Would you like to help create a greener workplace? A series of environmental workshops are running over the summer to help us to improve our environmental practice at work.
The sessions are part of the Green Impact initiative that 35 teams of staff across the University already belong to.
Green Impact is a national scheme which uses a series of online workbooks to help staff achieve a range of green targets. Staff receive bronze, silver and gold awards to celebrate their achievements, including increasing recycling of food and drink packaging, reducing energy use, sourcing sustainable products and promoting the use of public transport.
Staff in the School of Management were one of the teams to achieve a bronze award. Secretary Teressa Mitchard explains how she got involved: “Two of my work colleagues had been involved with the Green Impact for quite a while and I was impressed with their commitment to saving energy. They knew I was always going on about people not turning off lights or turning their computers off, and having their radiators on when they were not in, so they recruited me to the team.
“It was exciting thinking of ways to get our campaign noticed and getting other involved, looking on the internet for signs and posters to get our message across.
“We worked hard to get our bronze award and I felt very proud to be part of the team. Many members of staff congratulated us as on our award and I think this has helped with getting them involved to do their bit to saving energy.”
Workshop information:
- Sharing ideas and brainstorming new criteria
Tuesday 26 July 2.15pm- 3.05pm, 3E 3.11 and Wednesday 27 July 2.15pm – 3.05pm, 1W 4.40
These two sessions are open to all staff across the campus. People are invited to come along to both if they wish, as different aspects of the initiative may be discussed in the two sessions. The sessions are informal, based on discussions and sharing ideas in small groups. Light refreshments will be provided.
- Introduction for new team members
Tuesday 6 Sept 1.15pm-2.05pm, 1W 3.15
This session is aimed at staff and students who were not directly involved in the initiative last year and who are interested in getting to know more. There will be a short presentation that introduces the initiative and how it works – and then an informal discussion to answer any questions. Lunch will be provided.
- The new workbook
Thursday 22 September 1.15pm-2.05pm, 1W 2.7
This session is aimed at all the teams involved in the initiative. The new workbook will be presented and discussed briefly, including the changes to Bronze and Silver, a new Gold category and three Special awards. Lunch will be provided.
Green Impact is coordinated by Dr Sally Lampkin who is running the workshops. She said: “Nearly 200 staff are already involved with Green Impact and we look forward to welcoming them to the workshops and new people who are interested in finding out more. These are friendly, informal sessions and we hope people will enjoy the opportunity to discuss green issues with colleagues from across the campus.
“Green Impact is an easy way for people to help the environment and to support the University’s commitment to a 25 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2015.”
Please email Sally Lampkin or call her on x5741 to book a place on any of the workshops.