|
THE DIRT
Energy hungry workplaces
- Australian businesses spend approximately $6 billion on energy per year1, most of which comes from the combustion of fossil fuels
- By 2010, greenhouse gases emitted by commercial buildings in Australia will double to 70 million tonnes, unless action is taken to establish sustainable energy usage2
- Energy costs and consumption can be reduced by as much as 25% in the workplace by re-evaluating energy usage and introducing new energy management practices, such as turning electrical goods off over night, and choosing energy efficient appliances
Water
- A business could save up to 30% of its water bill by reducing water consumption and using water sensibly
- For more information on water saving tips, go to http://www.livingthing.net.au/WYKD_w1.htm
Recycling
- Over 3.5 million tonnes of paper is consumed each year in Australia, with almost 9 out of every 10 sheets of office paper going straight to landfill3
- Recycling 1 tonne of paper could save 13 trees, 31 000L of water and 4 100 kWh of electricity4, yet only 11% of office paper is recycled
- It is also worth recycling electronics (such as mobile phones and computers) as well as printer cartridges and other office materials such as glass, metal, plastic and cardboard
Are you fair?
- All the little things in our work life like bad office coffee, ugly uniforms, promotional pens, golf balls and mugs not only look cheap and nasty, they are often a poor environmental and humanitarian choice.
G SPOT
Check out this weeks BLOG to see what CleanLife are doing to make their life a little greener each week.
COME CLEAN
Be the Green Office King or Queen with these suggestions....................
Say goodbye to dirty energy……..
Decrease your dependence non-renewable energy by switching to Green Power (call your local energy provider).
Be FAIR………..
Etiko have some inspiring eco corporate ideas; the fair trade way.
You can release a corporate edition of fair trade sports balls, choose a stylish Etiko fair trade business shirt or use their fair trade t-shirts and hoodies for merchandise or uniforms. Etiko can put your logo on their certified fair trade wares. Etiko. It means Ethical.
One of the ways that workplaces can easily start becoming sustainable and eco-friendly is by offering staff organic and Fairtrade tea and coffee. Fair Go Trading in Perth has a variety of options for small or large office environments - switch to Fair Trade to give producers from developing countries a better deal.
Print Green………
As far as we can ascertain The Environmental Printing Company was the first company to introduce the use of vegetable based inks and 100% recycled papers into standard print production in Australia over 15 years ago. They offer a large range of recycled papers suitable for every print application. Call Craig Campbell on (08) 9272 1569 or email greenprinting@iinet.net.au
Eat, shop and party green with green packaging…….
At Easy Living Green you can find Easy Bags and the Eatware range of compostable boxes, bowls, trays, and plates. Made from cotton and recycled plastic, the Easy Bags clip on to shopping trolleys, feature a unique closing mechanism and can carry up to 20 Kg. The Easy Bag can feature your logo, it’s great for eco marketing or as a fundraiser.
Green pack offer a sustainable and non toxic alternative for cutlery, cups, crockery and storage containers. Made from palm sheaths, sugar cane, cornstarch and PLA, you can have disposable containers that are biodegradable/compostable as well as saving exposure to - and ingestion of harmful chemicals. Now you can replace those nasty polystyrene water cups!
We can’t all be perfect, but we can all go climate neutral….
Going Climate Neutral is a simple, affordable and visible way for businesses to cut their greenhouse emissions. Climate Friendly work everyone from major investment firms, leaders in building and construction as well as small and medium businesses to go Climate Neutral. To find out what solutions they have for you visit www.climatefriendly.com
References
1 http://www.livingthing.net.au/WYKD_w2.htm
2 http://www.livingthing.net.au/WYKD_w2.htm
3 http://www.livingthing.net.au/WYKD_w4.htm
4 http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/
http://www.gsa.gov/gsa/cm_attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/CREATING%20THE%20SUSTAINABLE%20WORKPLACE%20June%2004_R2-oV6O_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf
http://www.livingthing.net.au/WYKD_w1.htm
http://www.livingthing.net.au/WYKD_w7.htm#s1
http://www.aia.org/nwsltr_pa.cfm?pagename=pa_a_20041204_workplace
| 
