9 Simple Steps Towards a Greener Office

There have been a huge number of "Green Office" guides issued in the past couple of years, all of which make every attempt to cover the most important actions every individual can take to reduce the impact of daily business activities on the environment. Here is a list of the 9 most obvious and yet too often ignored simple, cost-free actions which can form part of all office discipline:

1. Turn off your PC This is simple.

Research shows that approx £35 per annum is spend and 1,000lbs of carbon dioxide is created for each PC left switched on continuously. Imagine the savings for overnight and weekends - and switch off.

2. Turn off other people's PCs

If the IT facilities management team is not doing maintenance work out of office hours there is no reason why anyone's PC should be left on. So encouraging any colleague to switch off is a good idea. You might get a straight look, but there again; your intervention might be appreciated.

3. Turn off the printer, the scanner, the fax machine

Wherever there is a glowing red light, there is electricity being used. This is the case, of course, even if machines are on standby. For all communal machines such as printers, scanners etc, it is a good idea to ensure everyone knows how to switch them on and off - and indeed to create a rota of responsibility so that everyone knows who is looking after the systems each day.

4. Put used paper back in the printer

If you have printed out something and realised you no longer need it, just turn the sheet of paper over and put it back in the printer. If this is set down as a regular practice, then individuals can check if they need the paper to be fresh - this is not the case if the document id just for their own use, but of course it is important otherwise.

5. Email footer

Add an environmental message to the bottom of your email signature - it might help to prevent just a few less unnecessary email printouts.

6. Get rid of your bin

Although 70 per cent of office waste is recyclable only eight per cent ever makes it as far as a recycling bin. Take away that convenient waste-bin right by each desk and this will help encourage less waste at source, and encourage people to get up and use the recycling bin.

7. Open the blinds

It is extraordinary how some office keep the blinds closed in the same position constantly - summer or winter. Open the blinds on sunny day, and surely fewer lights will need to be kept on during the day.

8. Move your plants and furniture

Having pot plants in the office is great - but having them where they block the natural light is not so great. Similarly, badly-placed furniture in front of radiators or other heating sources is not a good idea. Anything that blocks natural light and interferes with cooling or heating circulation should be dealt with.

9. Encourage thermostat adjustment

Even if you do not have access or the authority to change the thermostat settings in your office or building, there is no harm in reminding your company's facilities team that a reduction of 1 degree in the temperature can save up to 10% per year in heating costs.

By reviewing and implementing these 9 simple steps, your office can make its own practical contribution to the debate of environmental responsibility.