What are your tips for a green office?

[Simply Business]

Your office is likely to be the best place to start when looking for potential energy savings. My colleague Josh Hall mentions some green tips in his latest article http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2010/07/2010-07-05-7-tips-for-a-green-office/

But what are your tips to make your office greener? Let me know. The best tips will be featured on our website in the next few weeks.

 

Your office is likely to be the best place to start when looking for potential energy savings. My colleague Josh Hall mentions some green tips in his latest article http://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/knowledge/articles/2010/07/2010-07-05-7-tips-for-a-green-office/

But what are your tips to make your office greener? Let me know. The best tips will be featured on our website in the next few weeks.

Use LED bulbs in order to;

- Reduce your energy consumption and bills by up to 90%
- Dramatically reduce your carbon footprint
- Our LED's contain no Mercury (all other bulbs contain mercury and end up in land fill sites)
- Last for 20 years + so you never have to replace a bulb.
- Produces a better and more focused quality of light
- Our LED's look just like standard incandescent bulbs and halogen spots.
- Fit straight into existing fittings
- Our LED's are 50% cheaper with up to 70% more performance than leading brand names.

Hope that helps

Thanks

Chris

 

[toastking]

Put up whiteboards, had them in an office I worked in about 3 years ago and then people can leave notes for each other without using paper. Saves a lot of paper!

 

[jncc]

Put up whiteboards, had them in an office I worked in about 3 years ago and then people can leave notes for each other without using paper. Saves a lot of paper!

I wonder how much paper must be saved before it balances the environmental impact of producing the white board, though.

It's hard to calculate such things, even if anyone cared to try.

 

[Simply Business]

Great tips.
LED lighting is a good power saver.
In terms of the Whiteboard, I think if you can buy eco friendly markers, the whiteboard is a great way of saving paper.
An an extra tip I was thinking of standby killers on all pc workstations in a office.

 

[Sustainable Marine]

I wonder how much paper must be saved before it balances the environmental impact of producing the white board, though.

It is not just the production of the paper though, it is all that goes with it. The shredders, the packaging, the waste handling etc etc.

Also old kitchen appliances make good metal white boards, not the whole thing obviously - just the sides.

 

[jncc]

It is not just the production of the paper though, it is all that goes with it. The shredders, the packaging, the waste handling etc etc.

I still have no idea where the balance lies, though...

Also old kitchen appliances make good metal white boards, not the whole thing obviously - just the sides.

nice idea!

 

[Sustainable Marine]

I still have no idea where the balance lies, though...

Me neither

 

[toastking]

Me neither admittedly, but it just seemed to save a lot of paper, as people would often use at least 1 piece a day for handovers, 300 odd a year that is, then another piece or two per person leaving notes for other people, but I guess this was more of a saver before computerised notes were so widely used.

 

[Less_En]

Hello everyone,

interesting discussion here.

I think that most of the things we can do in our workplaces are really obvious (e.g. switching off computers during the lunch break and when we go home), but at the same time it's all about creating a culture of saving energy with our co-workers.

Do you agree?

 

[Sustainable Marine]

... it's all about creating a culture of saving energy with our co-workers.

The John Lewis group have a lovely saying if one of them leaves a light on needlessly - "Oi thats my bonus your burning"

 

The John Lewis group have a lovely saying if one of them leaves a light on needlessly - "Oi thats my bonus your burning"

I've been dealing with the John Lewis group for the past month and i have to say i was surprised with their attitudes and thoughts towards eco products. Really refreshing and open minded and not at all how i thought a company like this would act. Completely different from the people i met at Asda.

 

[Less_En]

nice to know about corporate cultures out there that actually encourage their employees to care about saving energy.

do you have interesting case studies to pass along?

I'm especially looking for cases when people (facilities managers, or employees) made a difference in the office's expenses for energy consumption.

we just launched a blog (you can follow the link in my signature if you're curious) about these topics, that's why I'm asking.

I'd really like to interview people and see where and how they made a difference.

 

[neha1986]

By using LED lighting you can save power.
With the eco friendly markers whiteboard is a great way of saving paper.

 

nice to know about corporate cultures out there that actually encourage their employees to care about saving energy.

do you have interesting case studies to pass along?

I'm especially looking for cases when people (facilities managers, or employees) made a difference in the office's expenses for energy consumption.

we just launched a blog (you can follow the link in my signature if you're curious) about these topics, that's why I'm asking.

