Green Policy

 

Rationale:  Most of us spend at least eight hours a day at work. The changes we make to conserve the earth’s resources in our professional lives influences others in our workplaces and can have an even more far-reaching effect than the actions we take at home.  We can improve our quality of life by reducing air pollution and the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Implementing a Green Policy in the workplace improves health and safety standards while saving money and lowering the costs to the environ­ment and future generations.

 

Many of the things that we consume come from the global south - resources and labour from the global south are used to produce goods, leaving the (toxic) waste for them to live with.  The net flow of resources from the South to the North means they have less to use for their own needs.  Being conscious of our consumption (where goods come from, who made them, the conditions under which they were made, the energy and water that is embedded in them and the waste they create); and reducing our consumption will allow resources to be shared more equitably between people and other living things.




[organization/company] agrees to consider the ecological impact of all activities that we undertake and plan accordingly to reduce our impact.

 

 

Addendum

ACTION PLAN

 

 

Reducing

§       Minimize consumption

q          avoid using disposable items such as plates, cups and cutlery

q          use go-cups instead of a disposable cups

q          use half (water, dishsoap, and everything else you can think of)

q          utilize electronic documents instead of printing them.  If they must be printed, format the documents margins and font to fit on less pages

q          use cloth bags instead of plastic bags

q          use tap water, not bottled water

q          remove organization/company from junk fax lists

q          print less and make digital copies available

q          buy products made with:

q         post-consumer recycled material

q         organic, biodegradable or compostable material

q         reduced chemical content

q         minimal and recyclable packaging

 

Reusing

q          Paper ~ reuse the other side of paper

q          Set up a container for reusable paper beside the printer and/or photocopier or other convenient location

 

Recycling

q          Negotiate/utilize a recycling service for the office

q          Share recycling service with others in your building

q          Recycle all items through a recycling service

q          Return beverage containers for a refund (money collected could be used for a fun activity)

 

Energy


q          Turn off the lights when not in use

q          Switch lightbulbs to compact fluorescents

q          Turn down the heat and wear a sweater

q          Install a programmable thermostat

q          Put plastic on the windows in the winter

q          Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use

q          Get an energy audit and implement recommendations for energy efficiency

q          Turn off photocopier when not in use

q          Buy Green Power

q          Purchase Webhosting provided by renewable energy

 


 

Composting

q          Set up a backyard compost and/or vermicomposting system

q          Get someone in the office to take compost home to their composter

 

Transportation

q          Walk, bike or take the bus / public transit whenever possible

q          Carpool

q          Reduce transportation by using conference calls and videoconferencing technology

q          Organize activities to reduce kilometers travelled

q          Don’t idle your vehicle for more than 10 seconds

 

Food

q          Provide meat-free, locally-produced and organic meals when possible

q          When serving meat, buy local and organic

q          Try a 100-mile diet

q          Reduce consumption of packaged foods

q          Use fair trade products such as tea, coffee, sugar and chocolate

q          Use / provide reusable containers for take out foods and beverages

q          Ensure leftover food does not go to waste (provide take out containers or ziploc bags)

q          Plant a garden or flowers if possible – encourage staff to take their breaks in the garden

q          Try xeriscaping using native species, mulch, drip irrigation

 

Sustainable Purchasing - when purchasing goods:

q          Find out where the product comes from

q          Find out what is it made of

q          Find out who made it and what their working and living conditions are like

q          Find out how will it be used

q          Find out where will it end up

q          Think about what the lifecycle of the object is from cradle to grave

q          Choose fair trade, biodegradable, 100% recycled items

q          Choose suppliers with green priorities. Ask about how they practice conser­vation before deciding to use their services

q          Choose local suppliers and small businesses

q          Choose union-made goods and services

q          Go carbon neutral: purchase high quality carbon offsets to develop renew­able energy projects like wind and solar power.

q          Ask retailers/suppliers to carry locally made, organic, fair trade, union-made, recycled, used, rainforest friendly goods

q          Read labels

 

Safety

q          Reduce/eliminate the amount of chemicals that are used in the workplace by replacing toxic cleaning products / pesticides with eco-friendly ones

q          When buying electronics, look for products that are free of PBDEs (toxic fire retardants).

 

Green Meetings

q          Using conference calls and videoconferencing technology

q          Take transit

q          Carpool

 

Monitor Your Progress

q          Form an Environment Committee

q          Add the Green Policy to the agenda of staff meetings

q          Keep track of money you save (ie purchasing less paper) and use the money for an activity

q          Set goals and celebrate when you reach them

 

 

 

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