Green Office

How to Transform your Office into one that’s Kinder to the Environment.

Published by

The Green Office Guide proudly supported by

This guide is produced by the Auckland Environmental Business Network Inc. PO Box 147 263 Ponsonby Auckland New Zealand

1A Scotland Street Freemans Bay Auckland New Zealand

09 817 2622

www.aebn.pl.net

This guide is also available on-line at www.greenoffice.org.nz, along with a directory of suppliers of eco-products and services. The AEBN’s team, Rachel Brown, Caroline Peacock produced the information contained in the guide with editing support from: 

Andrew Reeve – Sinclair Knight Merz

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Lisa Martin – URS

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Wendy Levi – Meritec



Simon Stockdale – Sustainability 21

The AEBN wishes to thank the following sponsoring organisations for their support in producing this guide: 

Auckland City Council

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Auckland Regional Council

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BRANZ

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EECA

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Fuji Xerox

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Interface Agencies

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Ministry for the Environment

We also wish to thank the great number of organisations and individuals, too numerous to mention, for their contribution to the guide. Important Note: While the AEBN has made reasonable endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the information in the Green Office Guide, it cannot be held responsible for any errors and omissions and under no circumstances shall be held liable for any injury, damage, costs or financial loss resulting from the use of this information.

Version 1.02– 2 June 2002 © Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Contents

Staff Café or Kitchen................................................................ ..1 Fitting Energy and Water Efficient Appliances & Fixtures...................1 Choose Energy and Water Efficient Appliances........................................... .................1 Reduce the Volume of Water.............................................................................. ..........2

Supplying Organic Foods.................................. ................................2 Buying Locally Made................................................................. ........2 Reducing packaging............................................ .............................2 Recycling Kitchen Waste ....................................................... ...........3 Guidelines for Caterers......................................................... ............3

Office Equipment, Furniture & Stationery............................ ........4 Key Issues to Consider when Purchasing...........................................4 Rules of Thumb for Purchasing Office Equipment...............................5 Choose Equipment that is Designed to Last.......................................................... .......5 Pay only for the Features you Really Need................................................. ..................5 Is Leasing a Better Option?...................................................................... ....................5 Choose the Right Equipment Mix.............................................................. ...................5 Buy New Zealand made............................................................................... ................5 Use Equipment Wisely.................................................................... .............................5 Have a Regular Maintenance Schedule for Equipment.......................................... .......5 Turn Equipment off when Not In Use........................................................... .................6

Choosing a computer............................................................... .........7 Specify What you Want............................................................................... .................7 Make sure you can UPGRADE your Computer................................... ...........................7 Check Warranties and Service Support.................................................... ....................7 Which Manufacturer?............................................................................... ....................7 Buying Second-hand computers...................................................... ............................8

Reusing Disks and CDs.................................. ...................................8 Choosing Photocopiers.......................................... ...........................8 Getting rid of your old Photocopier....................................................... .......................8

Choosing a Printer......................................................................... ...8 Choosing a Fax...................................................................... ...........9 Improve Indoor Air Quality & Reducing Electromagnetic Fields...........9 Office Furniture................................................................. .............10 Second hand dealers................................................................. ................................10 Issues for new furniture............................................................... ..............................10 Desks.......................................................................................................... ...............10 Solid Wood Desks.................................................................................................. .....10 Particleboard Furniture...................................................................................... .........10 Chairs......................................................................................................................... 10

Stationery............................................................................. .........10 Paper......................................................................................................................... .10

Letterhead, Business cards and other printed materials...................11 Reassess if you really need to print! .................................................. .......................12

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Design your Document to reduce waste:............................................ .......................12 Specify 'Green' Printing:..................................................................................... ........12 Tell others about it!................................................................................... .................12 Paper Correction Fluid.................................................................................... ............12 Envelopes........................................................................................ ..........................12 Folders, file boxes, dividers etc................................................................. .................13 Indices & post-its............................................................................. ..........................13 Pens & Pencils................................................................................................ ............13 Pen holders............................................................................................ ....................13

Mobile phones....................................................................... .........13 Health..................................................................................................... ...................13 Environment................................................................................. .............................13

Cameras.................................................. ......................................14 Battery Powered Electrical Equipment.............................................14 Diaries........................................................................................ ...............................14 Sticky Tape....................................................................................................... ..........14 Stapler................................................................................................. ......................14 Rubber Stamps & Ink........................................................................ .........................14 Storage Boxes (or Gift boxes)................................................................................. ....14

Ten Simple Steps................................... ..................................15 1- Measure how much you use & how much you waste!....................15 2- Save paper ~ Think before you print. ................................. .........15 3- Save toner............................................. ....................................16 4 - Save energy................................................... ...........................16 5- Recycle as much as you can!.......................................................16 6- Share Stationery................................... .....................................16 7- Re-use Office Supplies ................................. ..............................16 8- Buy Recycled Products...................................................... ..........17 9- Return to Sender.................................................... ....................17 10 - Share Ideas and Keep Improving.............................................. .17

Bathroom......................................................... .......................18 Upgrade Lighting........................................................................... .18 Check for Leaks.................................................................. ............18 Reduce volume of water in toilets...................................................18 Reassess Urinals, Showers & Taps...................................................18 Look for Efficient Ways of Drying Hands..........................................19 Cotton Hand Towels..................................................................... ..............................19 Electric Hand Dryers............................................................................ ......................19 Disposable Paper Towels....................................................................... .....................19

Cleaners and Cleaning Services................................................20 Maximise Personal Health and Safety..............................................20 Minimise Environmental Impacts. ..................................................20

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Minimise Packaging........................................................ ................20 Avoid Synthetic Dyes & Fragrances.................................................21 Environmental Label Accreditation..................................................21 Look for Safe alternatives................................................ ...............21

Building, Surrounds & Fittings...................................... ............22 Get the Location Right................................................... .................23 Design for the Sun....................................................................... ...23 Minimise Earthworks..................................... .................................23 Minimise Construction Waste................................. .........................24 Design to Minimise Waste.......................................................................... ................24 Dealing With Waste............................................................................................ ........24

Choose Materials Carefully........................................................... ...24 Timber......................................................................................... ..............................24

Alternative Energy Sources......................................................26 Sun Power............................................ .........................................26

Lighting............................................. .....................................27 Conduct a Simple Audit............................................................... ....27 Assess Lighting Requirements........................................................27 Upgrade Fittings or Bulbs................................. ..............................27 Fit Timers or Sensors............................................................... .......28 Encourage Energy Saving Behaviours..............................................28

Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) Systems......................28 Maximise Natural Ventilation..........................................................28 Look after HVAC Systems..................................................... ...........28 Opt for Simple Heat Exchange Systems...........................................29 Insulate your Office.................................................. ......................29

