Ziptrek Ecotours

Greening the Workplace

October 2010

For many of us, when that seed of Sustainability starts to sprout, it’s irrefutably there to stay. Everywhere we look we see the potential to live a greener lifestyle. We change our shopping habits, support different products, adapt how we produce and sort waste. A frustrating aspect of this, however, is that once we take a step outside the home, we are destined to lose control over those environmental initiatives that we hold so dear. What are we to do? The solution is a simple one – that green seed has to be planted where we spend the vast majority of our out-of-home time – the workplace.

The concept of ‘Greening the Workplace’ has taken hold as of late, largely due to the public’s demand for businesses that are environmentally conscious. It is simply no longer acceptable, in the public’s eye, to have complacency towards environmental issues, and any business that does will quickly be replaced by a business that is more environmentally progressive. This pressure from competing businesses is working synergistically with pressure from the public– creating a whirlwind of businesses with a desperate need to become more sustainable in their workplaces and products. In fact, the people that brought us “Canada’s Top 100 Employers” launched “Canada’s Greenest Employers” in 2007, a designation that awards employers who have created earth-friendly initiatives and promote environmental awareness. For a look into which companies have placed in the last few years, check out www.canadastop100.com/environmental.

The Greenest Employers list is not the only tool of recognition for environmentally aware companies. On a more local scale, B.C. Hydro has a series of awards which recognize all sorts of green workplace-related progress, featuring the ‘Leadership Excellent for Energy Conservation’ to ‘Workplace Conservation Leadership,’ as well as many more.  

The way in which businesses can groom their workplaces green is prolific - ranging from small, everyday adaptations to third-party organizations that will help make major operational changes (have a look at www.greenworkplace.ca for information on ‘Green Audits’ for the workplace). For helpful, easy tips on how to make your workplace just that little bit more sustainable, check out “Green Your Business” at bchydro.com. From lighting to office supplies to waste management, this guide shows you how to ease your workplace’s footprint while significantly decreasing operating costs. Still not convinced that a shift in everyday habits can make a difference? How about this: through B.C. Hydro, the Vancouver Airport Authority took on a large scale energy management program, and since 1999 the project has saved 116 gigawatt hours of energy, which equals $5 million saved on energy bills.

But what about closer to home?

It is irrefutable that various businesses here in Whistler are making progress in the green workplace realm. In fact, this year the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb were among the 50 recipients of Canada’s Greenest Employers Award. Similarly inspiring are the sustainable initiatives used within the walls of the Whistler Conference Centre, sending a clear message to our visiting business men and women that there is, indeed, a special place for green within a place of work.

by: Alison McKenzie