If you also pledge to do some of these actions you'll go in the Gold rewards draw.
energy actions
- Install programmable electronic thermostat/timer to automate the HVAC system
- Install heat recovery options for wasted heat
- Convert to solar hot water heating
- Give employees prizes like low energy light bulbs/ thermal cylinder wraps/bicycle for best energy saving suggestions and outcomes
- Replace old desktop computers with less energy hungry laptops
- Upgrade or install insulation in your ceiling, walls and floors (get existing insulation checked out by an expert for effectiveness) – contact Council’s Eco Building Design Advisor for advice and information on subsidies
- Use energy-efficient heating
- Replace old machines with multi-functional devices (MFD’s)-fax, photocopier, printer, scanner
- Replace stoves with microwaves which are twice as efficient
- Fit awnings or shades over windows that overheat your office
- Paint walls and ceiling with light colours to reflect light
- Install skylight(s)
- Install variable speed drives on motors wherever possible
- Buy office equipment with ‘Energy Star Rating’ stickers
- Measure your carbon footprint
transport actions
- Cycle, walk or take The Bus in Nelson or The Bus in Blenheim five times per week
- Install showers with water-efficient showerheads for employees who walk or cycle to work
- Provide training in fuel efficient driving to key staff
- Provide company bikes for staff
- Cycle any trip less than 3km distance
- Promote and incentivise carpooling to employees
- Promote and incentivise use of public transport in Nelson or public transport in Blenheim to employees
- Request suggestions from staff and provide rewards for best ones
- Source supplies and inputs locally wherever possible
- Offer teleworking to staff-set up home offices instead of providing a company car
- After reducing emission as much as possible, offset the remainder through gold standard carbon credits and through tree planting
- Ask the Nelson Environment Centre about voluntary offsets through native reforestation
- Select fuel efficient/lower emission smaller, hybrid or electric plug-in vehicles
waste actions
- Develop and implement a plan to prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle waste across your supply chain
- Adopt a sustainable supply chain/ procurement policy
- Have a glass, cardboard/paper, metal and plastic recycling bin on each floor
- Pass on any electronic equipment which can be reused
- Attend a free Council Create Your Own Eden workshop on how to grow vegetables
- Take garden waste to Council Green Waste hopper at Transfer Station
- Label product components so customers know what is recyclable
- Where appropriate provide directions on environmentally approved disposal methods
- Reuse items from old packaging e.g. polystyrene beads, boxes, carton, envelopes, shredded paper
- Enclose a note in your packaging asking recipients to reuse packaging materials
- Consider obtaining a Carbon Zero or Carbon neutral accreditation
- Minimise use of hazardous substances
water actions
- Link water and other conservation efforts to staff performance reviews
- Use visual charts and graphs to highlight water saving successes to employees
- Benchmark water use (litres per M2 or per unit of production) against similar businesses
- Install at least 3-star WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme) rated flow restrictors in taps and showers
- Replace high pressure with low pressure water wherever possible
- Replace conventional taps with tempered spray taps
- Install self-closing taps
- Install backflow prevention devices
- Install dual flush toilets
- Choose appliances with high WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme) rating
- Reuse discharge water wherever possible
- Install a wash bay and reuse water
- Install greywater systems for garden irrigation
nature actions
- Donate gardening tools, seedlings, trees etc to local community gardens
- Give staff time off to plant trees, work with non-profit organisations and provide free professional advice to community groups
- Establish a sponsorship programme to support community groups dedicated to mitigating or adapting to climate change
- Support a local seed savers group
- Sponsor an open orchard in your neighbourhood
- Hold a team building day which contributes to a practical conservation plan
- Encourage staff to become involved in biodiversity initiatives via local Council
- Adopt a threatened local habitat, plant or animal species and support its rehabilitation
- Help your neighbours/community set up a vegetable garden
- Use mulch and compost to reduce evaporation and ease stress on plants
- Install a grey-water system in your office or home garden
- Start or become part of a native tree re-vegetation programme
- After reducing emissions as much as possible, offset the remainder through gold standard carbon credits and native tree reforestation
- Ask the Nelson Environment Centre about local voluntary carbon offsets through local native reforestation projects