Reduce Hot Water Demand.............................................. .........29 Assess Layout & Design............................................ ......................29 Don’t use it................................................................. ...................30 Use it wisely.................................................................................. .30 Use Alternative Energy Sources......................................................30

Conserve Water.............................................. .........................30 Maintain your system....................................... ..............................30

Paints and Oils............................. ...........................................30 Paints...................................................................... ......................30 Oils........................................................................................... .....30

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Floors & Coverings............................................................. ......31 Uncovered floors..................................................... .......................31 Timber Flooring ............................................................................................. ............31 Look For Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification ...........................................31

Floor Coverings........................................................ ......................32 Carpets............................................................................... ...........32 About the material and the manufacturer............................................................ ......32 During its use......................................................................................................... ....32

Office Gardens.................................................................... .....33 Composting or Worm-Farming............................................................................. .......33

Reduce Stormwater Runoff................................................. ......33

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Staff Café or Kitchen Greening the staff café or kitchen can involve using energy and water efficient fittings, selling locally produced organic food to composting and recycling wastes. For more detailed information: Fitting Energy and Water Efficient Appliances & Fixtures Supplying Organic Foods Buying Locally Made Reducing Packaging Recycling Kitchen Waste Guidelines for Caterers

Fitting Energy and Water Efficient Appliances & Fixtures Choose Energy and Water Efficient Appliances Purchase AAA - ‘triple A’ and Energy Rating labelled appliances 

Purchase highest possible ’A’ rating. .A dishwasher with the ‘triple A’ rating uses water efficiently.

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Purchase highest possible Energy Rating e.g. a fridge or dishwasher with more stars uses less electricity

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Buy new "Smart" appliances that use "fuzzy logic" to think ahead, e.g. refrigerators that adjust temperatures to suit individual opening habits, or dishwashers and washing machines that control water levels according to load.

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Build in a range hood or extractor fan to eliminate cooking smells and moisture.

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Install a switch that automatically turns storage cupboard lights on and off when door opens and closes.

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Conduct regular maintenance check-ups, checking for leaks or faulty appliances. Make sure that staff knows who to report to if leaks are found.

Special Note:

EnergyStar features are part of the US EPA programme for office equipment (sleep mode, power down, etc). Equipment either has EnergyStar features, or it does not. There is no rating system as such. EECA are the NZ agents for the US EPA for the EnergyStar programme. The Energy Rating scheme is a different system to the EnergyStar. The Energy Rating scheme covers actual energy consumption. It is used mainly for white-ware and domestic appliances, but it is being expanded. It is a combined scheme between NZ and Australia. It will be compulsory in NZ from 1 April 2002 for shops to display the energy label all appliances covered by the scheme.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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Triple A - AAA is for water efficiency and does not cover energy (although it does indirectly for the Council pumping station). AAA is about to be upgraded to an AAAAA system. It is an Australian system for which there is no NZ agent. Avoid 

Fridges that contain CFC’s of HCFC’s – which damage the ozone layer.

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Unnecessary appliances – e.g. electric can openers.

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A ‘waste disposal unit’ – they use water unnecessarily to get rid of valuable material, which should be composted, or worm farmed!

Reduce the Volume of Water  Flow restrictions are cheap, easy to fit and reduce the water flow; not only do you use less water but you also save energy by using less hot water. Some companies can design packages tailored to your office requirements, ensuring that both the temperature and flow system are appropriately controlled. 

Install low flow tap systems to reduce water consumption.

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A pressure limiting value can be used to reduce the pressure at the point where the town supply enters the property, reducing the pressure to all outlets.

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Aerators are another option to consider improving the quality of water stream. Aerators simply mix the water with air resulting in a lower flow from your tap.

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Install water filters to deliver optimum quality drinking water.

Supplying Organic Foods The Staff Café or kitchen is a great way of promoting healthy eating within your work environment. The production of food rates pretty highly as an activity that degrades our environment, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce that. Organic food is not only better for you, but it is produced without the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides, thereby protecting our environment and also providing tastier and more nutritious food. For further reading on diet and health www.nhf.org.nz Also consider: 

Using natural pest deterrents e.g. a Bay Leaf and herbs in dry foods to deter weevils.

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Using a food-safe to keep out insects

Buying Locally Made Buy local fresh food that is in season. Transporting food across the country uses energy, decreases the food's vitality and increases the chances of food wastage.

Reducing packaging Packaging can be handy for takeaways, and a good package will avoid food waste. However, much food is excessively packaged so consider the following:

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Buy your beverage supplies - sugar, milk, etc. - in bulk. Avoid single serves such as individually wrapped teabags and sugar sachets.

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Bring your own! Have reusable containers and bags available for staff takeaways.

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Insulated mugs with lids will last for hundreds of coffees - that's at least a week!

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Strike a deal with a local café for staff discounts when they bring their own containers.

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Plastics can leach chemicals into food - provide glass dishes especially for microwave heat-ups.

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Choose recycled content packaging or packaging that you will be able to recycle.

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Use mugs or glasses rather than disposable cups.

Recycling Kitchen Waste It is important to make recycling systems easy to understand and use: 

Install clearly labelled storage units with an easily operated lids to simplify waste separation of: 

Food scraps

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Paper/cardboard

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Plastics

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Aluminium or steel/tin containers.

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Non recyclable waste

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Make food scraps not too large

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Choose a convenient, sunny place for your compost bin.

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Integrate the recycling system into the kitchen design/layout.

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Make sure al staff are aware of what is to be recycled and where the bins are located.

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Clearly label recycling bins and put up plenty of posters encouraging people to recycle.

Guidelines for Caterers If getting caterers in for a party or meeting make sure you give them clear environmental guidelines prior to accepting their quote for work: 

Supply organic, locally or New Zealand grown produce

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Buy local fresh and seasonal food whenever possible

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Provide food packaging that is made from paper or card or potato starch, which are all compostable.

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Separated recycling bins in café - food, paper, plastics, glass, aluminium cans and other

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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Office Equipment, Furniture & Stationery Keeping your office supplied with machinery & stationary can be expensive. It also comes at a cost to the environment. Computers, copiers, printers, faxes consume a huge amount of energy and materials when they are manufactured and while they are used. They also create heat, which causes air conditioning systems to work harder. Click for more information Key Issues to Consider when Purchasing Rules of Thumb for Purchasing Office Equipment Choosing a Computer Reusing Diskettes & CDs Choosing Photocopiers Choose a Printer Choosing a Fax Indoor Air Quality & Reducing Electromagnetic Fields Office Furniture Stationery Mobile Phones Cameras Battery Powered Electrical Equipment

Key Issues to Consider when Purchasing Greening your office challenges you to think about whether your organisations’ ‘needs’ can be met in different ways. 

