If you also pledge to do some of these actions you'll go in the Silver rewards draw.
energy actions
- Develop an energy management programme
- Conduct an online energy audit
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with low energy compact fluorescent bulbs
- Install motion sensors/timer controls to turn lights off when rooms are vacated
- Install automatic daylight dimming controls
- Use targeted lighting, such as desk and standing lamps, where it is most needed
- Install fans for cooling and warming to reduce need for air conditioning
- Fit shields on external doors against rain and draughts
- Maintain equipment regularly: light fittings, HVAC system, seals, filters
- Use solar lights for outside area
- Install a time-of-use controller to turn off water heater when not needed
- Fill any gaps in your ceiling insulation
- Install automatic timers to turn off boiling and chilled water units when not needed
- Plant a deciduous tree to shade west facing windows
- Join the Transition Nelson Business Group
- Encourage staff to make a Code Red Pledge on Energy
- For business catering and corporate gifts use local and/ or Fair Trade and/ or organic food
- Use a power monitor to monitor and reduce your energy use.
- Have a professional business energy audit done
- Plug cracks around apertures, utility switches/outlets with caulking in and outside
- Insulate your hot water cylinder (unless it’s a Grade A)
- Insulate your hot water pipes (especially first 2.5m)
- Use a push mower rather than an electric or petrol one
transport actions
- Complete an efficient driving course
- Encourage staff to make a CodeRed Transport Pledge
- Ensure car fleet is regularly serviced
- Select carbon friendly transport/logistic options
- Join Sustainable Business Network’s Green Fleet programme
- Cycle, walk or take the Bus in Nelson or the Bus in Blenheim three times per week
- Provide a place for staff to store their bikes
- Encourage relevant staff to use Super Gold Card for off-peak bus travel in Nelson or use your Super Gold Card for bus travel in Blenheim
- Incentivise staff to Carpool or have a search Jayride for trips to work everyday
- Combine purchase of office supplies into one weekly car trip or delivery
- Purchase New Zealand or locally made office supplies wherever possible
- Consolidate purchases and deliveries with neighbouring businesses
- Choose to offset flights when offered
- Replace some petrol with biofuel produced sustainably
- Introduce telework into your business
- Offer bus tickets to staff in Nelson or Tasman or bus tickets to staff in Blenheim
waste actions
- Buy eco-friendly quality products which are durable/recyclable
- Select non-bleached paper from sustainable forests
- Recycle paper, plastic, metal and glass
- Provide staff with a bokashi bin for their foodwaste
- Encourage staff to make a CodeRed waste Pledge
- Contact Waste Education Services (WES) for advice on waste reduction
- Choose supplies and products with minimal or recyclable packaging
- Use less and more efficient packaging
- When you buy something new donate something used to charity
- Encourage staff to take foodwaste home for compost, bokashi or wormfarming. (NCC - Compost, Bokashi, Wormfarm or TDC Compost, Bokashi or Wormfarm)
- Compost (NCC) any organic waste from the office garden. (Or TDC Compost).
- Donate non-sensitive work paper to schools for reuse
- Recycle all print and toner cartridges and batteries
- Choose safer, greener cleaning products with less impact on waste/ground water systems
- Ensure cleaners use environmentally safer products
- Re-use by buying second-hand gifts
- If using a large wheely bin – swap for smaller bin or change collections to fortnightly rather than weekly
water actions
- Measure & audit water use to identify savings possibilities
- Install sub-metering and monitoring to track water use
- Control water flows with timers, stopcocks and manual controls
- Install water saving nozzles on taps, showers, hoses
- Wash vehicles on lawns – car shampoos pollute waterways but fertilise grass!
- Turn off automatic irrigation and only water when necessary
- In your washing bay use low volume high velocity hoses fitted with trigger guns
- Review water use by cleaners and check if it can be reduced
- Repair leaks from pipes and dripping taps immediately
- Collect rainwater for appliance cleaning, cooling system top up, flushing toilets
- Reuse cooling or boiler water for site processes
- Reward staff for best water saving ideas and outcomes
- Harvest rainwater for office lawn/garden
nature actions
- Become a corporate member of a conservation group
- Encourage staff to make a CodeRed Nature Pledge
- Use a hand mower rather than a petrol mower
- Use organic weed control on your business grounds
- Plant a fruit tree
- Choose native plants and trees which are eco-sourced from your region
- Use organic gardening techniques – do a Create Your Own Eden gardening workshop
- Choose open-pollinated seeds for future seed collection
- Turn your lawn into a no-dig garden
- Replace lawn and thirsty exotics with drought resistant natives to conserve water
- Replace garden sprinkler with drip irrigation around plant roots
- Wash vehicles on the grass/lawn- phosphates in car shampoos mimic fertilisers
- Use office plants to clean air and remove volatile organic compounds