Green Office Culture: Fostering a Green Culture in your Department
Download a Fostering a Green Culture in your Department Information Flyer (Doc 46kb)
Background
The culture of an office is made up of:
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The behaviours that are accepted as the norm, and |
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The opinions people hold regarding these behaviours. |
We currently live in a culture of consumerism in which it is the norm to ‘Use, Use, Use’. A Green Office represents a shift from this culture to one where it is expected that people will ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’. This can be a rewarding shift and can be made into a fun experience.
Creating a Green Office Culture requires staff making changes in their everyday actions. In addition to distributing tips (supplied by the Green Office Program) on practical and easy environmental actions, you can help this process by making environmental issues part of everyday life.
Creating a Green Office Culture in your department will require:
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Providing constant fun and simple reminders about Green Office basics (eg paper reduction, energy reduction), and |
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Explaining WHY it is important to have a Green Office. |
Action
By taking on some or all of the following actions, you can create a Green Culture in your department.
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You can’t create a Green Culture by yourself. Put together a Green Team to meet regularly and devise and implement Green Office initiatives, using the Green Office Program Tips, of course! |
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Put up posters and signage around the department to raise awareness of Green Office actions (eg. at the photocopier with instructions on double siding. This poster and more will be provided soon). |
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Hold a bi-monthly afternoon tea to advise staff of OHS & environmental issues, including Green Office initiatives in your department. Food is always a good way to encourage people to show up. Also, some of the best ideas happen when people in the office meet and mingle informally. |
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We can provide pamphlets and information for you. Just contact us in advance and let us know what you are doing and what you need. |
Did you know?
BP Offices in Melbourne have made a huge shift in their waste culture. Nobody has a rubbish bin by their desk, but they do have a paper recycling box. To dispose of any other waste, staff must walk to a centralised waste area to choose between compost bins, co-mingled recycling bins (bottles, plastics and aluminium cans) or non-recyclable waste (landfill) bins!
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