Can we lease, share or swap instead of purchasing?

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Does the product have an environmental, energy rating or water-rating label?

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Does the product have EnergyStar features or a ‘sleep’ mode for when it is not being used?

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Does the supplier have good environmental credentials?

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Is upgrading, reconditioning or extending the useful life of our current model a better option?

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How long will this particular product last?

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Will it be easily repaired or upgraded?

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Are we paying for features we don't need and won't use?

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How much energy or materials will it use?

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Does the product contain recycled materials?

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Can this product be recycled, sold or donated when we've finished with it?

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Does it come with too much packaging?

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We’ve done some of this work for you and included suppliers in our Green Pages.

Rules of Thumb for Purchasing Office Equipment Actively purchasing 'greener' products or services is a complex task and can be time consuming for any purchaser making informed environmental choices. Looking for third party accredited labels provides credible, verifiable information on the environmental claims of products and services. If there isn’t a suitable piece of equipment that has a eco-label, then you should consider the following: Choose Equipment that is Designed to Last Look for design features that support upgrade, repair and remanufacture. How will your business needs change in the next 3 to 5 years? Pay only for the Features you Really Need Many offices pay extra for models with features they hardly ever use. Is it more economical to buy a simpler model and outsource more complex or demanding jobs? Is Leasing a Better Option? Leasing instead of buying outright can give your business better cash flow and greater flexibility. An 'operating lease' (as opposed to a 'financial lease') means the supplier has a commercial interest in maintaining your equipment! Choose the Right Equipment Mix The distinction between what you can do with photocopiers, printers, faxes and computers is starting to blur. Having fewer pieces of equipment can save you money and lessen your environmental impact. Buy New Zealand made Most office equipment is no longer made in New Zealand – however some is. It’s much better to buy products that are locally made or assembled to reduce transport. Use Equipment Wisely Think before you copy or print. Print using ‘draft’ feature to reduce toner use. Turn it off when its not being used. Some printers and photocopiers can print on both sides of the paper (duplex printing) which halves the amount of paper used and reduces the space required in filing systems. Have a Regular Maintenance Schedule for Equipment  Ensure that all equipment is serviced and maintained regularly to ensure efficiency and no escape of fumes from chemicals. 

Fix small problems before they become big expensive problems.

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Ensure that operating equipment is in well-ventilated rooms.

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Don’t forget to include the maintenance contractor on your green suppliers list – what are their policies and practices?

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Turn Equipment off when Not In Use

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Choosing a computer Some computer manufacturers are designing their computers to be easily dissembled, or are taking responsibility of the end of life cycle of computers, and looking at issues concerning recycling or the reusing the equipment. Ensure that your system has EnergyStar features, and that you learn how to enable them. Specify What you Want Buy a system that suits your needs – don’t buy features that you won’t use. {Contact the Consumers Institute for more information}. Make sure you can UPGRADE your Computer To avoid waste and get the most from your outlay, make sure you know: 

Which parts can be upgraded or expanded, memory, disk space etc?

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How easy is it to access the components for repair or an upgrade?

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Compact computers e.g. laptops often have limited upgrade options and can be costly to repair than desktop models. However they do use a lot less energy, and produce a lot less heat, which means less energy for cooling.

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If the rechargeable battery in laptop computer no longer holds its charge, it may benefit from a rejuvenation process developed by Millennium Batteries.

Check Warranties and Service Support Check out warranty and service support offers and also find out about charges on replacement parts after the warranty has expired. An extended warranty, if available, can be a sound investment. Which Manufacturer? The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition conducts an annual survey of computer manufacturers and publishes a report card. The report card analyses the information on the web-sites of computer companies to compare and measure the environmental qualities of electronic equipment and the environmental performance of companies. Grading environmental performance is also intended to encourage brand-name firms to place information concerning various attributes of corporate "clean and green" responsibility on their web-sites, thereby allowing consumers to make more informed decisions. In the 2001 Report Card the top manufacturers, based on their activities in the United States, were: 1. Canon

4. Fujitsu

2. Toshiba

5. Sony

3. IBM

6. NEC

7. Hewlett Packard 8. Brother 9. Apple

For more information on the issues and evaluation criteria used visit www.svtc.org.

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Buying Second-hand computers You may be able to buy what you want for half the price. But once again, do your homework.

Reusing Disks and CDs Old floppy disks, which otherwise might be called waste can be wiped and reformatted for reuse. Rewritable CDs are recommended as a 'low waste' tool for storing data from regular backups.

Choosing Photocopiers Purchasing the right photocopier, with a good service agreement, will result in reduced paper use, air pollution and land-fill space. You also should consider if you can share a copiers with a neighbour or whether it is more cost effective to outsource your copying. . The main considerations are: 

Choose the right capacity. E.g. copy speed & monthly volume.

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Only get the features you need – but look for opportunities to expand… Can you add paper-handling features such as document feeders and sorters?

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Compare your running costs of small copiers with larger capacity ones.

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Ask your supplier if they collect or refill or recycle toner cartridges.

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Look for EnergyStar energy saving features – for example a power-down feature when the copier is not in use.

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Ask for a duplexing unit (this can print on both sides of the paper).

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Make sure you can use recycled paper in your copier.

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Locate you copier away from workspaces to avoid ozone emissions.

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Can the copier also print directly from a PC and act as a printer?

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Find out if your manufacturer will recycle or remanufacture toner cartridges before you buy.

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Think about buying a second-hand or reconditioned copier. They are far cheaper and often just as reliable for smaller volumes.

Getting rid of your old Photocopier Contact the manufacturer first and see if they have a take back or recycling programme; contact the Recycling Operators of New Zealand (www.ronz.org.nz) if they don’t. Next time make sure your supplier takes it back for remanufacture and avoid the headache of dealing with old equipment.

Choosing a Printer Choose a printer that is efficient with both ink (toner) and paper. 

Buy a printer with a long warranty - 3 years is recommended.

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Include a duplex (double-sided printing) facility to save paper.

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Look for printers that can print multiple pages per sheet (useful for printing presentations and large reports)

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Buy an EnergyStar Rated Printer.

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Make sure your ink (toner) cartridge can be refilled or remanufactured

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For colour printers a separate toner cartridge for each colour (red, yellow and cyan) may be cheaper to operate than a combined colour cartridge.

Hot tip: Generally laser printers are more expensive to buy but have a lower cost per page than ink-jet and bubble-jet printers. Cheaper running costs and less waste can be achieved when you buy a laser printer with long life print drum and also buy remanufactured cartridges.

Choosing a Fax Fax machines are a common feature in any office. Faxing itself isn’t bad, they use minimal electricity; eliminate the need for envelopes, labels and stamps. It’s just how you fax that makes the difference. Buy a plain paper fax machine as you can use Goose (Good on one-side) paper in them. 

