Before you leave, be a seasonal Scrooge and make the effort to shut down your PC, printer and other electrical equipment properly and remind your colleagues to do the same.
After it is all over, we all often breathe a sigh of relief and most of us resolve to make the next year just a little better than the last with a few New Year's Resolutions. This year, why don't you and your colleagues consider some of our ideas for resource efficiency, to make 2009 a more efficient one than 2008 and help save your business money.
KEEP IT LOCAL & BUY BRITISH
That old campaign adage is gaining new significance as we try to sustain our local economy and reduce the air miles and carbon footprint of our sales and purchases. Is your business doing enough to use and buy local products?
RECYCLING
While offices have become used to paper and other day-to-day consumables recycling, there is always more that can be done. By becoming more efficient in the use of office consumables, fewer resources need to be recycled, which will further reduce recycling and raw material costs.
BE WATER AWARE
Keep water-using equipment well maintained and check periodically for leaks. Install water-saving showers, automatic shut-off taps, motion sensor fitted urinals and displacement devices in toilets.
CHECK YOUR FACTS
Many myths abound, meaning it is likely that some of your colleagues may be missing opportunities for best possible practices. Contrary to popular belief, using recycled materials does not equate to zero environmental impact – simply less. So try to choose minimally packaged products instead and work with your suppliers to ensure deliveries are packaged using returnable or re-usable materials.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE CAUSE
Save paper by canceling unwanted or duplicated magazine and newspaper subscriptions. It is not too much of a hardship to circulate or share a magazine within the office, after all.
APPOINT RESPONSIBILITY
Gaining the support of staff within your business is key to successful waste reduction. Make sure that each person is taking responsibility for turning appliances and PCs off at night. Solicit your colleagues' ideas as to the biggest areas where waste could be reduced and performance improved. Even appoint a 'Champion' and set some targets for waste reduction that can be measured.
Additional Resources
Spare a Christmas Tree
A card is for life – not just for Christmas
All wrapped up at Christmas
GG346 Engaging SMEs in environmental improvement: a best practice guide for business support organisations
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