Green Office Update
Have you thought about Greening your
Wardrobe?
When
we
purchase
a
garment, thinking about ecofriendly choices entails not
only
decreasing
postconsumer waste, but also preconsumer pollution. Through
smart wardrobe consumer
choices, we can diminish closet clutter and encourage
clean industries. Some tips like: shopping with a longterm and smart plan in mind; taking care of our
garments; purchasing vintage or used clothes; donating
instead of sending them to landfill; or promoting a
“Salvos Day” in the office, can reduce our
consumption of resources and our environmental
impact.
Issue 30 – November-December 2009
Highlights of the Green Office Update
Session
Antarctic Eco-tourism
Dr. John Kirkwood was our guest
speaker for November’s Update
Session. He addressed the topic
of Antarctic eco-tourism. His
presentation was filled with
beautiful photos and interesting
facts. He mentioned that Antarctica is the highest,
coldest, driest and windiest place on earth, yet the
number of tourists visiting Antarctica is increasing each
year. Dr. Kirkwood raised issues like introduction of alien
species and human impacts on this fragile and aweinspiring place.
Find out more about “greening your wardrobe” and
“Fashion
with
a
Conscience”
in:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/gogreen/wardrobe/wardrobe-organic-clothing-tips.html
and
www.fashionwithaconscience.com.au respectively.
Human Resources Division Green Team
A “Green Team” for
Human
Resources
Division (HRD) recently
joined the Green Office
Program. They consider
that this environmental
initiative will be very
important for HRD, and
are very keen to get
everyone in HRD involved. They plan to focus on paper
and energy saving activities in order to make a
difference. They hope to raise awareness and change
habits towards more pro-environmental behaviour.
HRD Green Team believe that working as a team is “the
way to go” because a collaborative and supportive
environment is created, ‘green work-loads’ are shared
and it is great for brainstorming and generating new
ideas! Good Luck HRD Green Team! All the best in
achieving your ‘green goals’!
Switch OFF Save Energy - Last work day
before your holiday break
Switch off lights and all non essential equipment, air
conditioners, computers and monitors, printers,
photocopiers and other office equipment.
Don’t forget meeting rooms, computer
laboratories, bathrooms, corridors.
Green Travel Tips – You can do your green bit these
holidays
ƒ When planning your
holidays, consider asking
questions that reflect your
concern for protecting the
environment and
respecting local culture
and communities.
ƒ Walk, Cycle, take Public
Transport and Visit Local Markets!
ƒ Support Green Star accredited accommodation
(AAA Tourism’s Green Star:
http://www.aaatourism.com.au/) and Ecocertified tourism operators
(http://www.ecotourism.org.au/eco_certification.
asp).
ƒ Give back by volunteering in an environmental
program (i.e. turtle or coral watching, fish
counting) or cleaning-up the places you go.
ƒ Find Eco-Holidays in Australia or EcoAccommodations by visiting
http://www.ecologic.com.au/ and
http://www.ecohotel.com.au/.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2010!
Everyone from Environmental Services in Property and
Facilities Division wishes you safe and happy holidays
and looks forward to your continuing involvement in the
Green Office Program throughout the New Year.
Upcoming Events
•
•
•
•
Coastcare week -1st-7th December
International Volunteer Day -5th December
International Mountain Day -11th December
Walk Against Warming – 12th December
For further information, contact Environmental Services:
ƒ Green Office Coordinator (p/t)
Ext: 69959
Email: [email protected]
ƒ Environmental Coordinator
Ext: 52076
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.pf.uq.edu.au/Ems/GrnOffPrgrm.html