I'd really like to interview people and see where and how they made a difference.

No cases for you yet, but with a bit of luck, (and permission) i could have some very good case studies of some of the biggest brands and most influential business people switching their lighting products very soon

The Head of Royal Institute of Architects is so impressed with my products that he is using his considerable influence in business and politics to get me and my products in front of the right people.

 

[Less_En]

No cases for you yet, but with a bit of luck, (and permission) i could have some very good case studies of some of the biggest brands and most influential business people switching their lighting products very soon

The Head of Royal Institute of Architects is so impressed with my products that he is using his considerable influence in business and politics to get me and my products in front of the right people.

wow, that's great for you!

and also, great for me if you have interesting cases ... do let me know!

what exactly are your products/what do you do? If you're interested, we could do an interview (nothing too aggravating, just 3-4 questions by email) about ways to reduce energy consumption in offices/commercial buildings...

you'd get a link to your website attached to the blog post...

unfortunately we can't really promote products, since it's a not for profit initiative...

 

[Cornish Steve]

Want a green office? Go with Dulux.

Seriously, though, if it saves money and performs as well as other products, go for it. Otherwise, wait for prices to drop and for technology to improve. There's no point jumping on a bandwagon if it adds to your costs and interferes with your business.

 

wow, that's great for you!

and also, great for me if you have interesting cases ... do let me know!

what exactly are your products/what do you do? If you're interested, we could do an interview (nothing too aggravating, just 3-4 questions by email) about ways to reduce energy consumption in offices/commercial buildings...

you'd get a link to your website attached to the blog post...

unfortunately we can't really promote products, since it's a not for profit initiative...

The business i have that relates to this is LED lightning.
If you have any questions for me i'd be happy to answer them, although from your point of view, i might be able to answer a lot better several months down the line.

 

[Less_En]

The business i have that relates to this is LED lightning.
If you have any questions for me i'd be happy to answer them, although from your point of view, i might be able to answer a lot better several months down the line.

cool... let me know what happens then

 

[Simply Business]

I'm happy so much ideas and opinions were posted in this discussion.

Less_En: I'm impressed with the energy saving map on your site! Nice idea. At Simply Business we've already made some energy saving decisions.

If you want to ask one of our colleagues some questions about our green office plans, go ahead. I'll introduce you in our company.

Jasper Martens

 

[Less_En]

I'm happy so much ideas and opinions were posted in this discussion.

Less_En: I'm impressed with the energy saving map on your site! Nice idea. At Simply Business we've already made some energy saving decisions.

If you want to ask one of our colleagues some questions about our green office plans, go ahead. I'll introduce you in our company.

Jasper Martens

cool! sending you a pm right now

ps: glad you like our map!

 

[Tork UK]

Yeah, I definitely agree that the office is the best place to start when trying to be more eco-friendly. There is also the added benefit that it's good for business to be part of the 'green revolution'. Recycling is a big one, be it recycling office waste or using new products that have been recycled. Tork, the company I work with, are all about sustainability and eco friendly design and are developing hygiene solutions and products that utilise eco-friendly resources that limit their impact on the environment and maximise their benefits to businesses.

Does anyone here already use eco-friendly hygiene products in the office?

Chris

 

[utilitiessavings]

At Utilities Savings we generally advise people to do the things that cost nothing to implement...

1. Turn off lights/computers when not needed
2. Unplug any unneeded devices, even if they are switched off
3. Turn the thermostat down 1 degree
4. Wear a jumper
5. Don't have air con on too high
6. Don't put too much water in the kettle

We all know these.

These really are the most effective - many companies find they can reduce their energy consumption significantly by implementing these effectively, which then creates a culture of awareness that will better facilitate the implementation of any new energy saving devices like better lighting etc. in the future.

Regards, Andrew - Utilities Savings

 

[Tork UK]

Thanks for the info utilitiessavings..

It's very true that the simplest things are often the most effective. If everyone followed the simple steps, the planet would be in much better shape!


Chris

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Chris,what did you base your comment on?

 

[Tork UK]

Well, when it comes to the general population many people want to help reduce the environmental impact they have on the planet but not many people are going to be willing or able to take big steps like installing solar panels or giving up the car to take public transport instead. The majority of people are able to do smaller things like recycle their waste, use energy efficient light bulbs, buy environmentally-friendly products etc. I read an article that said that if every American who receives a morning paper recycled their paper for just one day it would save 41,000 trees and this is just on example of what could happen in one country on one day. So, yes, I do think that if everyone does their bit, small things can effect a big change!
Chris

 

[vvaannmmaann]

No scientific studies then?

