MY ENVIRONMENT AT WORK

Do you ever feel like your workplace is wasting a lot of energy and materials? Many people conserve energy and cut back on waste at home, and feel frustrated that they can't do the same at work. Here are a few common issues and some suggestions on how to address the problem.

Lights Out!

Why do so many office buildings leave the lights on all night? It's a waste of money and energy and it contributes to air pollution. There's an old myth that leaving the lights on is "easier on the system" - this is completely false.

The problem isn't only at night. Have you ever been working on a bright sunny day and seen someone close the blinds and turn on the lights? Natural light is free and creates no pollution. So go ahead and let the sunshine in.

Treat empty rooms at work the same as you would at home - turn off the lights in empty storage rooms, unused board rooms, etc.

If you want the whole office to get involved, set a corporate challenge. Get the boss to commit that any money savings as a result of energy reduction will get put toward the year-end holiday party, or better yet, to bonuses!

Efficiency in the Office

We run our computers eight, ten or even twelve hours a day. Over a whole year, that adds up to a lot of energy. And remember, electricity generation causes air pollution.

So when it's time to buy or lease new electronic equipment, consider the real cost of running the new machines. Energy efficient models could end up reducing your hydro bill by hundreds or thousands of dollars. The Energy Star symbol for energy efficiency is a good indicator to watch for.

While virtually all computers have a 'sleep' mode, it's still the better decision to shut them off at night than to run them 24 hours a day. Copiers and other machines that use heat to operate should be shut off at the end of the day; it usually takes less than five minutes for them to warm up again in the morning.

The Paperless Office?

What a joke. Most offices use more paper than ever before. A box of office paper weighs more than 20 kg., and a typical office can use up many boxes in a week. Here are a couple of considerations:

• Are you buying recycled paper? In the past few years, the relative cost of paper with a high recycled content has come down a lot. Recycled paper makes use of a renewable resource without sacrificing cost or quality.


• Are you recycling paper? Does your office have paper only bins? There are many shredding and waste collection companies that will ensure your paper goes to recycling, not to a landfill.


• Are you printing out every email? If you really need to keep a paper trail, just print the information you really need. Wasting a whole sheet of paper for an email that says "OK thanks" just doesn't make sense.


• Are you printing double-sided? Pretty much every computer and printer can do that automatically. It's no more work for you and it cuts your paper consumption in half.


• Do you ever get a copy of a presentation that has about five words per slide? Any computer and printer can create multiple slides per page. Better yet, encourage the presenter to use fewer slides. You'll use less paper and maybe even have shorter meetings.

Where are the Stairs?

The stairwell shouldn't be a secret passage. If you can climb one or two flights of stairs comfortably, you're getting free exercise and saving energy. Consider this comparison:

• Elevators: Crowded. Slow. Arrive unpredictably. Many bother you with advertisements. Nobody ever looks at each other.


• Stairs: Fast. Not crowded. Quiet. Other stair users say hello.

Recycling at Work

When we're at home, we separate our waste and use blue boxes. At work, many buildings still don't offer source separation. Ask your manager to provide this service at work. If your company is leasing space, ask the building managers to offer source separation.

Make sure it's done right! Even if you separate the paper, metals and plastics at work, some waste haulers will just dump it all back into the same truck. Fortunately, there are many haulers that are dedicated to recycling and waste diversion, so it's important to hire the right company.

Old Office Equipment

Everybody in the office wants a new chair. Or desk. Or lamp. The problem is that throwing out old furniture sends many kilograms of waste to your local landfill. Some of that waste, like molded plastic and foam cushions, will sit in that landfill for decades or centuries before it breaks down.

One solution is good for you and the environment. Buy better stuff. Don't buy the cheap chair you'll have to replace in two years. That will help keep waste out of landfills.

You can also help by choosing office furniture makers who are committed to environmentally friendly practices. Look for the "Ontario's Environmental Leaders" designation.

There are services that will re-sell used office equipment or find a charitable home for it. And remember, anything with wires or circuits in it is probably worth something to an electronics recycler or scrap metal dealer.

Clean Commuting

Traffic is terrible. Parking is expensive. And cars pollute, especially when they're idling in stop-and-go traffic. In fact, if you drive just four kilometres in the morning, your car can produce as much as a kilogram of greenhouse gases and smog pollutants. So consider the advantages of other commuting:

• You can walk to work and talk safely on your mobile phone


• Unlike driving, you can read and listen to your MP3 player on public transit


• In some cities, employers can get a bulk discount for employees on monthly passes


• Cycling to work is an excellent way to stay in shape. You'll also save money and produce no emissions.