Canadians looking to green their workspace would be wise to turn their attention to the West Coast, according to results released on Earth Day (April 22) for the annual Canada’s Greenest Employers competition.
Arc'Teryx , Telus (TSX:T) and the City of Vancouver were among the 17 B.C.-based businesses and organizations recognized as the most environmentally progressive in the nation.
The City of Vancouver was honoured for its initiative offering a reward points system to employees who walk or cycle to the office and outdoor apparel-maker Arc'Teryx managed to divert more than 90% of waste created by its manufacturing process.
In honour of Earth Day, Climate Smart and Pacific Blue Cross have developed a top 10 list for tips on greening the workspace for other B.C. organizations hoping to make the cut next year as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers:
1) Make going green a priority. If your organization makes environmentally sustainable practices a priority, then change will occur; if you put them on the back burner, it will be difficult to get everyone on board. The more top-of-mind your green initiatives are, the more effective they will be. Use your company communications channels to spread and sustain your message.
2) Know your current footprint. Take time to understand your current environmental impact. Set a baseline now to know how to measure your progress in the future.
3) Identify where there is waste. Knowing where your systems generate waste will help you find the starting point for making change. Waste can be categorized as anything that is used or produced in excess, such as energy, time, water and emissions.
4) Set a goal and plan your steps. Know what you want to accomplish with your green initiatives and how you plan to reach these goals. Make sure to schedule times to re-evaluate these initiatives to ensure you are achieving the desired effects.
5) Start with the simple things. For example, switch incandescent lights to energy efficient bulbs, choose to print less, convert to recycled paper products in your printers and photocopiers, and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. These are relatively simple changes that are inexpensive and that have a big impact. You can increase your efforts by installing light sensors to conserve energy and automatic taps in the bathrooms to conserve water.
6) Convert to central waste stations. Remove individual wastebaskets in favour of centralized waste sorting stations. These stations have specific places for recyclables, waste, paper and composting and ultimately lead to less landfill waste production.
7) Find key players. Identify and empower strategic supporters within your company. Draw on the passion of those who are already committed to green lifestyles outside of work and use them to propel the green initiatives within the office environment.
8) Involve everyone. Employee communication, via posters, intranet or meetings, is important to share the vision the organization has towards a green future and to explain how each person can be involved.
9) Make green living a way of life. Encourage employees to continue their commitment to living greener lives outside of the office environment. If smart environmental practices become a way of life, larger scale change can happen in the office environment and overall the impact will be much greater.
10) Find a support system. Partner with other organizations that are committed to environmentally responsible practices. Draw on them for support and ideas and learn from the changes they have made in their operations.
By implementing the above changes, Pacific Blue Cross was able to reduce its overall carbon footprint by 10.1%, waste-to-landfill by 37.5% and paper use by 21.7% within one year. During that same period, it diverted 305 tonnes of C02e waste and has since reduced its overall trash by two-thirds.
