If you pledge to do some of these actions you'll go in the Bronze rewards draw.
energy actions
- Take stairs instead of the lift
- Turn appliances off at the wall rather than leaving them on standby.
- Turn unnecessary lights off in foyers, storerooms, cupboards, toilets, signage, displays
- Switch off unused equipment like extractor fans, air compressors, pumps and motors
- Use daylight rather than electric lighting
- Have cleaners work during daylight to save heating and lighting
- Ensure cleaners know about and follow your energy efficiency policies
- In Summer shield East and West facing windows from the Sun during day
- In Winter maximize light and heat gain through windows during day
- Close windows and curtains at sunset in winter
- Open windows instead of using air con & put on jerseys instead of heaters
- Move refrigeration away from heat sources
- Boil only the water needed at coffee breaks
- Avoid printing out e-mails
- Turn hot water system off when office is closed for over 2 weeks
- Fit draught stoppers
- Talk to Council’s free Eco Building Design Advisor if building or renovating
- Use energy-hungry equipment during off-peak hours
- Set hot water thermostats at 60 and aircon at 25 to 27 degrees C
- Set office thermostat at 19, workshop at 16 and stores at 10-12 degrees C
- Switch to a clean energy supplier
- Obtain off-peak reductions and smart timers from your energy supplier
- Have a suggestion box for energy saving ideas
- Start managing your energy use
transport actions
- Keep vehicles tuned and tyres at correct pressure
- Drive at lower speeds (90 kms/hr uses 25% less fuel than 110 kms/hr)
- Remove unnecessary weight like roof, bike rack, golf clubs from car
- Use car air conditioning less (can add 10% to fuel bill)
- Drive efficiently
- Avoid short trips – a cold engine uses more fuel
- Plan meetings etc so that you can consolidate them into fewer trips
- Plan trips to avoid peak traffic and congestion
- Purchase low sulphur diesel if appropriate for your vehicle
- Replace flights/car travel with phone or video-conferencing
- Replace one short car journey per week with walking or cycling
- Use the Bus in Nelson or the Bus in Blenheim once a week
- Share some of your car journeys with other drivers
- Change lawn mowing/garden maintenance contracts from a “time” to a “needs” basis
- Support your neighbourhood and/or colleagues in organising a walking school bus in Nelson or a walking school bus in Tasman. In the Marlborough region contact your school.
- Research the potential savings of including telework into your work practices
- Join the Transition Nelson Transport Group
- Do a Sustainable Living Programme transport course
waste actions
- Find out about how Waste Education Services can help you reduce your waste
- Get the team together to come up with waste minimisation tips
- Introduce your intention to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste at management and staff meetings
- Buy products with less packaging
- Ensure cleaners know about and follow your waste management policies
- Lease rather than purchase
- Send documents electronically
- File digitally rather than in filing cabinets
- Aim to print and photocopy less each month
- Use double-sided copying and printing
- Don’t accept plastic bags
- Use your own bag or container for purchases
- Ask staff to bring their reusable containers rather than use disposable ones
- Buy products which have recyclable packaging
- Put a “No Junk Mail” sticker on the letterbox
- Use kerbside recycling services
- Attend a free Council Create Your Own Eden workshop on composting
- Join the Transition Nelson Waste Group
- Attend a Sustainable Living Programme seminar on waste
water actions
- Discuss water conservation plans, progress and suggestions at staff meetings
- Ask staff for water saving ideas
- Have staff put up signs and reminders about how to conserve water
- Read meters daily to check water use and leaks
- Ask staff to run dishwasher only with a full load
- Encourage staff to make a CodeRed Water Pledge
- Ensure your cleaner knows about and follows your water use reduction policies
- Ensure prompt reporting and repair of leaking taps, cisterns, pipes etc
- Limit use of water for cleaning – use brooms, microfiber mops instead of hoses
- Adjust water flow rates to the minimum required for the operation
- Put a brick in toilet cistern if it isn’t dual flush
- Have shorter showers
- Drink tap water rather than buying bottled water
- Install low flow shower heads
- Don’t leave taps running
- Contact Council Eco Building Design Advisor about designing buildings/renovations to conserve water
nature actions
- Find out how business and biodiversity connect
- Find out what your Council is doing about biodiversity
- Encourage staff to attend Council’s Create Your Own Eden composting programme
- Irrigate at night or in early morning when temperatures and evaporation are lowest
- Plant a deciduous tree to shade sun-facing windows during summer
- Use your lawn clippings as mulch
- Provide staff with bokashi bins to compost their food scraps
- Use compost on your office garden
- Give food or native plant seeds or seedlings as gifts
- Eat local and seasonal organically grown food
- Replace synthetic fertilisers with organic fertilisers
- Get rid of garden pest plants
- Join the Transition Nelson Business Group
- Encourage staff to support and/ or volunteer with an ECO organisation
