If you're like us, you're making strides toward reducing our environmental impact, but
there's always more to do. If you're looking for the next step-after improving the workspace
around you-consider becoming your office's official (or unofficial) green advocate.
- Join the board (or just become a member) of a local or national Green council
- Talk to your building management about adding recycling services
- Send out weekly emails to the staff including Green tips and tricks
- Formalize your Green efforts, both for economical benefits and positive PR
Join a local or national Green council
The best resource we've found for finding a Green group in your area is GreenBiz.com's
organizations page, located at http://greenbiz.com/resources/organizations . With local and
national groups highlighted, it's your best bet for finding a group that fits your needs and goals.
Once you've joined, publicize your membership on your company site, social networking profiles,
and email signature. Your colleagues and contacts will take notice and ask you about how they
can "Go Green."
Talk to your building management about adding recycling services
You can use recycling bins to your heart's content, but if your building's cleaning crew tosses
everything in the same trash bin, all your hard work will be lost. Short of staying late to supervise
their actions, place a call to building management and ask about recycling. If they don't offer the
service, ask about their objection, and then petition the rest of the building's tenants to gain their
support. If they're still reluctant to help, offer to help find an alternative vendor that provides
recycling services.
Send out weekly emails to the staff including Green tips and tricks
Many people want to do more to protect the environment and reduce their personal impact, but
they don't know where to start. A weekly email about Green topics will keep the issue top-of-mind.
Just remember to keep it short and sweet, and we recommend providing a link to give your tip
credibility. Unsure of where to start? Bookmark your favorites on these sites, and then write a
one-paragraph summary of each. You'll have ten weeks' worth in no time, and you'll be the go-to
person for Green knowledge in the workplace. The Earth will thank you.
- http://greenbiz.com/resources/howto
- http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php
- http://www.conservation.org/learn/Pages/default.aspx
Formalize your Green efforts, both for economical benefits and positive PR
Even if your company is too small for a separate Green division, a formal approach to "Going Green"
can help executives buy in to the long-term benefits and help generate some positive news for your
business. Start by writing an environmental mission statement and presenting it to the company
leadership. Get the mission presented at a company meeting, and you're sure to find like-minded
individuals that can help you organize your efforts.