Go Green - At Work

The office is the place where we spend a large part of our time. If each worker could make efforts to protect the environment, which would translate to significant reduction in carbon emissions, not forgetting the money saved for the company.

• Pack your own healthy lunch instead of takeaways or packaged convenience food. Get yourself some sturdy containers of various sizes to cater for different treats everyday.


• Eliminate the use of disposables in office functions and events.


• Grow plants at home and at your office to improve indoor air quality. Interior air can sometimes be contaminated with toxic chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from carpeting and paint. Related topic: Houseplants Reduce Indoor Pollution


• Switch off the computer screen when you are not at the desk for extended periods, e.g. lunch or meetings. Peripheral equipment such as printers and scanners need not be constantly plugged in if they are only used occasionally.


• Carpool or travel on public transport for your external meetings. If your company cannot phase out the use of cars, consider getting a hybrid or compressed natural gas (CNG) car. For the more adventurous and energetic workers out there, you can even cycle to work. (Foldable bicycles are now allowed onto trains). Or, consider taking LRT to work (in future).


• Purchase recycled paper for printing. Do not print unnecessarily, and print on both sides of the page whenever possible. Re-use misprinted or one-sided paper for scribbling messages or random ideas in the office.


• Switch off the lights and air-conditioners when they are not in use. Set your air-conditioners at the optimal temperature of 25°C.


• If you office is planning to upgrade the furniture, you can donate the used furniture (which is still in good condition) to a charitable organisation.


• When purchasing furniture for the office, opt for pieces which are not made of composite materials and are easy to assemble and disassemble to increase the ease of recyclability at the end of their useful lives.


• Implement a recycling system in the office. Set up recycling corners or boxes for paper waste, plastics, glass, etc.

Source: SEC