GreenDigs Blog

We’ve been thinking about the home shop and how it could be greened even more in 2010.  Our digs are an updated grocery warehouse from the turn of the century and inherently green being a preservation project, but there’s always room for improvement right?  And being home to the GreenDigs blog… well you get the connection.  This will in fact be the first GreenDigs series, two here of six total.  Stay tuned.

A GREENER SITE

1. Plan and implement a green site and building exterior management program.

a.  Address pest management, de-icing, building exterior maintenance (painting and sealants, etc).

2. Provide a bike rack (novel idea) and a publicly accessible shower/changing room to promote alternative transportation and fitness.

3. Plant native grasses in the tree planters (currently filled with landscape bark).

4. Assess site lighting, create a plan to replace fixtures causing light pollution (bright uplights and light tresspass).

WATER USE

1. Install a demonstration rain barrel on the back deck for watering our deck plants.

2. Install low-flow (or no flow?) fixtures in our offices 2nd floor restrooms.

3. Conduct a whole building water audit to create a baseline for water usage.

Our site is downtown and consists of building, concrete, and asphalt thus no need to irrigate.

Does work wear you down? Are you bothered by the ungreenness of your company, and feel powerless to do anything about it? How do you go about making a greener work space? Here are 3 simple ways for you to “green” up your work space, whether you are entry level, a CEO, or anyone in between!

• Power Save:

Save energy by turning off your PC and monitor before you leave the office. Picture this – if just 20 of your co-workers shut down their computer during their lunch hour, enough energy is saved to power a light bulb for over a week! Check out www.LocalCooling.com for a tool to track your energy savings.

• Reduce, Reuse & Recycle:

The average office produces a considerable amount of paper waste. Do your part by printing interoffice documents on both the back and front of your paper – set your printer preferene to duplex. Instead of printing an email, try organizing it on your computer for safe keeping. Talk up your office’s recycling program or try to create one. If you’ve given the recycling scepter, make it easy by strategically placing containers next to printers and fax machines. Additionally, bring in your own mugs and dishes instead of using Styrofoam, plastic or paper dishware in your break room.

• Sitting Green & Pretty:

When  you move into a new work situation, chances are your office has already been suppliled with the basics – a desk and accompanying chair. Consider making an investment that will benefit both your health and the environment by purchasing a new eco-friendly desk chair. It’s definitely a good idea to get your boss’s permission first, but the new Aeron chair from Herman Miller is a great option for your green office space, as well as your home. Made from recycled materials, the Aeron Chair is durable, ergonomically-designed and stylish.

All of our chairs are Aeron, we love ‘em.