How green is your office? Have you made environmentally conscious choices? This questionnaire is designed to assess how many green decisions you’ve made at work and what areas of environmental unconsciousness need improvement. How many questions can you answer with a confident “yes!”?
Office Supplies
- Do you buy recycled copier paper, toilet paper and paper towels?
- Do you encourage the use of ceramic/glass dishes by supplying dishes, cupboard space, a dishwasher or a sink and soap?
- Do you buy refillable pens and pencils?
- Do you encourage the reuse of file folders, binders and other non-expendable office supplies?
- Do you refill toner and ink jet cartridges?
Office Design
- Do the light fixtures have energy efficient bulbs?
- Are the heating and air conditioning systems as energy efficient as possible?
- Have you chosen office furnishings and decorations made from sustainable materials?
- Do you turn off your photocopier and other office equipment at night?
- Do you have multiple recycling boxes in prime locations (under each desk, beside photocopiers, in the lunch room) and minimal garbage cans to encourage recycling over creating garbage?
- Does your office have live plants to help improve air quality?
- Is there a substantial amount of natural light available in work areas?
- Does the washroom have water saving facets, toilets and blow dryers instead of paper towels?
- Are water leaks in the kitchen and bathroom attended to quickly?
Chemical Contamination
“Familiar office products such as correction fluid, markers, dry cell batteries, photocopy toner and cleaning products all contain small quantities of harmful substances, and wastes from their use (e.g., spent containers, soiled rags) can be considered 'environmentally harmful'.” (Source: Working Your Way to a Green Office).
- Do you reduce the amount of chemical contamination created by your office by purchasing non-toxic, water based correction fluids, recyclable batteries and green cleaning products?
Transportation
- Do you have incentives for employees to ride their bikes to work or use transit?
- Is the location of your office close to good transit routes and amenities?
- Do you use bike couriers whenever possible?
Office Communication
- Do you email memos instead of printing them?
- Do you have a web site or electronic message board for inter-office communications?
- Do you send eChristmas cards to clients?
- Do you choose promotional gifts to advertise your brand that help the environment (e.g. thermal mugs, fabric shopping or lunch bags etc.)?
Air Quality
- Do you have windows that open to allow fresh air movement in and stale air out?
- Does your HVAC system get regularly cleaned?
- Is the air quality regularly tested?
If you have answered yes to more than 20 of the 25 questions, you work in a very environmentally conscious environment.
If you have answered yes to 14-19 of the 25 questions, you are well on the way to protecting the environment with your choices. Consider starting programs that will reduce, reuse and recycle more.
If you have answered yes to less than 13 of the 25 questions, it is time to take a serious look at your commitment to going green at the office.
Playing your part in creating a greener planet by making environmentally conscious decisions at work will send a positive message to employees as well as clients. It may even help you win new clients and recruit super star employees!
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