As a proud member of MPI’s Green Team, I wasn’t too surprised by recent research that, as of 2009, 62 percent of U.S. companies claim to empower internal teams to create eco-friendly workplaces.
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\n\u201cIt\u2019s become part of our jobs to take time to think creatively about sustainability,\u201d says Dedee DeLongpr\u00e9 Johnston, director of sustainability at Wake Forest.<\/p>\n
It seems green teams\u2014groups of employees who volunteer to help identify and implement specific sustainable practices in their departments\u2014are flourishing. DeLongpr\u00e9 Johnston says these programs encourage organizations to select green team \u201ccaptains\u201d to evaluate the current level of sustainable practices in an office or department and make suggestions for ways to improve.<\/p>\n
Ideas include simple changes such as purchasing copy paper with recycled content or making available reusable mugs and utensils rather than using disposable ones. Or, changes may have more impact, such as eliminating mini-fridges in individual offices.<\/p>\n
\u201cSustainability is not a one-size-fits-all concept,\u201d says DeLongpr\u00e9 Johnston. Each department or office has different needs. \u201cOrganizations tend to be more willing to embrace community-wide goals when they have had a hand in creating the plans to implement them. In using this kind of community-based approach, people often come up with ideas that are bolder than those suggested by the organization\u2014such as having only one trash can per department as a way to encourage waste reduction and recycling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eco-friendly practices adopted by businesses can take root in the larger civic community as well. DeLongpr\u00e9 Johnston cites the water bottle versus pitcher\/glasses debate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the department decides to offer refillable water glasses, this becomes an opportunity to involve outside constituents in what that organization is trying to accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n
DeLongpr\u00e9 Johnston offers five tips to help companies and organizations launch a successful green team initiative:<\/p>\n
1. Find a champion on your leadership team. Change doesn\u2019t always come from the top down, but it\u2019s important to have buy-in.<\/p>\n
2. Prioritize your list of changes by the impact they will make; then assess which are most likely to happen. There isn\u2019t any sense in taking on the biggest problem first if you\u2019re not likely to get any traction. Small steps can lead to bigger changes down the road.<\/p>\n
3. Identify leaders for your peer-to-peer education team. Grassroots change is best led by respected members of your organization.<\/p>\n
4. Empower members of the team with sound information and guidance. Facts and figures are more compelling than political opinions.<\/p>\n
5. Be patient. Change takes time.<\/p>\n