a free guide to commercial food composting on their website.

Expanding the office recycling program is great way to green your office. Sure, you help the environment when you recycle, but you also boost your company’s public image and improve the bottom line! Comprehensive recycling programs are one of the few ways businesses can save money and look good doing it!

1. Make a to-do list. Taking a few minutes to list your organization goals can keep your from feeling overwhelmed.
2. Stay focused! Once you start clearing out the clutter, you’re going to find lost memos, business cards, and small supplies you thought The Littles had made off with. Do not get sidetracked. When you cleaning out your drawers, keep cleaning your office drawer until they are completely clutter free. Don’t switch to organizing your Rolodex just because you’ve found a lost business card or two.
3. Develop a filing system and stick with it. As noted long ago at Smart Office, uniformity is the key to effective filing systems. Taking the time to create a file guide to keep on top of file cabinets, particularly file cabinets in shared work spaces, ensures that every one know exactly where the office files go. That will go a long way towards keeping all the office files organized.
4. Organize your Cds and DVDs. Before you can organize your CDs and DVDs, you need to identify and label them. LightScribe permanently labels CDs and DVDs, while printed labels provide the flexibility need for your DVD- and CD-R discs. Once you’ve labeled, you can quickly organize your organize your CDs and DVDs.
5. Get a new file cabinet if you need one. You can’t organize your office if half of your office file jackets and folders live in messy, disorganized piles and stacks on the floor and on top of guest seating. It’s time for a bigger file cabinet. Before you buy a file cabinet, learn the difference between lateral and vertical filing cabinets, and which cabinet style works best with your office filing system.
6. Organize desk files with desktop file sorters. Unorganized desk files, memos and letters make any office desk look messy and hide  important files and paperwork. Organize letters and loose documents in desk trays. Desk files are a great way to keep frequently reference files organized and close at hand.
7. Organize your desk supplies. Now, there’s nothing wrong with keeping your pens and pencils in an old coffee can– if you work from home and never hold meetings in your office. But if you interact with clients and colleagues in your office, you need real pencil cups and supply organizers. They only cost a few bucks, and project an organized, professional image.
8. Organize and detangle cords and cables. One the messiest areas of any workspace is the unsightly tangle of cords and cables that power modern office machines. People have devoloped all sorts of creative… and dubious DIY methods of organizing cables.  The are really just a couple of good ways to deal with tangled cords and cables – Cord concealers and cable straps. Cable straps prevent cord tangles at workstation, with colored cable straps allowing for color coding for easy identification. Cord concealers work great in shared workspaces and large offices thanks to channels that hide power cords and networking, and guide them to the right office machines and outlets. Just make sure you choose a cord concealer with a self adhesive backing so no one disturbs or trips over the office cables and cords.
9. Make a shopping list of the supplies you’re running low on. You should re-order all your office supplies at the same time whenever possible. When you buy office supplies online at On Time Supplies, you can take advantage of bulk order discounts, as well as free fast shipping on orders of $75 or more.
10. Clean & disinfect every work surface. Most office desk host a whopping 22,000 germs per square inch. Your office telephone is even worse. You don’t even want to know how many icky germs are living, breathing and breading on your telephone handset, so I’m not going to tell you. Suffice it to say, a few disinfecting wipes will go a long way towards preventing illnesses.

And you’re done! Take a look around — Doesn’t your office look nice?! Now that you’ve organized your workspace and office files, pull this list once a month or so and do it all again!

Avery has teamed up with Box Tops for Education to raise money for school playground equipment, classroom computers, school books, school supplies and more – anything America’s schools need to give our children the best education possible. Participating in the Avery Box Tops program is easy. Just cut the Box Tops coupon from the packaging of Avery Box Tops eligible supplies and turn the coupons in to your school!

On Time Supplies carries a wide variety of discount Avery Box Tops supplies, so you save money while you raise money. Take advantage of our discounts on Avery two pocket folders in bulk, HI-LITER highlighters in bulk, dry erase markers in bulk and more! Here are just a few more of the great Avery school and office supplies that help you raise money for your children’s schools:

• Avery File Folder Labels
• Avery Write On Index Tab Dividers
• Avery Round Ring View Binders
• Avery Name Badge Label Pads
• Avery HI-LITER Pink and Yellow Highlighters
• Avery Acid Free Glue Sticks

Box Tops for Education has earned more than $320 million for schools nationwide. One determined parent can have a big impact. Here’s how you can help raise money for your local school.

• Organize a Box Tops drive with other parents. You will be amazed by how many Box Tops coupons just a few parents can come up with!
• Box Tops for Education gives away hundreds of thousands of Box Top coupons every week. Join the Box Tops Community to become eligible for the Box Tops drawings.

Avery isn’t the only great brand participating in the Box Tops program. You can find more Box Tops for Education information and a list off all the partners on their website.

Lewis Arnold! Congratulations Lewis! On Time Supplies doesn’t mess around when it comes to shipping, so your Mead subject notebooks, Avery binder, Pentel pencils, Tombow correction tapes, Crayola art supplies and more than $100 in other absolutely essential school will arrive shortly.

Congratulations again Lewis! Lewis’s winning entry was chosen by the random number generator at www.psychicscience.org. That’s a more efficient and reliably unbiased version of the old pull a name out of a hat routine I was leaning towards before I realized exactly how many little slips I’d have to cut up to cover all the contest entries! There are a lot of people clamoring for free school supplies on Twitter & Facebook! To the other 160-odd entrants that didn’t win the free school supplies: don’t despair! Check in on the On Time Supplies Twitter and Facebook pages, and at Smart Office, for more prize giveaways and contest. Next time, you might be the lucky duck that Tweets and comments your ways to victory! Plus, I’ll give you a heads up on discount office supplies deals at www.OnTimeSupplies.com!

P.S. Isn’t the congratulations pic adorable? You can find more cool & beautiful calligraphy pictures at www.penpeople.org.uk.