Appendix 1. 10 Green Things You Can Do
As an Employee
1. Ensure that all new and renovated facilities are resource-efficient and healthy
for humans and the rest of the ecosystem.
2. Create and share an agency vision that incorporates green into all planning,
policy, development, and operations activities.
3. Institute green as part of the agency's culture.
4. Make green a part of new employee orientation packages.
5. Develop information on greener purchasing, recycling, commuting, etc., and make
it easily accessible to staff.
6. Institute an internal conservation committee with representatives from every
department to identify areas for improvement and seek solutions to
environmental issues.
7. Recognize employees who make extra efforts in helping the agency move toward
sustainability or ecological restoration.
8. Track energy, water, resource, and cost savings where possible and use these
measures as benchmarks against which to compare future resource use.
9. Undertake retrofits that would increase conservation, such as sensors that turn
lights off when not in use.
10. Ensure that outdoor landscaping helps to restore local, native flora and fauna.
Personally
1. Turn off your lights, PC, and other office equipment when not in use.
2. Carpool, walk, take public transportation, or bicycle to work.
3. Minimize water use (e.g., don't let water run as you wash your hands).
4. Buy from greener and socially responsible businesses.
5. Use products efficiently and completely.
6. Recycle paper, cardboard, metals, glass, CD-ROMs, toner cartridges, light bulbs,
and any other waste products for which there is a market.
7. Use mugs and reusable utensils rather than Styrofoam and other disposable
products.
8. Buy organic and locally grown foods for lunch.
9. Volunteer in conservation-related programs.
10. Save energy by bringing hot coffee in a thermos rather than using individual
coffee pots.
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