So the kids are well-trained in water and energy saving techniques, the tap isn't left running while they brush their teeth and the lights go off when they leave a room, but at work we act as if we never taught them these things and we certainly don't lead by example.
Maybe we just don't know how to save energy at work or maybe we're too busy (who has time to be the "light monitor" anyway?), but the time has come to start getting serious about saving energy (for the planet's sake as well as your wallet!).
Luckily for us it's actually pretty simple to save energy, you've just got to get into the habit or remembering to!
The following simple-to-use tips can help save huge amounts of energy in the long term; here they are:
Turn off the lights when you're planning on leaving a room for more than 15 minutes - to help everyone remember this simply place an informative sticker or sign above the switch or door. You may also want to check that no one is still in the room when you turn off the lights.
Switch off your computer at the end of the day, but be sure to ask the IT guys if it's ok - you might get into trouble if the computer is supposed to run back ups over night.
Stop printing every piece of information you come across. Print only when it's really necessary. I recently went to the bank and was shocked at how much paper they used - for absolutely every little decision I made a page spewed out the printer for me to sign!
If (like my bank) your company also has a score to settle with the poor defenceless Earth try to even out the playing field by recycling as much as you can. Try to sneak a recycling bin into the office and encourage your colleagues to fight the system and use it as well.
And finally, if you are the person who writes the company policies (or if you know who this person is) include a clause stating that it is now company policy to buy only energy saving bulbs and equipment. Then send an email (which the staff will hopefully not print…) informing everyone of the new policy.
Have any other easy energy saving tips to share? Let me know!