Form A Green Committee

Affordability

Altering workplace behavior can be challenging and changes take time. Create a green committee to engage staff in the process from the beginning. The strategies in this guide for establishing a waste and recycling program can help make the process easier and faster.

Cost savings

Through waste reduction and other green initiatives, your green committee can help your business reduce costs. One large Canadian retailer found that diverting 92% of its waste from landfill saved it $216,000 in a year.

Environmental considerations

According to the Recycling Council of British Columbia’s Waste-o-Meter, millions of tonnes of garbage are sent to B.C. landfills each year. In the Lower Mainland alone, commercial and industrial operations account for more than 30% of all of the solid waste generated and one-third of recycled materials.

What you need to know

• Get support of senior management for your green committee. Invite a senior management representative to sit on the committee.
• Submit a proposal to management showing how investing staff time in the program will pay off in reduced costs down the road. Greening your business will contribute to employee morale and a healthier work environment, as well as reduced waste management costs.
• Assess your office’s use of paper and other equipment and supplies. Evaluate each aspect of office life, including break times, purchasing practices (electronic equipment, furniture, supplies), cleaning habits, transportation and commuting behaviors.
• Assign a suitable person on the committee to be the recycling coordinator. This person will track recycling efforts, research new waste reduction opportunities and ensure recycling is maximized. The recycling coordinator should be enthusiastic, knowledgeable about recycling and waste reduction practices, a good communicator and creative with an eye for detail.
• Develop a name and logo for your office greening program. Use these to identify communications and promote the program.
• Green committee activity may be on a voluntary basis so make a point of recognizing and providing incentives to those involved.
• Post notices in key areas of the office to educate staff on green policies such as double-sided printing using non-disposable mugs and cups and using air conditioning and heat in moderation.

Taking it further

Educate and encourage colleagues to adopt green office practices:

• Develop a noticeboard for your green office program where you can post helpful hints, new policies and progress reports. Chart your progress, making sure to emphasize your successes, such as the number of trees spared or the amount of energy and water savings.
• If your office creates a regular newsletter, be sure to include regular notes and articles about your green program. If it is a printed newsletter, encourage those producing it to use 100% post-consumer recycled paper or to shift to an e-newsletter.
• Make a “green orientation” tour a regular part of staff training for new employees so they're familiar with the environmental policies and practices your office endorses.
• Conduct regular information sessions for employees about improving their environmental impact. Sessions might include: training IT managers how to purchase energy-efficient equipment; educating administrative support staff on paper-conserving practices; alerting custodial staff about the hazards of various cleaning supplies; guidance for all staff on proper recycling procedures.
• Bring in outside experts for lunch ‘n’ learns or specific training sessions.
• Provide a way for staff to give feedback and suggestions to your green team. This could consist of a basic suggestion box in a common room or a green hotline, available either through email or the telephone. It should be monitored regularly and all ideas should be discussed in regular meetings.

The above information and more information about forming a green team and greening all aspects of your work and home life can be found on the Green Your! website.

FAQ

How can I get staff interested in environmental impacts and participating on the green committee?
Green initiatives in the workplace are often embraced by environmental leaders within the organization. Identify who those environmental leaders are and invite them to participate. Talk to people about the importance and rewards of implementing more environmentally friendly business practices. Once environmental leaders have been identified, it is important that they are empowered to act. Make sure to recognize their efforts. If you still cannot find someone to be a leader, do it yourself. Others will follow.