Green Office is a cost-saving and improvement programme implemented in offices. It forms part of the strategic approach developed by the WWF to reduce humanity’s impact on natural resources, known as the Ecological Footprint. Reference: http://www.wwf.org.tr
What is WWF Green Office?
Green buildings, also known as sustainable buildings, are structures designed, constructed and operated in a way that does not harm the environment or human health, consumes less energy and water, and uses resources and materials more efficiently.
What Have We Done as Part of the WWF Green Office Initiative?
- Initiatives to improve the efficiency of water consumption by office staff.
- Initiatives to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling within the office.
- Initiatives aimed at ensuring the efficiency of office thermal insulation.
- Initiatives aimed at ensuring the recycling of plastic, glass and paper waste generated within the office.
- Initiatives aimed at recycling batteries and old electronic devices used within the office.
- Awareness-raising campaigns regarding the use of environmentally friendly and recyclable materials.
- Initiatives aimed at encouraging the use of digital publications instead of printed ones.
How Did We Save Money Through the WWF Green Office?
- We have reduced paper consumption by 53% and toner consumption by 56% within the organisation by using a single printer and minimising waste in office operations by changing our working practices as part of the Green Office Scheme.
- In 2015, our electricity consumption was at 67,768 kWh; we managed to reduce this to 60,113 kWh by the end of the scheme despite an increase in our workforce.
- In a survey we conducted prior to the Green Office scheme, we found that our employees’ environmental awareness was at 70.5%; we increased this to 90.5% thanks to the regular updates we provided following the scheme.
- We came to work wearing jumpers and did not turn on our heaters as part of the WWF’s ‘Jumper Wednesday’ initiative during the winter to raise awareness about reducing electricity consumption and preventing the waste of natural resources. (Tasdix)
- We have regularly informed our staff about saving resources through in-office reminders, particularly in areas such as kitchens and toilets where there is significant waste of paper, water and electricity.
- We used recyclable solutions for printed materials and have also set up a library in the office. We have set up a shared space called the “Green Office Library” where staff can share magazines, newspapers and books.
- We have reduced the use of bottled water. We have placed waste battery and paper bins in the office. Over a 40-day period, we recycled an average of 4.8 kg of paper waste and 3.5 kg of glass waste.
- We used LED lighting in areas of the office that required refurbishment, taking care to proceed with due consideration.
- We avoided using spotlights along the window sills and had windows fitted in our office that can be opened to reduce our use of air conditioning.
- We have taken care to ensure that our office furniture is modular.
