Green Policy

It is vitally important that all businesses - local, state, national and international, both large and small - consider their impact on the environment. Agricultural, transport, engineering, food, health, construction, shipping, public, mining, IT, telecommunication, manufacturing, retail and other Australian industry sectors have a profound effect on the environment, far greater than the residential sector.

Business reforms must include water conservation strategies, use of 100% renewable energy sources, consideration of the entire waste lifecycle, good air quality and avoidance of chemicals. These are all important aspects in an efficient business sustainability policy. Decisions must be based on environmental sustainability and good purchasing choices, not the cheapest price or the bottom line.

Groupware strongly promotes our green policy throughout the company. A green office delivers the following benefits:

• more efficiencies are created, for example, using two sides of one piece of paper versus using one side of two pieces of paper
• environmental benefits e.g. saving trees by wasting less paper
• saving money by using less electricity
• saving waste by reducing, reusing and recycling
• reducing air and water pollution e.g. using less electricity creates less greenhouse gases
• positive action which motivates our staff in the knowledge their actions enhance their environment

Groupware Consulting are dedicated to the improvement of our environment and promote an environmentally friendly policy which includes:

• Subscribing to Green Power
• Support and membership to Australian Conservation Foundation
• Purchasing recycled copy paper
• FSC and recycled paper printed materials using vegetable based inks and environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing processes.
• Air quality testing initiated
• Recycling all used copy paper and cardboard
• Recycling bottles, glass, recyclable plastics, cartons, tins
• Recycling PCs by donating to charities, recycling centres or reselling
• Refilling printer cartridges rather than buying new cartridges
• Buying energy efficient equipment
• Turning off lights after use
• Making sure dishwasher is full before use
• Minimising chemicals used on the premises and using environmentally friendly products
• Using ceramic cups or glasses rather than plastic disposable cups
• Requested our building’s agent budget for toilets to be converted to dual-flush
• Printing double-sided documents rather than single-sided
• Re-using water on our pot plants
• Conversion to laptops
• Wireless office
• Donating any unused items e.g. crockery & dishes to charity
• Many of our staff walk to client sites for business purposes
• The majority of our staff ride bikes or catch trains or trams to work
• Purchase environmentally friendly products wherever possible e.g. Pilot Begreen Pens
• Long-term sustainability planning 
• Using 'Green Product' suppliers
• Purchasing a Bokashi Bucket for food scraps

Groupware Consulting Pty Ltd are currently investigating opportunities for staff to be involved in environmental activities e.g. Clean Up Australia Day.

Any queries about our Green Policy, please contact WENDY MAYER

Going Green: at work

According to the Australian Conservation Foundation's website:

"We spend 90% of our lives inside buildings, so healthy indoors are essential to our health and wellbeing. Most people mistakenly think that the air inside their building is cleaner than the outside air, but this is rarely the case.

Unhealthy offices cost more than health. Productivity losses of up to 6% have been identified in staff working in buildings where air quality is poor at a significant cost to Australian companies.

Employers, building owners, product manufacturers, engineers, architects and builders are increasingly at risk from litigation arising from claims based on indoor air pollution.

The traditional way we run offices is not sustainable. Here are some tips on how your office can go green, improving the state of the environment and staff well-being.

Every improvement that you make is important but the decisions that your workplace make when purchasing new equipment or fitting out a work space are those that have the biggest and longer lasting impacts. Where possible, we've listed tips in order of their importance in reducing your impact on the environment."

For more helpful information and tips go to: http://www.acfonline.org.au/default.asp?section_id=139

10 Easy Steps to Reduce Global Warming

1. Walk, ride your bicycle and use public transport as much as possible.

2. Save on heating and cooling costs - wear more clothes in winter instead of turning the heater on and make sure house/office is adequately insulated to protect from heat and cold.

3. Consider installing solar panels to generate electricity and a solar hot water system instead of using gas or electricity.

4. Grow more trees and plants.

5. Use long-life, environmentally friendly or compact fluorescent lights.

6. Choose a car that is fuel-efficient or, a hybrid car if possible, and have it maintained and serviced regularly to stay efficient.

7. Wash clothes in cold water.

8. Fit water-efficient shower heads which will use less hot water.

9. Support greenhouse friendly products and services.

10.Purchase the highest star rating, energy efficient electrical appliances or, better still, don't buy too many appliances.

Source: www.wendyduyker.com

Cool the Globe

Groupware Consulting supports the Cool the Globe campaign.

Recycling

YES
• Letters, envelopes and advertising materials
• Newspapers and magazines
• Work papers and telephone books
• Glass bottles and jars
• Milk and juice cartons
• Cardboard boxes
• Aluminium and steel cans/foil
• Plastic milk, juice, soft drink and detergent bottles


NO
• Waxed cardboard
• Cardboard with food remains (e.g. pizza boxes)
• Plastic bags
• Ceramics
• Household rubbish
• Food scraps

QUOTE:

The goal in life is living in agreement with nature.
Zeno, philosopher