Use a recycled fax paper

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Can you send and receive faxes direct from PC and avoid the need for a fax machine altogether? (Often an old PC can be re-used as a fax server)

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Design small cover sheet or don’t use one at all!

Improve Indoor Air Quality & Reducing Electromagnetic Fields 

Buy products that have low or no formaldehyde, trichloroethylene or benzene in them.

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Put air cleaning plants in your office some of the recommended indoor varieties are: Peace Lilly, Dracina, mother-in-law’s tongue, English ivy, Chinese fern, parlour palms. If you have more light then choose spider plants or flowering plants (e.g. chrysanthemums or azaleas)

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Ensure sufficient air exchange through good ventilation. No matter how hard you try there will always be indoor air pollutants. It is important that they can escape from the building. (Contact BRANZ for information on Building code regulations)

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Use cleaning agents that are low in volatile organic content (check out the product label for VOC content)

For those concerned about electromagnetic fields, (these are created by any electricity – copiers, computers etc.), consider the following: 

Smart wiring using low voltage electronic signals from switches to a centrally controlled computer.

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Increase your own distance from the source (e.g. computer screen). E.g. Design light fittings at least one metre apart and at least one metre from people.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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Office Furniture When choosing furniture for your office consider the following: 

Can you get it second-hand?

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What are the life cycle issues associated your furniture?

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Is it ergonomically designed thereby reducing the risk of OOS (occupational overuse syndrome) or posture or other health problems?

Second hand dealers There are a huge number of second hand office suppliers. You can get some excellent furniture at great prices from these dealers. Any furniture you buy meets OSH regulations for health and safety and won’t result in workplace injuries. Issues for new furniture Think about the many issues associated with the raw materials, VOCs, manufacture, transport and use of the furniture (consider its life cycle) Desks Solid Wood Desks  Make sure it is not made from a tropical hardwood. 

Look for ‘FSC certified’ timbers from suppliers that practice sustainable forest management.

Particleboard Furniture  Ask for formaldehyde-free, or low formaldehyde particleboard or options with non-toxic preservatives. Chairs When purchasing a new chair look for an ergonomic design that will provide good back support. Also, ask the supplier or manufacturer if they have considered any of the following: 

Product life cycle assessment

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Minimal toxicity in glues and materials

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Maximise re-usability of components & materials

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Re-upholstery or refurbishment services

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Furniture leasing option

You can also consider donating any surplus office equipment to schools (esp. lowdecile schools), not for profit organisations, or pass onto second hand dealers.

Stationery There are plenty of opportunities to green your office stationery. Paper "The paperless office is as far away as the paperless toilet"! © Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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When choosing a paper make sure think about the following: 

Buy recycled

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Buy chlorine free (TCF)

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Buy NZ made

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Look for an Environmental Label

Buy Recycled

You can choose between pre-consumer of post-consumer recycled content. The higher the recycled content the better, although some quality papers sometimes limit the recycled content to 80% as recycled paper fibre is shorter than virgin fibre! Remember For every tonne of recycled paper we save 17 trees, 42,000kwh of electricity, 26,000 of water and about 27kgs of air pollutants (source Fuji Xerox). 

Pre-consumer: Material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. The paper sourced from companies is generally of high quality, providing a regular supply and would otherwise be disposed if in the landfill, if it wasn't collected.

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Post-consumer: Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities. Much of this is collected as mixed grades of paper, which include newspaper, office paper, magazines and cardboard packaging.1

Buy Chlorine Free 

Elemental Chlorine Free (contains some chlorine derivatives) versus Totally Chlorine Free (TCF contains no chlorine compounds). Chlorine free may also be referred to as “Oxygen Bleached”.

Buy New Zealand Made 

There are a few papers still made in New Zealand. Some are recycled. In terms of transport usage, an Australian recycled paper would be the next best thing.

Look for an Environmental Label 

Some papers come with an environmental label (e.g. Nordic Swan Environmental Label certification from Europe)

Remember: Reuse or recycle (where you cannot avoid) all waste paper. It means savings in stationery bills, as well as reduced disposal fees.

Letterhead, Business cards and other printed materials A simple way of reducing the environmental impacts associated with printing of business cards, letterhead and other materials is to adopt a green print purchasing policy. 1

Information sourced from the Southern Sydney Waste Board

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The printing industry uses hazardous chemicals for inks etc, requires energy and water, and generates waste. In encouraging cleaner practices, opportunities exist for printers to reduce the environmental and health and safety impacts, increase productivity and reduce cost. By specifying greener printing you can encourage printers to operate in a cleaner and safer standards. Printing Industries NZ has a downloadable guide in the Industry Links section of its web site. The three ways of reducing the environmental impact associated with printing are: Reassess if you really need to print!  Can you use the Internet or e-mail instead? 

Is a printed document the right medium for your information?

Design your Document to reduce waste:  Reduce your paper needs by maximising margins and avoid large amounts of colour to minimise ink requirements 

Choose the right paper for the job

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Avoid laminates & other toxic finishes

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Think about how you plan to distribute your finished product

Specify 'Green' Printing:  Specify recycled paper with a high post-consumer content or chlorine free. 

Ask for mineral oil free inks (100% vegetable based ink)

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Use 100% recycled black ink

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Ask about safe cleaners - vegetable cleaning agents (VCA's)

Tell others about it!  Always put an environmental message on your printed material e.g. “Printed on recycled paper using mineral oil free inks”. Paper Correction Fluid Some correction fluids contain hazardous solvents such as trichloroethylene. A few alternatives exist including: 

Opt for low toxic water-based correction fluid, or

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Simply avoid using it!

Envelopes  Buy recycled content envelopes 

Select window envelopes that contain ‘glassine’, a wood fibre product, which is recyclable, as opposed to plastic windows.

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Use a reusable, resealable envelope for return mail rather than an additional ‘reply paid’ envelope.

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Print addresses directly onto the envelope to avoid self adhesive labels

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Purchase ‘reuse address labels’ to reuse envelopes.

Folders, file boxes, dividers etc Folders (e.g. Binders, Lever arches or Ring binders) 

Buy cardboard rather than plastic binders

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Look for ones that use recycled card (no glues or solvents only sizing agents)

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Look for environmental certification (e.g. Blue Angle certification from Europe)

Indices & post-its The general rules apply: 

Buy board or paper dividers rather than plastic

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Buy recycled card (no glues or solvents only sizing agents)

Pens & Pencils  Buy refillable pens or pencils 

Encourage staff to label pens and to be responsible for not loosing them

Pen holders Why not make your own out of: 

Used tins, or

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Empty boxes, or

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Other interesting containers.

