Staying Green
Camden’s Environmental Services Fair invited us along to learn about staying green. We learnt a lot from their workshops – our favourite example of our learning is that The Office Gray’s Inn Road reduced its Carbon Footprint by 3.8% in the last year. Good fact.
But that’s not all. We know lots of the big hitters to reduce carbon emissions, which we’ve incorporated into our green roofs, but there are lots of simple ways to reduce greenhouse gases as well. And we thought we should pass the Going Green spirit on…
So. First things first, what exactly is a Carbon Footprint?
your carbon footprint = the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by your organisation.
Your business can reduce its Carbon Footprint with very little effort. Simply pick at least 2 or 3 from the below suggestions and you will make a world of difference to our planet.
Electronics
Computers
A computer left on overnight uses 1Kwh of electricity; if 1,000 people turned off their computers when they went home they would save 180 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. On average an office wastes £6000 each year by leaving equipment on over weekends and bank holidays.
Laptops
If you are replacing a computer, consider a laptop as they are much more energy sufficient
Kettles
Electric kettles are in frequent use and consume surprisingly large amounts of electricity. Please use the hydro taps provided for you when possible, the kettles should only be a Plan B.
Paper
Junk Mail
Send it back in the prepaid envelopes and ask to be removed from the database-trees have been cut down to create this waste. For your own marketing- why not use e-mail?
Invoices
Consider using electronic invoices instead of paper: you can create your invoices as PDF documents and email them to customers.
Filing/Storage
Question whether you need to continue filing and storing paper copies of letters, invoices, reports and suchlike. Instead of hard copies, back up electronic versions daily onto external hard drives or CDs. If you do need paper files or folders, buy recycled if possible.
Recycling
Use the bins provided in the kitchens for your recycling. If you produce a lot of paper waste you can get your own recycling bin for your office. First Mille collect the recycling sacks ever week and can also provide confidential waste sacks or electronic waste sack for your old electronic equipment
Deliveries
Where possible change your ordering so that you order occasional large consignments rather than ordering small amounts when you need them. The fewer number of deliveries, the smaller your carbon footprint
Travel
Cycling
Bikes are a great way to get to work- they are cheap, carbon neutral, easy to park, often quicker than cars, and good exercise. If not- buses are one of the most energy-efficient ways to travel.
Cabs
if you must take one book through us! We use Ecoigo Car Services who are committed to combating global climate change.
Lifts
Don’t waste electricity- use the stairs! Reduce your carbon footprint and get fitter in the process.
Lift Sharing
If you must take the lift, travel with someone else. Don’t take an empty lift or wait for others to make their journeys first.
Air Travel
Consider the train when travelling to meetings abroad. Air travel is particularly damaging to the environment, adding much more CO2 to the atmosphere than any other form of travel. Now we have a hgh speed train link to to Europe, trains give a fast and environmentally friendly way of travelling, are as quick as flying in many cases, drop you in the middle of a city, and your carbon footprint will be about ten times smaller if you travel by train rather than plane. When planning conference, choose a destination that you can reach by train. ( and think trains when you plan your holiday too).
Gas/Heating/Lighting
Lights
We use energy-efficient light bulbs in all of our buildings which last 12 times longer than normal bulbs and use 1/5 of the energy. Encourage your staff to use natural light when available and make it clear that the last to leave is responsible for switching the lights off.
Heating
Heating your office during the winter months is a large proportion of your overall energy use, here are a few simple actions you can take in your office to reduce your energy use and therefore your carbon footprint:
1| simply turn your radiators down! turning then down 1% will make a 10% difference.
2| The radiators are all on automatic timers to suit business hours- if you are leaving early or will be out of the office for a day turn them right down to 0.
Air-Conditioning
Running an air-conditioning unit ads on average about 50% to energy bills, air-conditioning is extremely energy hungry and increases your greenhouse gas emissions drastically.
General
Plants
Have plants in your office to ‘green’ your workplace. Plants are very effective at reducing air pollution in enclosed spaces.
Go Vege!
14% of the worlds greenhouse gases come from meat industry. Going vegetarian is the easiest and quickest way to lower your carbon footprint, reduce pollution, and save energy and water.
Make your office greener this winter and join us in the fight against climate change. It’s so easy yet it feels so good.
The Office Team