Building Sustainability
Tips for a sustainable office
Implementing these actions will help to reduce your impact on the environment and help save you money.
Lights
- Switch off lights in meeting rooms and offices when not being used (It is a myth that leaving lights on saves more energy than turning them off!)
- Use daylighting where possible
Computers
- Turn off computers and lights at the end of the of the day – remember turn off before you take off
- Switch off computer monitors when going out to lunch or meetings during the day
- Turn off screen savers and activate Energy Star on your comuputer (find out how)
Office Equipment and supplies
- Use timers to turn off office equipment, such as photocopiers, and also boiling water units
- Print double sided where possible
- Think before you print
- Use paper with recycled content
- Ask your office supplier about their ‘green’ product range
- Track how many reams of paper are being used and benchmark regularly
- Purchase energy efficient appliances
- Select photocopiers and printers that have refillable toner and ink cartridges
Water
- Use extra drinking water from meetings to water plants
- Report any water leaks in the building
- Only run the dishwasher when full
Indoor Environment
- Indoor plants can help reduce stress and fatigue and also help absorb airborne substances
Waste
- Investigate options for recycling in your office (paper, plastics, tins, glass and toner cartridges)
- Reuse paper that has only been printed on one side
- Think about ways to reduce the waste generated in your office
- Compost organic material either at work or take it home
- Minimise the amount of waste you bring to work associated with your lunch and snacks
- Avoid disposable cutlery and crockery