Green ideas for the office

January is traditionally a time of new beginnings and resolutions. Perhaps this is a good opportunity to reflect on the excesses of Christmas and our consumerist lifestyles, and think of ways that we can make a positive difference in the future.

Having just recovered from Christmas and come back to work, one of the first tasks of the working year is to take down the decorations. The tinsels and baubles will be packed away to be reused next year, the Christmas cards will be recycled, and the tree will go on our compost heap.

As far as green resolutions go in 2010, at K&H we will be looking further into reducing our energy use and finding more about ways of carbon offsetting.

We tend to think that it is the small changes that we can all make that help to create a better world. If you would like to make a difference, here are some ideas for business resolutions:

• buy recycled products (e.g. paper, envelopes, pencils)
• encourage working from home to reduce emissions from commuting
• start a cycle-to-work scheme
• drive a car with low emissions (less than 120g/km)
• order supplies in large amounts to reduce packaging and deliveries
• use energy-efficient lighting
• turn off computers, monitors, printers and other machines at night
• switch off monitors at lunchtime or when away from your desk for any length of time
• print double-sided
• drink tap water rather than bottled

If you have any other ideas for being greener at work, I’d love to hear them. Email me.

Susan Kemish
Operations Director