Earth Day and Green Office Week
Local recycling, global responsibility – celebrating Earth Day and Green Office Week
Friday 22nd April looks set to be a historical day for our planet, as the leaders from 175 different countries including China, the US and the UK signed the Paris climate change agreement.
It was also Earth Day 2016, the 46th year of a movement that continues to inspire and motivate people and business to ramp up climate action.
The Paris agreement becomes effective as soon as at least 55 parties responsible for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions have ratified it.
It could and should have a massive, positive impact on carbon emissions and slow down global warming.
With the U.S. and China leading the charge for prompt ratification, the threshold is likely to be met soon.
While these huge nations are pledging to make changes, what are we as individual doing to play a part in protecting our planet for the future? What practical steps can we make to minimise our effect on the earth i.e. live in a more sustainable way?
Circular economy
Taking care of how and where we work is one way we can all make a difference to the planet, which is why Cawleys strapline is “Local recycling, global responsibility”.
Since most of spend the majority of our waking hours at work, it makes sense to focus on the workplace to make a difference.
It is also easy to contribute to the circular economy at work. Driving the circular economy means conserving the waste from the products we consume, turning them into new products, and buying products which include recycled content.
Cardboard Office
The cardboard office is a great example of this at work. You can see some pictures of one of our offices here at Cawleys. Every desk and shelf is made of cardboard, and you can see they are robust and completely “normal” to use.
They won’t go soggy if you spill your coffee, they have a wipe clean laminate surface, and they’re not weak or wobbly - the table can hold support over 1,700 kg in weight (more than 200 stone!) but weighs only 15 kg itself (2 stone.)
How to green your office
As well as Earth Day today it has also been Green Office Week, something we are delighted to support and champion. The ‘dream’ green office would have the following in place:
separate collection vessels for different waste streams
food waste collected and stored separately so that it doesn't contaminate other waste streams
office equipment and products which contribute to the circular economy.
electricity from sustainable sources such as solar power or AD plants.
The green dream office
The first and most fundamental step in achieving a ‘green dream office’ is collecting your waste and ensuring it is put to the most productive second life uses possible.
That is where we at Cawleys can help, we offer unbeatable recycling rates, and can help you explore practical steps in the office to help you collect waste and recycle it efficiently.
We can also help you identify office products which contribute to the circular economy.
A simple checklist for your office of products which contribute to the circular economy are:
Rechargeable batteries
Paper made from recycled fibres and pulp
Pens and pencils made with recycled content
Cardboard furniture
Window blinds or curtains made with recycled content
LED lighting
Hard wearing carpets made with recycled content
If Earth Day and Green Office Week have inspired you to make a difference, get in touch with us at Cawleys and we can help you put your plans into practice, and help your office become a driving force in the circular economy.