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Where Every Issue is a Green Issue| Providing Wisdom in Building a Sustainable Future | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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A GreenSage Guide to Affecting Change at Your Office Acquire Some Green Habits and Don't Leave Home Without Them Finally we're at a place in this 'green movement' where many companies want to participate, save energy and do the right thing by being sustainable. In our experience, we find most people are overwhelmed at the thought that so much needs to be done and fear that the efforts needed may be beyond their capacity. Company management is no different. Fear not! Just as Margaret Mead has said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Its likely the same with your workplace. Lets assume your managers are too busy to think about any kind of change. So help them out! Put a suggestion program together for them. Present your suggestions in a compelling way (as opposed to a demanding way) and make it to the right people in your workplce. They're likely to listen and take action — at least on some of your suggestions. You get to be the leader in affecting change. If any of your suggestions are implemented, keep notifying the right people — those who generate the buzz, those who will come up with more ideas of their own, and those who will be inspired by you. You will likely inspire them to step forward with their ideas and your company will begin to make a difference AND be happy with their new position as more eco-friendly. Here's some suggestions for Easy Ways to Effect Change at Work 1. Make a Green List Appropriate for Your Workplace It could include, for example: Energy Savings: a.Switch lights to Fluorescents, CFLs (compact fluorescent lights). Suggest automatic dimmers, motion detectors or timers be installed. Go ahead and locate where in your office they can be installed and how many. Replacing just four incandescents with CFLs could save $30 per year and 718 lbs. of carbon dioxide (CO2) not emitted into the atmosphere. Do the math for them. You can even suggest they wait until incandescents burn out so as not to be wasteful. b.Set computers to automatic sleep mode. Water Savings: a.Note any plumbing leaks that need attention. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day, a leaking toilet as much as 3,000 gallons. b.Utilize low flow fixtures and make your case using EPA's new WaterSense labeling program for bathroom faucets & fixtures to potentially save your company hundreds or thousands of dollars a year. Global Warming Issues: a.Think your company could adjust their heating/cooling system by 1 degree? How about 2 degrees and everyone still be comfortable? Take a survey among your colleagues how comfortable this would be for them. Note any hot spots or cold spots in the office environment. b.Check out the possibilities for bike parking, carpooling, or telecommuting. Got any ideas for employee incentives to purchase a hybrid car for their next vehicle (like parking percs)? Put this in your survey for your colleagues to consider. Natural Resources: a.Recycling program — got one in place? If so, can it be improved? If not, can you organize one? If it can, list your ideas of how it will work, such as what can be recycled, what needs to be separated and any bins you'll need. Where in your office can you place them? How will you teach staff to use them? b.Suggest changing printer paper to a higher recycled content. See if your computer system can accommodate posting more information online to further eliminate printing unnecessary copies. c.If your office has a kitchen or meeting facilities, does your office use disposable or reusable dishes and flatware? Think your office could spring for washable, reusable? d.Are recycled content papers used in the restrooms? If not, how can your office purchase them and for how much? 2. Build Your Consensus Get the conversation going at work as you build your list. Talk to all your colleagues. Set a good example. Brainstorm ideas. Circulate as many ideas as appropriate. Encourage eco-friendly thinking which can be turned into policies. Do the majority of the due diligence. If you can do the legwork (such as locate where to purchase more environmentally friendly supplies, estimate cost savings, or chart cost comparisons), you have a better chance of having your ideas accepted and making a difference. Find out who in your company is in charge of these areas, like Facilities Managers or the Office Supply Buyer. If they're not the decision makers, get them on your side by describing the benefits before you approach the decision maker. 3. Getting to Yes, No or Maybe Schedule an appointment and make your case to the decision makers. Use the cost savings numbers you've researched. Show how easy it will be to implement these ideas one by one. Give an overview of your colleagues' input and surveys. Don't forget to share the point of view that companies who are going green have an advantage because more and more people are prioritizing doing business with greener companies over non-green companies. Even if your ideas are not all received well or policies don't get changed, don't give up. For the moment, accept what is approved with gratitude, but keep doing your legwork and building consensus. The environmental movement started with nothing more than building awareness. Continue to circulate eco-ideas among your colleagues, see who is willing to make commitments on their own — at the office and at home. Compare notes and keep the conversation going by sharing with new acquaintences on a regular basis. And keep a record of all you've done to clip to your resume. When you move on, you can repeat this process at your next office and your employer will likely admire your initiative and your position on the environment. Thanks for making a difference! |
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