I work for a LARGE company and my department would like ideas on being more "green" beyond recycling.

Question

I have been reading many of the answers for going "green" but quite often they don't apply - we can't change light bulbs or the thermostat temperature and of course we already have MANY recycling cans around for both paper and cans/bottles. Any suggestions would be great! We want to put up a few posters around the office with suggestions as well as add them to our internal web page.

Thanks!!!
~M

have been reading many of the answers for going "green" but quite often they don't apply - we can't change light bulbs or the thermostat temperature and of course we already have MANY recycling cans around for both paper and cans/bottles. Any suggestions would be great! We want to put up a few posters around the office with suggestions as well as add them to our internal web page.

Added detail 7/19/07...

People are just NOT getting this...my company (a global leader with numerous buildings locally and worldwide) already has the big stuff in place - energy efficient light bulbs, places for bikes (although not very helpful with company dress-code), solar panels, thermostats controlled, lights off at night, etc...what I am asking for are "DEPARTMENTAL" suggestions not company-wide ones.

Answer 1

Departmental ideas ~
Turning off computers & electronics at night
Turning waste paper into scratch paper
Using reusable paper clips instead of staples
Dump coffee grounds into a compost bucket which can be spread around the landscape shrubs out side
Bringing reusable coffee mugs from home instead of buying paper ones
Conserving water in the restrooms by turning off the faucet while sudsing up
Switching to biodegradable trash can liners and toilet tissue
Using refillable ink pens and mechanical pencils instead of disposable
Use laser jet printers instead of ink jet

Answer 2

In the company I used to work for, the company made it's own greenbelt. We also made a wetland area and encouraged birds to use it. Maybe your department could come up with an idea on how to make your grounds a better place. Set up a small area as a butterfly garden or hummingbird garden. There are lots of little ways to change things that can make people think if the big company can do it, why can't I do it in my backyard. Have a garden design contest or something and then have winner announced. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

It sounds like you're in a large office building. You could talk to the oweners of the building and request that they change the lights/ambient temp. Maybe you could talk to personnel in other companies in the building and a group of you could bring the attention to the building owners.
Does the building use minimal light when the work day is over? Is the roof of the building painted white instead of black (to reflect visible light rather than infrared radiation)? Are there solar panals on the roof? These are all things to convince the building owners of. Also consider offsetting your carbon emmisions by purchasing green energy (even if you don't get energy from the green company, you can still do this).

Good Luck

Answer 4

Oui Madam there are tons of things that you can do in order to be more environmentaly friendly. Your company can save electricity by using flourescent lights. You can have low flush toilets installed. The foliage outside can be replaced with stuff that doesn't need near as much water. You can replace the grass with artificial grass. Saves water and gasoline since lawn mowers needs gas. Your co-workers can organize a carpool. And your co-workers can take mass transit or a hybrid car to work.

Also use recycled paper at work. Don't use disposable cups, plates, and spoons. Also you can get photovoltic power cells installed on your business roof in order to generate clean energy from the sun.

Answer 5

I think the way people eat is more important than recycling. Your department could start something similiar to the potluck, first maybe onl monthly or for holidays working up to weekly. I everyone brings a dish of something they really like, everyone will have something to eat. The food should be homemade, and not takeout or storebought. This way your department will cut back on waste from carryout type foods. This might also become a recipe sharing time.

Answer 6

Plug an XPower Energy Saver into a wall outlet. It recycles wasted electricity & cleans the lines.
It advertises to cut the electric bill by 25%; but we had closer to 50% savings (noticed it immediately). Came with a 6 month money back guarentee.
$250.00 each. and the recommendation is two XPowers for each meter. Works for the entire building.

Answer 7

Switching to laptops rather than desktops will save electricity as well allow people an alternate work schedule. If people can either work fewer but longer days (for example, 4 days of 10 hours) they will save a day's commute each week...few cars on the road means less time idling in traffic and wasting gas.

Answer 8

You can start by not hanging those posters....

Seriously though, in an office environment, your number one concern should be conserving supplies. Use e-mail or word of mouth instead of passing out flyers and putting up posters. Not only is it better for the company's bottom line, it's better for the environment.

Answer 9

You may suggest to your company that they have the electric company come in and check things out. Sometimes the changes that can be made will save a lot of money in the long run.

Answer 10

Going beyond Green - you would probable need to change the way the environment looks around you. More plants and gardens or maybe a color change on the office walls (something more earth tone).