Encourage your
company to develop a greenhouse gas inventory
An inventory includes a list of emission sources as well
as the amount of standardized accompanying emissions. The majority of a
company’s emissions tend to come from building heating and cooling, fleet
vehicles, electricity use, and employee travel. Small companies can calculate
their emissions and carbon footprint here. The EPA’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership is a resource
center to help organizations identify and achieve cost-effective GHG emission
reductions. Environment Canada also has resources for businesses about
sustainable development planning, reporting, and programs.
Use renewable and
sustainable power
Though some regions generate their grid power from
cleaner energy sources such as hydropower other regions source their grid power
from emission-heavy fossil fuel powered plants. Consequently, emissions from
electricity generated from fossil fuels can have a significant impact the
environment and your organization's carbon footprint. Green power is
electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind, sun,
geothermal, and biomass. Purchasing your power from renewable energy sources is
an effective way for your organization to reduce its carbon footprint and
environmental impact. Visit the EPA's Green Power Partnership for information
on how to purchase green power in the United States. In Canada your business
can purchase green power from Bullfrog Power.
Use public
transportation, bike, walk, or carpool to work
Instead of using your car, why not save your gas money
and get a little exercise at the same time by biking or walking to work! If you
do need to drive, organize a carpool or take public transit to limit the number
of cars on the road. A smaller number of cars on the road mean less carbon
emissions. Leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce your
greenhouse gas emissions by an average of two tons per year.
Telecommunicate
instead of travelling on a plane to meet clients
Flying is resource intensive and produces large carbon
emissions; you can prevent the need to fly by phone, audio and
video conferencing instead. You can also save money, time, and reduce stress by
teleconferencing. If you must travel consider alternate less carbon intensive
modes of transport such as trains. Train travel is estimated to produce 90
percent fewer emissions than flying. You could also consider telecommuting for
your everyday work if possible; this could also reduce your emissions and save
you waiting in traffic every day.
(Learn more about
airplane emissions in our article about The
Green Passport Initiative!)
Install smart
power strips to turn off electronics completely
The energy used to power electronics in offices can be
greatly reduced if they are turned off when not needed instead of left on
standby to continuously suck up energy. For example did you know that a
600-watt photocopier left on standby for 24 hours a day uses about $750 of
electricity in a year? If it is turned on only during normal working hours, two
thirds of this electricity could be saved.
Smart strips turn off devices and
prevent phantom energy from continuously flowing through them. Electronics such
as computers, printers, scanners and copiers should be plugged into smart
strips which stop drawing power when your gadgets are on standby or are turned
off. For example, when a printer plugged into a basic smart strip goes into
standby mode, its power consumption drops. Consequently, the circuitry detects
the change and cuts the power to that outlet but the rest of the outlets in use
stay on. As a result both energy associated emissions and costs will be reduced.
Switch
to energy efficient lighting and turn lights off when not in use
Refit your workplace with energy saving light bulbs
labelled ENERGY STAR® to help the
environment as well as help your company save money on the electricity bill! Compact fluorescent light
(CFL) bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10
times longer. Light emitting diode
(LED) lights are an emerging technology and are also 75% more efficient than
incandescent bulbs. LEDs can last even longer than CFLs—lasting 15 to 20 times
longer than incandescent bulbs.
If your workplace occupants are having difficulty
regularly turning off the lights you can install motion or occupant sensors,
which automatically turn off lighting when no one is present and come back on
when they return.
Recycle everything you can
Recycling reduces the size and affect of landfills, helps conserve
natural resources, decreases pollution, and saves energy. Ensure that your
company recycles paper products, batteries, and printer cartridges.
Additionally, make sure the office’s old electronics (e.g., computers,
monitors, cell phones, TVs) are recycled. There are many different programs
including leasing programs, manufacturer and retailer take-back programs and
municipal programs your company can utilize to ensure the reuse and/or recycling
of your electronics. In the US your company can participate in the EPA’s WasteWise program which helps
its participants meet goals to reduce and recycle municipal solid waste and
selected industrial wastes.
Go
paperless
- Go a step further than just recycling your paper; avoid initially using it whenever possible.
- Set 'double sided' as the default setting on your printer.
- Go electronic instead of using hard copies: phone and email, use overheads and power point presentations, get e-subscriptions, and use web resources.
- Replace paper towels with hand dryers in the bathrooms.
- Switch to cloth towels and napkins in kitchens.
- Use reusable mugs and plates in the company kitchen.
- Switch to a metal mesh reusable coffee filter in the company kitchen so you do not need disposable paper ones.
Use non-toxic
green cleaning products in your work area or office
Using green products for cleaning your
workplace can be better for the health of the planet, yourself, and your
employees. Green products are typically made with natural ingredients and can
reduce the amount of harmful toxins you inhale each day. Green products are
also often packaged in recycled or biodegradable materials and offer bulk
options to reduce waste. Research and read the labels of your green products,
looking for words such as biodegradable, 100% recycled, certified
organic, and green certified, to chose the ones that are right for
you.
Choose
foods that are local, organic and sustainable for lunches, meetings and catered
events
Produce that is grown in
your area requires lower inputs to get to the store/farmers’ market/restaurant,
and by buying seasonal produce you’re more likely to get produce that’s local. A good way to know if your food is
sustainably produced is to talk to the farmer! Buy farm-gate produce or
shop at farmers’ markets whenever it’s possible. Ask the farmer how they
grow their crops. The farmers that are passionate about sustainable practices
will enthusiastically share their knowledge.
(You can read more about sustainable
agriculture on our blog here!)
Choosing
food that is organic ensures that it is pesticide and GMO free and thus that
there are no negative impacts on the surrounding soil, water, air, or
organisms. Eating organic also may prevent a number of negative human health
problems linked to pesticide use.
Pack waste-free
lunches
Through packing a waste-free lunch at home (and not
getting take-out) your energy emissions, meal costs, and the waste you produce
are all reduced. The average child is said to produce 67 pounds of trash at
lunch a year and you are creating the same if not more at work! Switch to reusable utensils,
containers, napkins, water bottles and lunch boxes to avoid trash generation.
When shopping for reusable lunch wares remember that some may actually contain
lead and/or PVC which are not safe to be in contact with food. Reusable
containers made of glass, stainless, and lead-free ceramic are the safest
options.
(Read specific
examples on how other companies have gone green on our Green Companies from the Ground Up
and Going Green in Business pages!)
Sources: Green Office, Green Office Certification, Got Tech, Recycle for Change, Entrepreneurs for Change, Telecom, Interesting
Energy Facts Blog, Autowale.in, PC
Mag, Industry Canada, Slacker Saver, Chicago Tribune Local, BC Living, Go
Green in Stages
