Green Office Program

Engaging staff in environmental

management solutions
 From ripple to wave
• Huge waves begin from a tiny ripple out in the
deep ocean
• As the ripple travels towards the coast, it
gradually grows…
• Waves eventually hit the shore, shaping and
changing the coastline
 We can be ripples!
• By making small changes to the way we operate
• By encouraging and inspiring others to do the
same
• By growing our ideas

WE CAN HAVE AN IMPACT!

 Why have a GOP?
• ECU emits 23,338 tonnes of CO2 every year
from energy utilities. That’s the same emissions
as 7,800 cars!
• ECU consumes 270,000 KL of water each year
in buildings and on grounds. That’s enough to fill
270 Olympic swimming pools!
• ECU offices used approx 34,600 reams of paper
last year, the equivalent of 1,153 trees!*
 Program Aims
1. Become a University-wide, permanent program
2. Raise awareness and empower staff to create
change
3. Change staff behaviour
4. Reduce our environmental impact
5. Measure the environmental progress of the
University
 An ECU Green Office:
1. Minimises the consumption of resources- avoid
or reduce consumption where possible
2. Minimises waste produced- reuse or recycle
where possible
3. Thinks ‘green’ when purchasing- buys recycled
or reusable material, life cycles
4. Educates and engages staff in environmental
management initiatives
 Activities of Reps
• Involves staff from across the University making
small changes to everyday work practices to
reduce our environmental impact. Reps:
– Undertake environmental assessments
– Establish greener operating systems
– Draw attention to environmental issues within
your work area
– Promote/communicate initiatives such as
recycling, green purchasing and energy and
water conservation to other staff members
• Examples include:
– Ensuring printers and copiers are defaulted to
print duplex
– Encouraging staff to turn off lighting overnight
– Encouraging ‘green’ purchasing practices
– Facilitating office recycling
– Implementing paper reduction strategies
– Developing online filing systems
– Use of laptops and projectors in meetings
– Printer/copier training
 4 Steps to Success
1. Undertake Office Assessment using the
Checklist
2. Develop and implement an Action Plan using
the Green Office Manual
3. Communicate your successes, for example
using the Scorecard
4. Aim for continual improvement through ongoing
Training
 Green Office Checklist
• Initial walk-through assessment to help you
identify areas to prioritise for environmental
action
– Energy (computers, lighting)
– Water (leaks, staff use of kitchenette)
– Purchasing (recycled paper, stationary)
– Waste and Recycling (desk side paper bins)
– Kitchenettes (reusable crockery)
 Green Office Action Plan
• Once you have filled out the Checklist, use the
Action Plan to help you plan and prioritise
strategies for your office area.
• You can use the Green Office Manual as a tool
to help you with these strategies.
• NB: Sending out the odd email just wont work. You will need to
adopt a consistent, staged approach.
 Action Plan Cont…
• Before implementing your Action Plan, try to
measure and record the current situation. For
example,
– How many reams of paper are currently being
used per month?
– How much paper is currently being recycled?
– How many paper recycling boxes are there in
your area?
 Assistance Provided!
• The Environment Officer can provide assistance,
tools, resources and advice to help you make
these changes, such as:
– Email templates
– Facts and stats
– Stickers and posters
– Staff Questionnaires
– Help developing Action Plans
– Advice on implementing office initiatives
 Green Office Manual
• Comprises many useful hints and tips to help
you in devising strategies for your office
environment. Available online at:
www.ecu.edu.au/fas/ecoecu
– Energy Conservation
– Water Conservation
– Waste and Recycling
– Transport
– Purchasing
– Paper Reduction
 Communicating Successes
• The Scorecard is being developed as a tool to
track and communicate our environmental
progress.
• It will be based upon the Checklist and your
Action Plans and will aim to measure progress
from our baseline.
• It’s a WIP- I welcome your input or feedback!
 Communications Cont.
• Other ways in which you can communicate your
Green Office initiatives include:
– Holding a morning tea
– Email staff about initiatives
– Raise changes at staff general meetings
– Case Studies section on the EcoECU website
– At Green Office Rep meetings
• This is a very important part of the role of Reps!
 Formal Training
• Currently working to develop formal training
sessions:
– Energy conservation (computer, copier power
management, lighting systems etc)
– Paper reduction (electronic filing, reading on
screen etc)
– Green Purchasing (general purchasing
guidelines, why and how to ‘buy green’)
 Informal sessions
• Opportunities to share with other Reps your
success stories!
• Conversation Cafes
• Guest speakers
• Workshops on particular environmental
strategies (ie: implementing office recycling)
• Individual sessions with Reps
 Other resources
• A list of useful resources are available at:
www.ecu.edu.au/fas/ecoecu under the Green
Office or Resources webpages
 Line Manager Approval
• Make sure that you get approval from you line
manager via an email and forward to
environment@ecu.edu.au.
• This ensures they are aware of the initiative and
will support your work for the Program!
• A copy of a Letter to Supervisors can be emailed
to you if you require one.
 Next Steps
1. Gain supervisor support. (Letter available)
2. Complete Checklist for your office area
3. Complete Action Plan
4. Email both to environment@ecu.edu.au
5. Hold an introductory morning tea
6. Implement Action Plan - don’t hesitate to
contact the EO with any queries!
7. Next Meeting- 12th June. An opportunity to
discuss Action Plans and any issues.
 Questions?

www.ecu.edu.au/fas/ecoecu