At work

Employers can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and delay climate change by putting in place energy efficient practices in the workplace. You can also get your employees on board by encouraging environmentally-friendly behaviour.

There are many steps you can take in your workplace to help reduce emissions. Your business will benefit - by using energy and other resources more efficiently, production costs (such as energy bills and costs of fuel/waste disposal) can be reduced and competitiveness improved. In addition, creating new products or services that use less energy and produce less greenhouse gas emissions can differentiate business in an increasingly environmentally-conscious marketplace.

Energy - actions and activities »
Waste - actions and activities »
Transport - actions and activities »

Energy

Every workplace uses electricity. Around a third of our electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas which emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (the other two thirds are generated from renewable sources such as hydro). To reduce these emissions, we need to think about conserving energy (using less) and being more energy efficient (using energy wisely). Making your workplace more energy-efficient will also save money on power bills.

Employees:

• At the end of the day ensure lights, computers, computer monitors, photocopiers and printers are switched off.
• Switch off your computer screen if away from your desk for more than 30 minutes.
• In the kitchen, turn off appliances such as microwaves at the wall.
• Turn off lighting in meeting rooms when not in use.
• Don't boil a full water heater for drinks if you need only a small amount of hot water. Heat only what you need.
• Use the dishwasher only when you have a full load.
• Make the most of natural daylight and ventilation.

Employers:

• Use efficient lighting options such as high efficiency bulbs/fittings.
• Use area-specific lighting instead of lighting large areas.
• Investigate the possibility of installing lighting sensors and timer controls in intermittently used areas such as storerooms and meeting rooms.
• Specify energy-efficient models when purchasing office equipment. Include 'energy star' computers and equipment with shut-down timers and sleep modes.
• Insulate electric cylinders and all hot water pipes.
• Reduce water temperature to the recommended temperature (60°C) if capacity allows.
• Check for leaks and dripping taps.Choose a dual-drawer dishwasher instead of a single-drawer model to reduce energy and water usage.
• All heating and cooling systems should have sufficient means of control to ensure they are operating only when the relevant areas are occupied and that areas are heated or cooled to the required temperature.

For more ideas see the EMProve website.

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Waste

New Zealanders throw away 3.6 million tonnes of rubbish every year or more than 1000 buses full of rubbish every day! Yet around 65% of this rubbish could be recycled or composted instead.

• Reduce paper waste by:
  • printing documents double sided
  • using email instead of faxes/mail
  • re-using blank sides of paper for scrap or fax paper.
• Recycle all paper, glass, tin & plastic items you use at work.
• Use your own mug instead of a plastic or polystyrene mug (these materials don't break down).

For more ideas see the Reduce Your Rubbish website or the information sheet for taking action at work.

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Transport

Transport is our country's single largest energy consumer and it's the fastest growing - within New Zealand, transport accounts for over 43% of all consumer energy use and it produces 46% of the country's carbon dioxide emissions. There are all sorts of small things you can do to cut fuel consumption.

• Walk, cycle or take public transport to work.
• If you need to take a car to work, try to car-pool with colleagues.
• Consider fuel-efficient, low-polluting options when buying work vehicles & regularly service all cars.
• Keep the tyres on your company cars inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure & have the wheel alignment checked regularly.
• Work from home & use video conference facilities as options to reduce work-related travel.

For more ideas see tips for driving, maintaining and buying motor vehicles and being EnergyWise on the road.

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