Working With Landcare Australia

Landcare Australia has a number of initiatives in place to help us all reduce the impact that we have on the environment and in fact to reverse the impact as well. Although there are well documented tree planting, coastal care and general environmental projects in place, there are some very simple steps that we can all take in our place of work that can make a difference. Below we list 21 very simple things that can be done. This should by no means be viewed as a complete list. If you want to get more information and want to look at developing strategies and processes to further improve your environmental efficiency in the office, then we highly recommend that you go to the landcare website or contact Landcare directly.

We at Prodocom are proud to work with Landcare and in this case promote their work. Australia is our precious home and we should take every step possible to look after it. We know that some of these initiatives and simple steps may take time to make everyday habits, but if you believe and strive to make a difference, you can. The good thing is that many of these can save your business money as well!

1. Try and switch your computer and monitor off when not in use. Do you really need to just lock your computer at night or can you turn it and your monitor off and save energy consumption?
2. Photocopy in large batches where possible. It uses less energy
3. Collect print cartridges and recycle them. It saves money and land fill.
4. Where possible turn off electrical equipment at the powerpopint. Do you really need the microwave oven to tell you the time when you're not there? It does make a difference.
5. Switch lights off when not required. Try and use as much natural light as possible.
6. Ensure light globes are replaced with energy efficient globes. Less energy used and cheaper to run.
7. If blinds or curtain are installed use them to slow heat gain in Summer and heat loss in winter.
8. Ask yourself before you do it if that print or photocopy is really necessary.
9. Where possible use double sided print. It may halve your paper usage.
10. Print or write notes on paper where one side has already been used but is no longer required. Staple together scrap paper for use as message pads.
11. Purchase recycled paper
12. Recycle your office throw away paper and cardboard products.
13. Avoid buying food in containers that can not be recycled.
14. Buy refillable products
15. Never leave taps running
16. Use a strainer in kitchen sinks to prevent solids going down the drain.
17. Recycle your mobile phones with Mobile Muster
18. To get an idea of carbon cost of activities, use the carbon calculator at www.carbonSMART.com.au
19. Consider giving small local trees as corporate gifts
20. Find out what local volunteering environmental opportunities there might be by visiting www.landcareonline.com/directory and putting in your postcode.
21. Consider your travel to work – can you use less fuel?? The average Australian car emits 4 tonnes of CO2 per year – In Australia it takes about 50 large trees to reabsorb that amount of carbon and turn it into wood, every year.