Greening the Office

Do you cringe when your co-workers print unnecessary documents, forget to turn off their lights, or refuse to recycle? You’re not alone--those were the top three environmental pet peeves among U.S. and Canadian office workers according to a recent poll conducted by Harris Interactive.

To be fair, some workplaces are new to this green (or blue) thing, and employees might need a little help learning the dos and don’ts of eco-etiquette. So what’s the best way to woo folks to the green side?

Should you corner your co-workers with eco-speeches? Should you post an anonymous note near the recycling bin? (Here’s one real-life example:  “Mother Earth weeps when you don’t recycle—and so do your co-workers!”)

Perhaps you’d receive better results by creating a power point presentation on green office products, or linking your company’s newsletter to The Green Life’s list of 10 Ways to Go Green at Work.

Let us know how you’ve won over your colleagues!

--Della Watson

Source:  The Daily Green

Comments

[Will Taft]

I am a firm believer that people in general want to do the right things and that they will follow examples if they are emphasized. My suggestion is that each desk has a deskslider recycling bin to help people remember. One trick is to place the desk side container on top of the trash can and the default will be to recycle.
I too go crazy seeing waist but my momma taught me to gently lead people to the recycling bin and they will be easier to get along with.
Will

[Ryan]

There's a great device to help save power on PC's and their peripherals

http://www.loveinventions.com/checktap-save-money-help-the-environment-winwin

[Ralph Copleman]

Why not try a little friendly conversation, as in... "I want you to do something for me. Next time you have an opportunity to (recycle some paper, limit printing, turn out lights, etc.), I want you to reconsider your choice. If you're nor sure what your sustainable option is under the circumstances, let me know; we can figure it out together."

Judging, scolding, and making punishing remarks won't work well. Friendship and collaboration might work better. Give your personal relationship with someone a chance to make a difference. Be kind, and be direct.

[Lerin]

I work in a large retail store and i've had recycling boxes clearly labeled, and signs above them clearly listing what they can recycle, and these are right beside the trashcan in our breakroom. I've been doing this on my own time for about 2 yrs. I guess I work with a bunch of careless idiots, because they still throw everything in the trash, and then ask me what i'm doing when i dig thru the garbage pulling stuff out to recycle.

[Lori De Giusti]

My two older co-workers could not relate to my passion for recycling and eliminating wasteful habits. Talking about polluting our planet did not make much of an impact. But, I did make an impression when I stressed their responsibility not to hand over a polluted planet to one's grandson and other one's two sons. The grandmother seemed to take heart and has now begun to be more conscious of her need to recycle. The "Human Footprint" program on National Geographic Channel is really conveying the message of how our habits truly impact the planet. My one co-worker is fascinated with this program. One converted with one more co-worker to go.

[Christiana]

Although I just got laid off, I do want to commend my former employer for embracing recycling and reducing on a big scale.
Two years ago, the purchasing department would laugh at me, when I advocated to have a purchasing choice of recycled paper products. Now, Forest City has a nationwide initiative that reduces usage of materials, electricity every step of the way. I found them very receptive to individual employee comments, and they've implemented many suggestions. One of the top executives, Chuck Ratner, writes a daily green blog. And they've been in the forefront not just in the administrative part, but applying more green building supplies and practices.

[Fred Galyean]

Be proactive and positive. Avoid anything that may come across as preaching, demanding or guilt-inducing. Make it easier for your co-workers to do the right thing. Make sure there's a recycle bin easily accessible. Let them know that not printing unnecessary documents would save them time, and that turning off the lights will save the company money and any energy saved helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Encouragement and motivation are much more effective than guilt.

[Sara B., Norfolk]

Yesterday, I forwarded The Green Life newsletter from April 21 (Greening the Office) to the whole agency. I've posted signs around the office letting people know they can bring me their batteries and CFL bulbs...and I turn take them to a local place called Green Alternatives for recycling. If I can make just one person think a bit more about their actions, it will have been worth it.

[Tini]

I added a note to the automatic signature line on my emails that reads
"Please consider the environment before printing this email."
The font is different from the rest of the email, it's green, and it has a little picture of a tree. Very noticeable. Lots of coworkers have asked how I got it.