Green Workplaces

Workplaces account for a high proportion of Islington's energy use and they produce a lot of waste. Energy use from buildings and transport generates air pollution and waste often has to be sent to landfill sites. Organisations can save significantly on costs by using less energy and reducing and recycling waste. This in turn will reduce the negative impacts they have on the environment.         

For example, many people work in offices which use numerous electrical equipment. In fact, 10% of all energy used in buildings is used in offices, enough energy to run over two million cars. It is estimated that office-based businesses could save 20% of their energy costs through simple measures.

Everyone can take steps to reduce energy use and waste at work. Staff can have a lot of influence so work with your employer to help reduce the organisation's impact on the environment.

The Islington Climate Change Partnership (ICCP) offers support to organisations in reducing their energy use and therefore their carbon emissions. For more information on the ICCP please go to the Islington Climate Change Partnership page.

Below are some simple tips on saving energy and reducing waste in the workplace:

Reducing energy and waste at work

• Install room thermostats for heating and set to 19-21°C
• Install timers to heating so it only switches on when people are in the building
• Avoid artificial cooling in summer by using natural ventilation and tilting blinds
• Maximise use of natural light
• Switch off lights in unoccupied rooms/spaces and at the end of the working day
• Enable power save modes on office equipment and switch off completely at the end of the working day
• Set defaults on printers and photocopiers to double-sided
• Use scrap paper for drafts and notes