Green workplaces
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There are many relatively easy things you can do to start ‘greening’ your office or workplace. Many of these won’t only help to reduce waste or save energy but will also save money too – which is likely to be popular with your employer! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Carry out a workplace green audit - this will help you to identify areas most in need of improvement. You can do this yourself - see for example FOE Scotland’s greening the office website that has an online audit or you could get an organisation to come in and conduct an audit for you. The organisation, Envirowise, for example offers this service. See the Envirowise website for further details.
2. Use recycled paper. If your organisation doesn’t already use recycled paper for printers, photocopiers etc, get your employer to change the paper they buy. Many brands of recycled paper for general office use are now available, though it’s a good idea to test a sample first to check it works OK with your printers and copiers.
3. Re-use and recycle. The average office worker in the UK sends 180kg (28 stone) of waste to landfill every year, over 90% of which could be recycled. Getting your office/workplace to recycle waste paper if it doesn’t already do so is a good start - use publicity to encourage staff to recycle. Beyond that, some types of printer cartridges can re-filled and re-used, otherwise photocopier and printer cartridges can often be retuned to the manufacture for recycling. Other ideas:
- instead of putting used envelopes straight in the bin, reuse them, either for internal or external mail or both.
- stationery items such as folders, document wallets, ring binders and magazine files can also be re-used by colleagues if you no longer have a use for them.
4. Save paper. Here are a few ideas:
- Don’t print e-mails unless you need to keep a hard copy.
- Set photocopies and printers to print double-sided.
- Use scrap paper to make note pads rather than buying new ones.
- In meeting and training rooms use white boards and pens rather than flip chart paper.
5. Raise money for charity. You could raise money for your favourite charity by starting a scheme for collecting and recyling mobile phones or aluminium drinks cans in your workplace.
6. Canteen/catering. Switching from vending or coffee machines that use plastic or polystyrene cups to a kettle, mugs and supplies of fairtrade tea or coffee will not only save money and reduce waste/ save energy but will probably taste better!
7. Lighting, electrical & computer equipment. A PC monitor left on overnight can waste enough electricity to laser print over 500 pages. Ensure computers, printers and photocopiers – as well as lights - are switched off at night and when not in use. The Carbon Trust website has a list of practical tips and provides resources, including stickers and posters that can be displayed to encourage staff to use energy saving measures.
8. Buy recycled products – there is now a wide range of recycled items you can buy for the office from mouse mats to pencils and toner cartridges. See the London Remade website for details of products that are available.
9. Sign up for the Mayor of London’s Green Procurement code. This is free and will allow your organisation to access London Remade’s services and get help with developing environmentally beneficial policies, setting targets and finding information about suppliers of recycled products. See London Remade website for more information about the code and how to join.
Useful websites
FOE Scotland’s green office website
Advice, factsheets and an online audit
Offers UK businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
Wastewatch
Tips on waste reduction in the workplace
Trade Union Sustainable Development Advisory Committee (TUSDAC) TUSDAC has produced a major report, Greening the Workplace (2005), which aims to encourage trade unions to tackle the growing challenge of climate change through changes in the workplace.
