Any ideas for greener workplace?

FergusF

Has anyone had experience influencing your employer and work colleagues to act in a more environmentally aware way?

I have just volunteered for 'green team' at my workplace, this was founded about a year ago and since then they have had some success with increasing the amount of recycling. We have cut down a lot on the rubbish and now most people are co-operating by putting their cans, empty milk cartons, etc in the recycling bins.

Now this team will be meeting every month, I'm looking for ideas ideas that simple and easy to put into practice. Also any tips on educating people in a subtle way.

As a bicycle commuter, I am planning to suggest more support for those who cycle to work, we already have shower facilities and bike racks. I'm thinking a bike to work day once a month, with a free (healthy) breakfast for those who take part. Of 80 workers there are 2 regular cycle commuters, and another 4 or so who do it very occcaisonally.

If you have any practical experience / tips / ideas for making a greener workplace please share them here.

bandraoi

If it's a big enough office, set up car pooling of some description.

Keyzer

Green paint...

FergusF

Thanks for the ideas guys, keep them coming!

is_that_so

Get people to bring in mugs and plastic water bottles - save on plastic cups

egan007

take out paper towels put in a hand dryer

Thomond Pk

Fergus the first thing I would do is talk to the office manager and ask if you reduce overheads through your project will a proportion of the saving be put into a night out for the staff who implement it.

There are a number of ways to save money such as:

Recycling more and disposing of it in the Eurobins which cost 20 euro a lift and 3 euro a week to rent, this is significantly cheaper than 20 sacks at 5 euro each.

Get people to switch off their computers before they leave the office

Getting people to give up car spaces and put them back on the market for rent cbd space in Dublin worth 3750 p.a. with no shortage of takers.

smileygal

Photocopying - cut down paper consumption with double-sided copying where possible,

cut down waste (enlargements gone wrong, previous settings not what you want) -refresher training for all, cos nobody'll admit to not knowing how to operate it, and they'll like a half -hour away from work..

ask people to think about how many e-mails they really need to print, especially short ones

is_that_so

Thomond Pk wrote:

Get people to switch off their computers before they leave the office

This may not always be possible but at the very least everyone should turn off their monitors.

FergusF

Thanks for all the tips / input guys. Yes, we have already set the printers to print double-sided. Also we send a newsletter every few months to try to raise awareness or recycling, etc and ask people not to print unneccessarily.

It's not possible to shut down the PCs at night as we get automatic software updates, anti-virus and so on that are installed at night. We'll keep reminding people to turn off their monitors also.

Good ideas on the car-pooling too, I think some people are already doing this but it could be encouraged more. The company are already somewhat clued-in to transport issues, e.g. there is a max limit to the mileage you can claim - this is to encourage ppl to use the train instead of the car when travelling between Galway & Dublin offices.

I am trying to get more people out of their cars but it's an uphill struggle, some have the feeling they will lose their 'professional' image if they use a bicycle, others feel a 2-mile spin would be far too strenuous!

I'm afraid our only reward is the satisfaction of having helped the environment!

I appreciate all the input so far. Anyone who has made some changes at their workplace - I am interested to hear how you 'sold' the idea to management, and how it worked out.

smileygal

Also drinks can recycling in special bins, if enough consumed

And ink cartridge recycling

and another... depending on office, house plants to make it literally greener, more pleasant and also provide oxygen

johnos

In my experience, most offices are chronically over-heated. Get them to switch the heat off or down.