Mobile phones Mobile phones have become a common tool in business, however along with this are a set of environmental and health concerns. Health For those concerned about the health effects of mobile phone we recommend you: 

Minimise the length of calls

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Use a hands free kit to keep the phone away from your body

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Ask your supplier ‘Specific Absorption Rates’ provided with all new phones

Environment Cell phone batteries contain nickel and cadmium and should not be disposed of in the normal waste system. Some mobile phone manufacturers are now collecting old batteries and phones for safe disposal. In May 2001 Nokia launched it New Zealand recycling scheme to encourage customers to recycle phone, batteries and accessories. Both Telecom NZ and Vodafone also offer a battery disposal service and are currently offering credits against new phones and prize draws as incentives. Simply return it to Telecom or Vodafone or one of their authorised dealers and it will be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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Visit the Auckland Regional Council website for disposal of any other hazardous wastes.

Cameras To avoid the wastage associated with production, development and printing of conventional photographic film we suggest you opt for a digital camera.

Battery Powered Electrical Equipment Walkmans, dictaphones, calculators etc mainly require batteries to operate. We recommend that you: 

Purchase solar powered equipment (e.g. calculators, radios) or



Purchase rechargeable batteries with a battery re-charger.



If the rechargeable battery in lap-top computer no longer holds its charge, it may benefit from a rejuvenation process developed by Millennium Batteries.

Diaries At the end of each year diaries are updated. This creates waste : 

Purchase a quality refillable diary but only get the sections you need and will use.



Some computer programmes have a diary or scheduler, which means you can print out your schedule on a monthly or weekly basis – as is needed.

Sticky Tape Combining a material (e.g. plastic, cellulose, and fibre) makes sticky tape with a sticky substrate. Some companies who make sticky tape are looking at the life cycle impacts of their products, (e.g. recovering solvent for reuse). We recommend you: 

Opt for Cellulose (Cellulose is a plant fibre) and is biodegradable.



Buy locally made products from manufacturers who are recovering solvents.

Stapler There is a range of staplers from which to choose (e.g. electric or manual). 

Use a manual stapler that meets your size requirements.



Buy locally made or assembled stapler

Rubber Stamps & Ink A number of stamps are used in offices (e.g. draft, received, file stamps.) 

Look for ‘safe’ or vegetable based inks.



Look for refillable ink cartridge.

Storage Boxes (or Gift boxes)  Choose recycled card (no glues or solvents only sizing agents) 

Look for an eco-label

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 14

Ten Simple Steps 1. Measure how much you use & how much you waste! 2. Save paper ~ think before you print 3. Save toner 4. Save energy 5. Recycle as much as you can! 6. Share stationery 7. Re-use Office Supplies 8. Buy recycled products 9. Return to sender 10.Share ideas and keep improving

1- Measure how much you use & how much you waste! 

Keep track of the number of copies you make. Use the counter on your machine to work out just how much paper is being used. Prepare to be surprised!



Calculate the weight and volume of paper used in your office each year and let your staff know how much they use



As you go through your green office programme you’ll be surprised how much paper you can save… and how much money you can save your office!

2- Save paper ~ Think before you print. 

Use your print preview software: in any Microsoft Office application select 'File - Print Preview'.



Avoid making multiple copies of large documents with summary pages, PowerPoint presentations, online documentation and email.



Always check on screen for errors before you print.



When printing conduct a print preview, to make sure efficient paragraphing and pages are correct. Choose the correct font size for your printing, and use the function 'shrink to fit' to use the paper adequately.



Combine accounts to have just one mail out rather than several.



Edit and re-script your invoice system and ask your suppliers to do the same.



Minimise Office Paper Waste by using the phone, or via email rather than written.



Double sided printing and photocopying.



Print multiple pages per sheet for presentations and the like.



Update mailing address list - delete any that are out of date.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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

Print company cards rather than individual cards that may only be wasted.

3- Save toner 

Draft quality printouts use less toner. Select 'draft' printouts when using the 'Print' command on your computer – this is usually changed under Printer Options on the Windows Print Dialog box.



You can even set your printer to make draft prints by default.



Tailor the size of paper to the length of your message.

4 - Save energy 

Make sure all computers and other office equipment are turned off when they are not being used and that lights are turned off when natural light is sufficient.



Use energy efficient light bulbs where possible.



Make sure energy saving features on PCs, printers and photocopiers are enabled.



Use the stairs rather than a lift!



Change the thermostat on the heating or air-conditioning.



Use blinds to reduce solar gain in summer and save on air conditioning costs.



Don’t fill the kettle to make a single cup of coffee.

5- Recycle as much as you can! 



Check what items are picked up by your local authority’s kerb-side collection, if it has one. All paper including used office paper, newspapers and cardboard.



Plastics.



Cans & glass.



Compostable materials.



Mobile phones & batteries.



Office equipment.

6- Share Stationery 

Encourage staff to share and circulate copies of reports rather than issuing separate copies .



Share staplers, hole punches etc. rather than owning one each!

7- Re-use Office Supplies 

Set-up a stationery 'reuse centre' or 'exchange spot' for unwanted stationery.



Paper (reuse both sides of the paper, and then recycle).



Ring binders – transfer archive contents to manila folders.



Envelopes and parcel packaging with reuse labels.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 16



Reuse cardboard cartoons.



Refill pens and tape dispensers.



Reuse scrap copy paper as notepads.



Reuse envelopes and look for design features that support reuse - for example resealable envelopes, or space for multiple addresses.



Reuse file indexes.

8- Buy Recycled Products 

Buy recycled paper and paper based products. Check to make sure your photocopier supplier endorses the use of recycled content paper and remanufactured toner cartridges before you buy. Some recycled content papers are recommended or guaranteed in low volume but not high volume printers.



Buy recycled waste paper bins.

9- Return to Sender 

Ask suppliers to take unwanted packaging back for reuse.



Ask your packaging supplier about a returnable credit system.



Reduce the use of fax cover sheets, when details are usually in the letter itself.

10 - Share Ideas and Keep Improving 

While greening your office you might find better ways of reducing waste, water or energy – share your ideas with others.



Look at other green office initiatives in this guide to keep your programme going!

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 17

Bathroom There are a number of water and energy efficiency options that can reduce the running costs of bathrooms (e.g. toilet and shower facilities). Very few organisations monitor their water consumption even though a leaking tap can waste around 200 litres a day. There are a number of ways of increasing both water and energy efficiency in bathrooms: Upgrade Lighting Check for Leaks Reduce volume of water in toilets Reassess Urinals, Showers & Taps Look for Efficient ways of Drying Hands

Upgrade Lighting 

Install sensor light or energy efficient bulbs



Leave the lights off if there is a window

Check for Leaks 

Check all taps and pipes for leaks - turn off all water using appliances, even that of the toilet, check water meter, do not use water for an hour and then recheck water meter to see if it has increased, if so water is leaking in an area. Find leak, and repair, you may need a plumber.



