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Apr 16

Green Philosophy

Posted on April 16, 2019 at 9:09 AM by Josh Yaworski

  green trees with the words going green

Green Philosophy

Taking measures to protect our future is not futile. Numerous non-profits have yet to recognize the negative ecological imprint that their respective organization makes. Isn’t it conscientious and gratifying to adopt green habits that are healthy for our work environment? We could greenify our operations and change our ways for the greater good.

No one expects a completely perfect system when you decide to go green. It is a gradual process. The choice to modify our daily routine eventually leads to a cultural shift within the organization. When new habits are formed, then a new way of thinking takes root.

No matter how well-intentioned people are, unless there are supports in place to guide people’s efforts, the commitment to going green will fade. Therefore, make it convenient to make greener choices. Explain why people’s environmental efforts will have immediate and long-term impact. Ultimately, it’s for our planet, but it is also to keep our non-profits sustainable.

A non-profit might conduct an energy efficiency audit to decide where to focus their greening efforts. Most environmentally friendly ideas are surprisingly achievable without a lot of strain on staff and volunteers.

Stop junk mail from coming to your non-profit. Print double-sided and pay bills online. Use a microfiber cloth instead of paper towel. Reducing the use of paper helps the environment by decreasing the amount of material that ends up in the landfill. It also reduces deforestation helping to protect species in rain forests and wood lands.

Turn electronics off when not in use. Use dimmer switches, LED light bulbs, or turn out the lights. Only run a full dishwasher or hand wash the coffee cups. Purchase energy-rated appliances. Wrap an insulation blanket around the water heater. Conserve energy and reduce climate change. It is said that we are consuming our natural resources faster than they can be replenished.

Refuse to drink bottled water. Take the recyclables to the bottle depot. Repurpose jugs with handles as scoops. Go chemical free in your cleaning efforts. Take your lunch in reusable containers. Drink home brew instead of buying from a coffee outlet. Walk to work, use transit, or carpool. Combine errands to reduce driving. Less waste inhibits the greenhouse gas effect, carbon emission, and reduces threat to wildlife.

Keep computers and other electronics for as long as possible. Recycle them properly to avoid mercury and other poisons from seeping into the ground. When you need new technology and appliances, then shop local to avoid shipping of items.

Let us all strive toward going green. We do it at home, so we should be green at work, too. Inspire staff, board, volunteers, service-users, stakeholders, grantors, and all children that reducing pollution and over-consumption is possible! 


https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/publications/efficiency/industrial/cipec/employee/6741

https://www.rifoundation.org/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/NW_greenmanual.pdf