Green initiatives for your business

• Turn the lights off at night or reduce the number of lights operating.
• Try turning off every third light. This will save on energy with little impact on effective light levels.

• Set computers to ‘sleep’ mode when not operating. This will save up to 95% of energy compared to normal operation.
• Choose energy star compliant equipment and ensure energy reducing functions are enabled.
• Avoid printing documents, otherwise print double-sided.

• Adjust the thermostat on your heating/cooling by a degree or two. You can save on average 10% of your heating bill for every degree adjusted.
• Open windows instead of using air-conditioning.
• Close doors when running heating/cooling or install automatic door closing devices.
• Install draught proofing devices to doors and windows. This can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 25 per cent.
• Consider installing external shading (preferable) or internal reflective blinds to windows exposed to direct sun. This can significantly reduce the load on your air conditioning system and reduce glare.
• Place plants around the office to naturally filter pollutants and improve indoor air quality.

• Install flow restrictors on taps in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Fit dual flush toilets to reduce consumption of potable (drinking quality) water.
• Consider installing a rainwater tank plumbed to office toilets.

• Think before you print. Email instead of printing or posting and encourage suppliers to do the same.
• Create a recycling system in the office. Separate recyclables from hard rubbish to reduce your dumping costs.
• Invest in rechargeable batteries for office equipment such as cameras.

• Recycle your waste paper by using both sides of the page.
• Reuse envelopes where appropriate.
• Obsolete mobile phones and computer equipment can be deposited at designated e-waste facilities across Melbourne.

• Consider greener means of transport. Provide a bicycle storage area for staff, encourage car pooling between staff members and load sharing with other local businesses.
• If relocating, consider locations near public transport.
• Consider investing in greener and smaller company vehicles.

Understanding how and when your equipment uses energy will give you a baseline to track and report improvements, and compare against other sites. It will continuously identify opportunities to: 

• operate more efficiently
• reduce how much energy you use
• manage your energy costs
• repair equipment as soon as it stops working efficiently.

Find an energy auditor with Sustainability Victoria