Repair leaking taps and toilets - with a new washer. To check toilet cistern put food colouring in system and see if any colouring leaks through to the bowl.



Never leave taps running

Reduce volume of water in toilets 

Make sure all appliances and fittings have an AAA rating.



Install a dual flush toilet system.



Place a lead weight, or bottles filled with water, into the toilet cistern or



Bend the ball-cock to reduce the volume of water in the cistern.

Reassess Urinals, Showers & Taps Urinals can waste huge amounts of water, as often they leak or are set to flush too frequently. We suggest you: 

For Automatic flush – set to flush once or twice an hour, and turned off outside office hours



Install sensors which know when they need to flush



Install a new waterless urinal



Check and maintain urinals regularly.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 18

Showers consume the significant amounts of hot water, however you can still have an effective shower with less water. 

Install a water efficient, low flow showerhead, AAA rated.



Use aerators, which mix water and air to reduce water flow, onto all taps



Install sensors on taps that turn off automatically when not used.



Install an instantaneous gas or electric water heater, not a storage cylinder.



Use Sun Power by installing a solar water heater to preheat incoming water.



Reduce soap waste by providing a soap dispenser

Look for Efficient Ways of Drying Hands Providing the most environmentally friendly method for drying hands can be difficult as people can be very fussy about what you provide. Hygiene is obviously an important issue here. A life cycle analysis would have to be done to examine the best options comparing energy (including embodied energy), water, cleaners and waste creation. Cotton Hand Towels Cotton hand towels, either the dispenser towels, or individual towels are probably the best option in terms of waste reduction, and also hygienic. Washing towels in low toxic or safe cleaners improves the environmental performance of this option. In a smaller office, after washing cotton hand towels, drying them on a clothes line, instead of a dryer, will also reduce the overall environmental impact. Electric Hand Dryers Providing energy efficient electric hand dryer will reduce waste and the need for washing or drying of towels. Newer hand dryers are much more efficient and effective than older models. Compare the energy ratings on dryers when purchasing. Disposable Paper Towels Disposable paper towels are sometimes cited as the most hygienic option for hand drying. However, paper towels create waste and can be very untidy if not managed properly. 

Purchase recycled paper towels



Used hand towels can be composted in a commercial composting unit

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 19

Cleaners and Cleaning Services Cleaning chemicals can negatively impact on the environment as well as people’s health. Following are tips to help you decide which products to buy; it does not provide guidance on HOW to use the products, which should be supplied by the distributor. If choosing cleaning services for your office, then ensure the contractor uses the safest, least damaging products. Include the following points in your contracts: Maximise Personal Health and Safety Minimise Environmental Impacts Minimise Packaging Avoid Synthetic Dyes & Fragrances Environmental Label Accreditation Look for Safe Alternatives

Maximise Personal Health and Safety Since cleaning crews are frequently exposed to chemicals in cleaning products, preference should be given to products that minimise risks to human safety, e.g. avoid products containing ingredients (harsh solvents) that are: 

Highly toxic,



Cancer-causing,



Flammable, or



Prone to cause serious skin irritation, respiratory problems or damage nasal membranes.

Minimise Environmental Impacts. The chemicals in many cleaning products end up in local wastewater systems, and eventually in waterways, therefore choose products that minimise the environmental impact. Cleaners should be: 

Free of phosphates, Nitrilotriacetic acid, Ammonia



Free of substances that contribute to ozone depletion (Volatile Organic Compounds.)



Made from plant-based ingredients, a renewable resource.

Minimise Packaging The environmental impact of packaging can be significantly reduced by: 

Choose cleaners sold in reusable and/or recycled content packaging;



Buying in bulk and as a concentrate;



Avoid aerosol containers (which are flammable and may contain ozone depleting substances);



Seek and use good consumer information on safe use and disposal options

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 20

Avoid Synthetic Dyes & Fragrances Many cleaner contain unnecessary synthetic dyes and fragrances. In some cases these are added for safety reasons, but some may create allergic reactions or skin irritations.

Environmental Label Accreditation Choosing greener, safer cleaners is a complicated task. To reduce confusion Environmental Choice New Zealand is developing criteria for labelling of cleaning products.

Look for Safe alternatives There are cleaning systems that do not require any cleaning compounds and rely on the action of special cloths. These systems completely reduce the need for cleaners.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 21

Building, Surrounds & Fittings A building can be designed to reduce its environmental impacts e.g. energy, water and other resource use. There are many ways to create sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings. Important choices can be made at every stage from design through to construction and the materials or products used inside. The main issues to consider in the design stage are: Get the Location Right Design for the Sun Minimise Earthworks Minimise Construction Waste Choose Materials Carefully Then consider what’s going into the building… Alternative Energy Sources Lighting Heating, Ventilation & Cooling Systems Reduce Hot Water Demand Conserve Water Paints and Oils Floors & Coverings and what’s surrounding the building Office Gardens Reduce Stormwater Run-off

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 22

Get the Location Right Whether building new premises, or simply relocating to another building, choosing a good location is critical. From an environmental, as well as peoplefriendly point of view the following should be considered: 

Access to public transport (train, ferry, bus or cycle ways)



Existing vegetation to provide temperature control and improved air quality (as well as providing a more pleasant environment for staff during breaks)



Consider other accessibility issues (e.g. wheelchair access)



Consider noise and air quality from neighbours, roads etc

For more information on urban design {link to councils and consultants}

Design for the Sun The main idea with office building is to keep the heat out, i.e. minimising solar gain! See Passive Solar Design (note that small office buildings act the same as large homes) The office equipment and lighting will generally make cooling a bigger requirement than heating. Engage a professional designer and engineer (for larger projects). Some of the issues to consider are: Maximise natural ventilation and cooling through good orientation and cleverly places windows and vents. E.g. Letting air in through vents near the ground on the southern side and out through clerestory windows. Minimise glazing on the western side (or provide shading) to avoid afternoon overheating. Use exposed mass (such as concrete) to create a more stable indoor temperature. Insulate to levels higher than the current codes require. (See www.waitakere.govt.nz and refer to the Better Building Code)

Minimise Earthworks Major earthworks can have a negative impact of streams and waterways. There are a number of ways of reducing this including: 

Designing the building to conform to the natural contours of the land.



Stabilise earthworks by grassing/ vegetation before the ground temperature drops in June.



Placing adequate silt control measures prior to beginning earthworks and cleaning them regularly.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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

Planting in autumn is good in terms of reducing watering needs.

Refer to Auckland Regional Council website and publication TP90 Erosion and sediment control guidelines for land disturbing activities in the Auckland region, 1999

Minimise Construction Waste Design to Minimise Waste Designing simple, modest structures, and using standard material and product sizes will mean fewer resources are used in the construction stage. 

