Irrational use of natural resources due to growing population needs and constant release of pollutants from domestic and industrial sources has put the environment that we live under great stress. The current scenario demands a sense of responsibility from every individual across the globe. Not only individuals, but the responsibility of protecting the environment also lies with every organization or company. Organizations should adopt environmental responsibility as an integral part of Corporate Social Responsibility. But how to go about adopting environmental responsibility?
1. Waste minimization
Use reusable cups for tea and coffee.
Fill drinking water in reusable bottles or temperature regulated flasks from common points/ water fountains/ coolers/ RO units available in your office. Discourage companies from serving water in the desk/cubicles.
Consciously avoid single use plastics. The companies should also ban the single use plastics within their premises.
Segregate the waste in color coded trash bins for better treatment/ recycling. Papers wasted by a company should be recycled at their own cost and reused by them.
Advice cafeterias and food courts to use reusable plates, spoons and forks. Promote use of biodegradable straws.
Excess or leftover foods can be distributed to the needy to avoid wastage and in-turn reduce carbon footprint.
Companies that can afford can collaborate with the municipal corporation or other companies and participate in waste treatment. They can adopt technologies like composting, vermi-composting or bio-gasification for treating the biodegradable waste (food waste, yard waste etc.)
2. Reduce the use of paper - Go paperless! As far as possible, let us stop wasting paper. Print what is required. Develop digital management systems to avoid red-tapism, especially government offices. Go for double-sided printing. Companies should use recycled paper.
3. Emission reduction - The companies can avoid unnecessary travel (meetings, conferences, symposiums, etc.) unless needed and organize meetings through online mode. By doing so, the emission of pollutants and the consumption of gasoline, petrol, or diesel can be minimized. As individuals, we can do carpooling or use public transport to reduce emissions and carbon footprint.
4. Energy conservation
Corporate offices can construct the buildings to ensure natural light entry and facilitate natural temperature moderators to receive natural heating and cooling.
Use minimum lights and take advantage of the natural light as far as possible.
Fuel efficient bulbs like LED bulbs should be preferred. Replace incandescent light signboards with LED lights.
More importantly, turn off the lights when not in use. Automatic dimming and occupancy sensor systems can be installed to turn off the lights when not in use. Lights in restrooms remain on throughout the day. Occupancy sensor-operated lights in restrooms will conserve energy. Even office corridors shall be fitted with occupancy sensor lights that turns off when no one is around. Switch off outdoor lights during daylight. Turn off the computers, monitors, printers, and other office equipment while you leave the office.
Purchase energy star equipment to save more than 50% energy. Laptops save 80-90% energy so we can prefer laptops in place of personnel computers.
Service the air conditioners regularly. Opt for air conditioners with high energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10.5 or more to reduce operating costs.
As far as possible the buildings can be used to harvest renewable energy through solar panels.
5. Reduce carbon footprint - Carbon footprint is the measure of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide released during the actions of an individual, company, office, organization, event, or an entire nation. Every single activity we do contribute to the carbon footprint. E.g., driving a car, riding a bike and other travel you make; energy consumption, use of air conditioners, and so on. Even the diet you consume, the food that you cook, release greenhouse gases. The products you use in day to day life would release greenhouse gases during the production process or during their life cycle.
6. Reduce water footprint - The total water used directly or indirectly to run an office or business is termed as water footprint. Henceforth take utmost care not to waste water. Any leakage, even drop leakages from taps, should be reported and fixed immediately. Water-efficient taps in restrooms, canteens, food courts, and cafeterias can save water.
7. Efficient use of natural resources - We are depleting the natural resources at a faster pace than the rate at which it is renewing. Sustainable use of natural resources is the key to revive and restore the environment. Henceforth as an individual, we have a great responsibility to maximize the efficient use of the resources. Buy what is needed, so a big no to the exploitation of resources!
A small change in our habit can have a significant impact on the environment and the organization too. Let us all join our hands together and start to change our habits and educate our organizations to follow these simple steps from today!
Very Informative 👏