As well playing a part in “green” initiatives, there are many things that organisations can do to contribute to the community as a whole and promote sustainable development on economic and social levels too.
Quick wins for individuals/businesses
In the office:
- Only print when really necessary and print double sided.
- Purchase re-usable and recyclable office supplies made from recycled materials.
- Ensure PCs/ monitors/ photocopiers/ printers are switched off at the end of the day.
- Encourage employees and colleagues to consider where energy and resources are being wasted and take steps to reduce this.
- Use filtered mains water rather than bottled water. This should save on costs and help reduce CO2 emissions from delivery trucks.
- Take steps to minimise consumption and waste.
- Use energy efficient appliances and fittings.
- Open the windows rather than switching on the air con!
- Bring your own mugs into work to avoid the need for polystyrene and plastic cups.
- Use scrap paper for notes and messages rather than post-its.
- Reconsider how white you need your paper to be – the less bleach the better.
- Get rid of the vending machine and invest in some teabags!
Finding/changing work
- Get a job helping to save the planet! (some useful links below).
- Don’t give up on finding a job whatever it may be. See the contacts for Connexions and Jobcentre Plus below if you are finding it difficult.
- Retrain or learn a new skill to improve your career prospects. There are a large range of opportunities available for further personal development. The adult learning weblink below is a good starting point.
Suggestions for businesses/developers
- Consider implementing an Environmental Management System (see links below to EMAS and ISO14001).
- Develop a sustainable purchasing policy.
- Install water saving or energy saving devices.
- Develop a carbon management plan, including a travel plan (see links under “on the move” for more on travel plans)
- Consider implementing home-working where this does not negatively impact on the business.
- Developers need to make sure they are aware of any new policy/legislation relating to sustainable development issues such as travel plans, biodiversity, air quality etc. Contact the council’s planning section for guidance on this.
- Ensure new builds meet the highest possible standards for sustainability (see the BREEAM web link below).
- Raise the profile of your business by aiming for an environmental award (see environment awards link below).
- By green electricity or invest in micro-renewable technologies for your buildings.
- Install energy monitoring meters.
- Think about ways in which you could contribute to the local community/economy such as sourcing supplies locally, sponsoring a community event or providing work experience opportunities. (see also ideas under “in the community”)
Useful links
The following links may provide useful information for promoting a more sustainable workplace:
- The Carbon Trust (external link) offers advice to businesses and organisations on how to reduce their impact on climate change by cutting CO2 emissions.
- EMAS homepage (external link)
- ISO 14001 homepage (external link)
- Waste Online (external link) is a site providing explanations of why waste is a problem and how we can work towards tackling it at home and in the workplace.
- The Environment Job site (external link) provides advice and opportunities to those looking to get a job helping the environment.
- Connexions Wigan (external link) can help young people with advice on employment, relationships, leisure, health, money and a range of other things.
- Jobcentre Plus (external link) can offer help and advice on finding a job, training, leaving education, benefits, self employment, working with a disability and much more.
- Adult learning information from the national government site (external link).
- Envirowise (external link) provides free advice to businesses on how to improve environmental performance and understand the key environmental legislation that may affect their business.
- Groundwork (external link) works alongside communities, public bodies, private companies and voluntary bodies to deliver projects benefiting people, places and prosperity in communities across the UK.
- Environment Awards (external link).
