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Workplaces

Advice and suggestions for greener living

Workplaces are a major source of wasted energy.

Businesses can cut costs by encouraging their staff to be more 'green aware', while employees can also do their part for the environment by switching off computers and lights, reducing the amount of paper they print and choosing greener travel options.

Here are some other suggestions.

• Switching off equipment
  
  Turn electrical equipment off when you go home or leave the office to save energy and cut costs. This includes lights, kitchen appliances and computer monitors which are often left on standby.



• Recycling bins
  
  Place rubbish in the correct bin and ask your employer to provide separate bins, if these aren't already available.
  
  We offer a commercial waste recycling service across Belfast. Find out more about our commercial waste recycling service.



• Printing
  
  Think before you print, rather than automatically sending material to the printer. Reduce the size of documents and change your computer settings to print double-sided.
  
  Share material with a colleague and urge others to think about their own printing. Encourage your office to purchase recycled paper.
  
  
• Food and drink
  
  Use mugs or glasses, rather than disposable cups, particularly if you have a water machine in your workplace. Encourage your caterers to use fresh, local food and ask for a home composter so all kitchen waste can be recycled.
  
  
• Green travel - for staff
  
  Walk or cycle to work or use public transport if you can. You could also consider car-sharing with a colleague to cut travel costs and reduce fuel emissions. Information about car-sharing schemes is available from the Carshare NI website.
  
  Use tele or video conferencing instead of travelling to meetings and, if you have to fly as part of your job, ask your employer to offset the carbon emissions.
  
  
• Green travel - for employers
  
  If you own a business which uses a fleet of vehicles, get a free consultation with the Energy Saving Trust (028 6634 0780) to find out how you can cut fuel emissions.
  
  Think about promoting cycle to work and car-sharing schemes for employees and provide facilities which encourage their use.