Green Our Office update
source: justinvg
As I wrote last month, the company I work for is striving to green our office. Ours is one of at least a dozen around the world. But we’re in California, so I suppose as a population, we’re eco-friendly by nature.
To help push forward, a number of us have volunteered to take on this initiative. Volunteer bring the optimal word.
We have a lot of really good ideas for what it would take to help Green our office. Certain ideas are out: solar, greywater, farming. Due to the nature of our biz.
So, we have a ‘launch party’ scheduled for later this month. This is an office -wide chips/salsa/beer type of party. Big fun, give ‘em a reason to come hear us try to convert them the Greenies. Not really, but maybe somewhat.
Our time has been spent trying to plan the changes we want to announce. We’re trying to be as effective as possible, while being the least intrusive as possible.
Not easy.
Here is what we’re doing to change our office:
1. eliminating all paper cups from the kitchens - supplyling reusable mugs and cups
2. modifying printer settings to default to double-sided
3. organizing carpool options for employees
4. education other employees of the benefits of recycling, curbing waste, saving energy
5. funneling cost savings into fun things our office (beer bash, etc.)
Here is what we’re not doing, and here is the problem:
1. We’re not really working together - as with any ad hoc organization, it’s often the loudest voice that gets their way. And these loudest voices sometimes think and do things that the group don’t agree with. But now, we have to listen anyway. Because they are our co-workers, and chewing someone out could be awkward. A delicate situation.
2. We’re not as focused as we could be. All it takes is a couple of people are worrying over trivialities to slow down our meeting. This happens regularly.
3. We’re shrinking in numbers. Of the 25 that originally signed up, less than 12 remain involved. Either the excitement is wearing off, or people are getting scared off by group behaviors. Wait, I thought this was supposed to be the era of enlightenment. Or maybe these people are just too busy… working.
So what do you, the readers, think we should do next? Leave a comment or send me an email.