Choose materials that do not need to be finished (natural wood ceilings, tiles or bricks)



Keep accurate ‘as-built’ drawings throughout the construction phases. This saves a lot of time and money if, or when changes are made or extensions are added. It is most applicable for electrical and air conditioning systems for saving maintenance dollars. Maintenance people can find things more quickly and understand more of the system.

Dealing With Waste  Develop a waste management plan for all wastes taken off site. Ask waste contractors if they can sort waste on site (e.g. wood, gypsum, paper/card, metal, plastic). Contact the Recycling Operators of New Zealand to find out who recycles construction waste in your area. 

Look for opportunities to reuse any materials (e.g. wooden form-work for concrete or scaffolding maybe given to not for profit organisations, e.g. conservation organisations for footpath maintenance).

Choose Materials Carefully Consider the life cycle issues of associated with products. You should weigh up the various attributes of those products for e.g.: 

Has it come from a renewable, sustainably managed resource (e.g. timber)?



Is it sourced locally (grown or manufactured in New Zealand)?



Is it good quality and designed to last?



Is it toxic when in use?



Is the manufacture of the material safe?



It is the material recyclable or upgradeable?



What is the embodied energy content? ( For information on embodied energy of construction materials see EBEX 21 )

Timber There are a number of considerations to make when purchasing timber for an office. We recommend you check out the Good Wood Guide prior to choosing a timber. The main issues to consider are:

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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

Is it grown in a plantation forest that has Forestry Stewardship Certification?



What has it been treated with? (e.g. PCP/ Dieldrin)

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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Alternative Energy Sources New Zealand has relatively abundant renewable energy resources in the form of hydro-power. However, we still get most of our energy from fossil fuels. Greater use of renewable sources (e.g. hydro, sun or wind) could give us more secure power sources for the future and help mitigate climate change. www.climatechange.govt.nz/sp

Sun Power There are many ways of converting power from the sun. Solar Photo-voltaic Electricity – Photo-voltaic (PV) cells collect and convert energy from the sun into electricity. Most are made from silica (an abundant resource) and sit stationary on roofs. New models are integrated into roofing materials so you don’t need 2 layers on the roof. Solar Water Heating - A solar collector, which usually consists of a series of pipes attached to a black heat-absorbing sheet, is placed in a sunny north-facing site (usually a roof) to heat water in the hot water cylinder . Wind Power - Wind energy has been used for thousands of years to drive machinery etc. A wide range of designs and sizes of wind turbines have been built over the centuries to harness wind energy. Wind Turbines - A turbine consists of 2-3 blades, a gearbox (to moderate speed), a generator and a transformer that converts the wind energy into electricity, which is fed into a single property or the electricity distribution network. Some turbines are small and designed to provide power for a single property. Larger turbines, generating 500kw to 2000kw each are often used in groups called a Wind Farm to generate substantial amounts of power for the national grid. There is already a wind far in the Wairarapa another commercial wind turbine planned for the Banks Peninsula. For information on wind turbines in NZ see www.windflow.co.nz.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 26

Lighting Lighting accounts for one-third of the energy used in commercial spaces. About half of the lighting is wasted either through inefficient bulbs, poor design or improper maintenance. The main reasons are: 

Bulbs and reflectors use inefficient older technology and give off more heat than light (which in summer has to be removed by the air conditioning system, using more energy)!



Companies don’t plan their lighting needs when they design their buildings or offices.



Tenants don’t move existing lighting to suit their layout.

We recommend you do the following with your lighting: Conduct a Simple Audit Assess Lighting Requirements Upgrade Fitting or Bulbs Fit Timers or Sensors

Conduct a Simple Audit Look for the following: 

Opportunities to maximise natural light by placing offices in areas which get the most natural light (Placing open plan offices around the building perimeter maximises daylight. Cellular offices block out the light to other areas. Place cellular offices and meeting rooms near the core, or middle of the building so they don’t block light).



Avoid overheating in summer months look for summer shading ideas (e.g. trees, climbers or blinds) (visit www.eeca.govt.nz for the energy audit publication)

Assess Lighting Requirements Work out how the office is going to be used and then allocate areas by 

General lighting to illuminate the office



Task lighting for desks or work stations



Accent lighting if required to create mood or to highlight a feature.

Upgrade Fittings or Bulbs 

Install reflectors into fittings to redirect light. Without them about half the light from a fluorescent tube is absorbed by the inside of the fitting.



Clean fittings regularly.



Install ‘occupancy sensors’ in rooms that are infrequently used (toilets/ store rooms etc)

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 27



Install electronic ballast’s and more efficient new generation bulbs (halogen bulbs with reflectors or compact fluorescent bulbs) to increase efficiency.



Replace bright bulbs with lower power ones in over lit areas, or remove some bulbs altogether.

Fit Timers or Sensors 

Timers that switch lights off after a preset period are a suitable solution in open plan offices or large conference rooms where it is difficult to make a particular individual responsible for turning off lights.



Occupancy sensors are another solution. Sensors turn lights off when they have not detected movement for around 15 minutes.

Encourage Energy Saving Behaviours 

Obtain “Switch Off when not in use” stickers for light switches from EECA



Remind people to switch off lights in meeting rooms and other rooms that are used only part of the time.



Advise people to turn off lights when there is sufficient natural light.

Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) Systems There are a number of methods used for heating, ventilating and cooling offices. If you work in an air-conditioned office, then over half the energy use will be used to heat, ventilate and cool the building. We recommend you: 

Maximise natural ventilation



Look after HVAC Systems



Zone for different levels of air conditioning in different areas



Opt for Simple Heat Exchange Systems



Insulate your office

Maximise Natural Ventilation 

Have windows that open so you can naturally ventilate the office. If this is not an option make sure the air quality is regularly assessed to avoid sick building syndrome.

Look after HVAC Systems 

Any HVAC system must be designed, operated and maintained to a required standard (ASHRAE) or they cause air pollution as a result of poor maintenance



Older cooling systems often use chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s), which deplete the ozone layer and are active greenhouse gases. (Look for alternative cooling agents)



Set thermostats with adjustable dead bands set between 20 –24Oc



Avoid using single heaters as much as possible. If you have heaters use radiant heaters, not fan heaters.



Have HVAC system serviced regularly!

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 28

Opt for Simple Heat Exchange Systems Heat Exchange Systems are cheaper and less complicated than air conditioning systems. They simply exchange stale, hot air with incoming fresh air, which is warmed by the heat generated from the expelling warm air.