 

[Tork UK]

It just seems to be common sense to me. If people use less energy, recycle more and waste less resources (ie turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, turning the tv off as opposed to just leaving it on standby) the planet will benefit. Do you think otherwise?

Chris

 

[utilitiessavings]

You're right - though there is more and more doubt over the true extent of global warming and the possible motives behind exaggerating it or even making it up - can it do any harm to use less resources? At Utilities Savings we are split in our opinions - but we all agree that saving energy, paper, water etc can only ever be a good thing, so while the debate is of course very important, it makes no difference in the end really. Be efficient with anything you use, because it's just pointless not to be.

 

[Tork UK]

I agree utilitiessavings. Whatever the benefit to the environment is (and there's no denying that recycling paper saves trees) it doesn't make sense to use more when less will do the job. It saves money as well. It's win-win!

Chris

 

[Doug]

One are we have helped our clients is reducing the amount of paper that they work with. There is technology out there that effecitively removes the need for you to send any paper to a client or supplier. Not only does this reduce reliance on paper for communication it also saves the postage and effort involved in sending paper out.

Many don't realise that you can keep electronic copies of documents now for tax purposes, this can reduce the amount of paper printed and stored.

Businesses that are going "paperless" are able to heavily reduce their reliance on paper, with many only using paper that comes in to their business from suppliers or customers. All documents that they produce are electronic, and if not, the paper is scanned in and then shredded and recycled.

I doubt paper will disappear in the short term, but adopting strategies to reduce the use of it can only be good for the environment, and the bottom line!

 

[Doug]

i forgot to mention that, a lot of the PC manufacturers now offer eco friendly power supplies that can reduce the power needed to use a laptop by something like 80%

not exactly sure on the numbers but it reduces consumption heavily. As far as I know they are slighlty more expensive than the more traditional power supplies (£15 or so) but will save a fair amount of energy!

 

[Cornish Steve]

Turn the thermostat down 1 degree

1. Wear a jumper
2. Don't have air con on too high

Within reason! Yes, some offices are too cold because the air conditioning is too fierce, but it becomes a big distraction when employees are sweating like crazy. And I'll never work in an office where I need to wear a jumper! Cold hands and feet? Why? This is the 21st century, not the Middle Ages. :|

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Tipping with rain this morning and quite cold in sunny west Kent.I went into our local Waitrose,air-con was on.All the staff had their "warm" clothing on.
I mentioned it to the girl on the till.
Head office decide when it gets turned on and off was her response.
What can you do?

 

[JoeHa]

If you have or are about to launch a website, you could consider green web-hosting.

 

[Rickytaylor]

That is nice article. It is detailed and focused.

 

[utilitiessavings]

Within reason! Yes, some offices are too cold because the air conditioning is too fierce, but it becomes a big distraction when employees are sweating like crazy. And I'll never work in an office where I need to wear a jumper! Cold hands and feet? Why? This is the 21st century, not the Middle Ages. :|

Of course, common sense should always prevail. Just don't let your staff walk around in a t-shirt with the heating on full blast in the middle of winter! It's more about making sure you monitor these things, and are aware that 1 degree difference in air-con or heating really does add up over the year.

 

[utilitiessavings]

Tipping with rain this morning and quite cold in sunny west Kent.I went into our local Waitrose,air-con was on.All the staff had their "warm" clothing on.
I mentioned it to the girl on the till.
Head office decide when it gets turned on and off was her response.
What can you do?

They've probably worked out people buy more when they're cold or something like that. Retail is a funny sector.

 

[eFIG]

Great article Jappie, thanks for sharing.

There are some good ideas coming out in this thread to make an office more green, a lot of them covering money saving ideas as well as helping the environment. I think people can sometimes be put off by the mention of 'green' because it may seem sort of 'fluffy' and irrelavant to the business, but being green really can have financial benefits.

One way we make our office more green is quite literally to make it green - we add plants! Research has shown that just one plant can make an office healthier, happier and more productive by removing toxins from the air and regulating the temperature (efig dot eu dot com/benefits-of-plants), thus saving the company money on dehumidifiers and on money lost through employee absenteeism.

Plus plants are a great way to visually prove a company's green credentials - which looks great to customers.

 

[Pattyclean]

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