Excerpt / Summary As more and more about the sustainability movement is presented in the mainstream media, it is apparent that the majority of the press coverage relates to large corporations and their massive initiatives to reduce or eliminate huge carbon footprints.
With the annual global observance of Earth Day set for April 22, 2012, however, it is a good time to remember that environmental change can begin with an individual employee and not just at the corporate level.
In other words, small steps can still make a difference, so it’s important to encourage all workers to take the initiative when it comes to sustainable practices. Here are a few ways to enact a grass-roots sustainability campaign at any rung of the corporate ladder:
1) Place bins alongside printers and copy machines throughout the company to collect unwanted documents or copier mistakes for use as scratch paper. Label the bins with a clever quip like, “Don’t make another mistake by throwing away your first mistake!”
2) Encourage employees to power down their computers at night and turn off lights and equipment when not in use. By doing this, an events and seminar company cut its need to replace projector bulbs in half over the course of a year.
3) Place recycling receptacles throughout the building or at least in break rooms. Initial efforts might focus on separating cans and bottles from other trash.
4) Consider the use of alternative transportation on a regular schedule. This doesn’t necessarily mean, “Get a hybrid car!” It could involve taking public transportation or carpooling once a week.
5) Research ways to increase paperless communication. Meanwhile, set printer settings to double-sided printing to reduce paper usage.
6) Consider installing a water filtration system rather than using water coolers or bottled water, which could cut down on the use of plastic bottles.
7) If possible, provide an insulated mug as a welcome gift to new employees in order to limit the need for disposable cups. Also, consider recommending that employees bring silverware rather than having to stock break rooms with plastic utensils.
8) Boost company wide awareness by working with the Human Resources department to develop a series of communications and projects related to conservation. It could involve instituting an email series or digital newsletter, forming a committee to address broader concerns or creating a sustainability team that identifies and implements large-scale innovations.
9) Establish a weekly lunchtime market, encouraging employees to bring items to trade or donate such as books or reusable lunch bags. It could be as simple as displaying items on a table or uploading images and descriptions to a message board on the company Intranet. Keep money out of the equation and focus on trades and donations instead.
10) Create a small garden on the company’s campus where employees can grow flowers and vegetables. Add nutrients to the soil by using leftover food scraps from the cafeteria and coffee grounds from the break rooms for compost.
Remember, one of the lessons of the Earth Day movement, which has grown enormously since its beginnings in 1970, is that a devoted few taking small steps can produce big results. It’s true in business and it’s also true in the arena of sustainability. |