Insulate your Office Ensure the building is properly insulated above ‘building code’ requirements. Insulation will save energy and provide a healthier, more comfortable environment. Most heat is lost through the ceiling (42%) the rest gets out of windows (12%) or through cracks (12%) or the floor (10%). We recommended locally produced, natural materials for insulating walls or ceilings: 

Wool batts or blendes



Recycled paper



Install double-glazing on south facing windows.

Reduce Hot Water Demand Nearly all offices have hot water available for hand washing, general kitchen use and in some cases for showering. There are plenty of ways of reducing demand for hot water: 

Assess layout & design



Don’t use it



Make sure temperature is adequate but not too high (if storing hot water, like a normal cylinder, it needs to be a minimum of 60°C to minimise the risk of Legionella)



Install a mixer valve to reduce the temperature of the water at the tap (also a good safety feature)



Use it wisely

Assess Layout & Design 

Assess the use of isolated outlets (e.g. sinks) to see if installing a hot water heater close to the point of use will both improve the services and be more efficient.



Often hot water temperatures are set at over 700C. Set the temperature to around 60-65 0C



Check a Watermark ‘A’ grade label, storage water heaters that do not have one are less efficient.



Showers use the most hot water, assess how much water is used and consider installing a low flow showerhead.



Installing a mixer valve by the hot water cylinder mixes cold water in with the hot, reducing the temperature to around 500C.



Insulate hot water pipes between the cylinder and the tap to reduce heat loss.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 29

Don’t use it 

Use cold water for rinsing hands/ dishes (keep hot water available for to health & safety)

Use it wisely 

Ensure pipes and cylinders are insulated to reduce heat loss.



If dishwasher has heating elements make sure the incoming water supply is cold (unless you have gas fired or solar hot water)



Always do full dishwasher loads



Service gas water heater annually to ensure safety and efficiency.

Use Alternative Energy Sources 

Solar water heaters can supplement electricity



Heat pumps, which use the sun and a compressor, can heat water far more efficiently than conventional heaters. (See www.eeca.govt.nz for renewable energy information)

Conserve Water Maintain your system 

Reduce the flow where possible



Opt for new ‘technologies’ that use less water

Paints and Oils Paints Because of the complicated chemical make-up of paints choosing a safe paint can be tricky and comes down to preference. We recommend you opt for: 

Acrylic, or water based, paints that have the Environmental Choice label.



Natural Paints made from natural pigments. These paints allow air to move and are either based on lime washes or silicate paint.



Natural turpentine over mineral turpentine

Oils Oils are preferred over polyurethane for covering timber. Oils are used to seal pores and therefore stop water penetrating into the wood. 

Use natural oils such as Harlem oil



Some oils have UV protection qualities

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 30

Floors & Coverings This is important in terms of providing office workers with comfort and durability as well as a healthy and pleasant working environment. The three options to consider are: 

Uncovered floors



Carpets



Other floor coverings

Uncovered floors As a number of New Zealanders suffer from asthma wooden floors, with under floor insulation can be a saviour. Timber Flooring If purchasing timber (e.g. flooring or furniture) consider the following: 

Buy Second Hand or Recycled Timber



Choose plantation timber



Look For Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification

Buy Second Hand or Recycled Timber

Buy recycled timbers of second hand furniture, or repair existing ones. If timber is recycled, it has a lower environmental impact. Beware of fakes (the Consumer Institute discovered a huge amount of fake recycled timber on sale), so ask for written evidence that it is actually recycled. Choose plantation timber

Use plantation timbers, as their use has much less serious consequences than the use of old-growth timbers. Some examples include: douglas fir, eucalyptus species, lawson cypress, macrocarpa, radiata pine. Avoid timber from old growth forests. It is now more common to find terms such as ‘sustainably managed’ or ‘renewable resource’ natural forests used on timber or timber products. Beware of anyone who, for example, tells you that jarrah or kwila have been grown in a plantation. 

Use new timbers recommended by the Good Wood Guide. (Preferably grown in New Zealand plantations). E.g. Cypress, Douglas fir, Eucaplypts or Blue Gum or Macrocarpa.

Look For Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification The FSC is an international non-profit organisation based in Oaxaca, Mexico. Its members include representatives from environmental and social groups, as well as the forestry and timber trades. The FSC provides a certification system so that consumers can know that the timber they buy is from forests, which have complied with the FSC’s principles of forest management.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 31

Floor Coverings To reduce noise, and maybe reduce drafts, many offices opt for some kind of floor covering: 

Linoleum or Marmoleum



Unbleached, organic cottons rugs



Hessian or hemp rugs

Carpets 

When choosing a carpet there are a number of important considerations to be made. Listed are a number of questions you can run past any carpet supplier choose the one that meets the most of your criteria.

About the material and the manufacturer Does the manufacturer have an environmental or sustainability programme in place? 

Is the raw material used efficiently?



Has it been made from recycled materials?



Are toxic emissions reduced in manufacture?



Has it been made using alternative energy (e.g. solar energy)?



Made from natural fibres (Check for the ‘wool mark label’)



It is locally manufactured?

During its use  Does it appeal to your staff? 

Is it easy to install and to maintain?



Is it durable, can you make small changes easily? (Carpet tiles are good for this)



Does it promotes better Indoor Air Quality?





Ensure the backing is formaldehyde–free



Ask for natural latex, jute or woollen felt backing

Can you lease the carpet instead of buying it and receive a life-long servicing contract (For more information on leasing floor coverings see www.interfacenz.com)

Note:

Carpet tiles should be rotated between high and low traffic areas to maximise life of the ‘system’

At its end of life 

Has the product been designed for disassembly?



Is the carpet recyclable?



Can the carpet biodegrade?

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

Page 32

Office Gardens Providing an attractive garden area has many advantages for staff as well as enhancing the appeal of your building. Gardens provide an area for staff to relax in, encourage bird life, help filter vehicle pollution and provide a filter for rainwater. Some garden tips 

Plant deciduous trees near office windows, to gain light in the winter and shade in the summer.



Plant trees in the office car park area, providing shade for staff vehicles



Plant native or fruit trees to encourage native bird life.



Consider permeable paving on paths and in carpark areas to allow water to drain through

Composting or Worm-Farming Compost garden and kitchen waste in a composting bin or worm-farm. 

Put in a shady, protected site



Educate staff on the benefits of composting and show how returning nutrients and adding texture reduces the need for fertiliser and other chemicals, while reducing waste to landfill.



Worms will eat most fruit and vegetable scraps.

Reduce Stormwater Runoff 

Minimise impermeable surfaces



Design gardens, parking areas or paths to maximise water soaking into the ground



Grass pave?



Turf blocks?



Cobblestones (set into sand)



Collect water off your roof in water tanks and use for either watering gardens or flushing toilets etc.



Contact your Council for resource and building consent requirements.

© Auckland Environmental Business Network 2002

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