The Green Training Company

Nothing is more effective at bringing on change than an inspired, and well informed workforce. Aspiring to sustainability together is also a powerful tool in enhancing workplace culture. Set aside a lunchtime to have a screening of an 'Inconvenient Truth', assign one person to deliver an environmental 'tip of the week' presentation, do an online training course,  start a Green Team or give out chocolates for environmentally responsible behaviour. The green movement will take on a life of its own once the staff are committed. 

Where is your money going? Green purchasing is less about buying recycled paper and more about questioning why you really need those items, if there's an alternative like renting, or what the manufacturer is really doing to help protect the environment. A few simple questions to suppliers go a long way in creating demand for more sustainable products. 

Of course choosing recycled paper is a good idea! 100% post consumer recycled paper made in Australia is even better.

Organise a car pool amongst staff. Hand out public transport tickets for the year for travel to and from home, meetings, clients and site visits. Offer undercover bike storage and a shower for riders. Negotiate a 4 day work week for employees with a long commute. Use technology to reduce air travel or consider a work fleet of smart cars. Transport emissions are ever increasing and good behaviour instilled at the office can filter into homes and have a far reaching impact. 

If Earth Hour taught us anything it was that there are huge numbers of lights on every night that needn't be. Over lighting in cities has caused serious problems for animals in the vicinty. Their sleep patterns are disturbed and they are easily confused. Make every night an earth night and switch off lights, computers, printers, airconditioners, kettles and dishwashers. Make it the responsibility of the last one out the door. The first one in can watch out for responsible behaviour and reward it. 

Our workplace has frequent debates about what is recyclable, what is reuasable, what is compostable and what gets thrown out. Recent debate has been around plastic long life milk cartons. The camps were recycled versus reuse. The recyling camp felt justified due to the mobius strip on the container. The reuse camp decided there was a better alternative and proceeded to make planters. We now have an exquisite green wall of plants growing in old milk cartons. Not only did we avoid sending out unnecessary recycling, we created something beautiful which also helped the environment (some plants can help clean up indoor air quality). Think carefully before you throw anything out. Aim for zero waste to landfill.

Your influence can be limitless if you tell your staff, your family, your friends and your clients what you're doing. Include a statement about emissions saved on their behalf. Let them know that you prefer your documents aren't printed and email everything. Your efforts can create a positive movement. Reporting back to your clients on your resource consumption will also ensure you are legislation ready and operating transparently. 

Make a start! Even the smallest action can have a huge impact and start you on a journey to environmental heroism! Remember, if every office worker in Australia saved just 1 staple a day that would amount to 88.3 tonnes of steel saved a year!