A World Health Organisation survey released in September last year revealed that despite plenty of clear blue skies, New Zealand air quality is anything but.  The results revealed that our air pollution regularly exceeds recommended national environmental standards (of 20 micrograms per cubic metre of a measurement known as PM10), and follows right on the heels of a study by Auckland Council that attributes 700 casualties per year to our toxic air.

Kiwi cities had pollution levels nearly double that of our Australian neighbours, in particular Auckland, which recorded levels nearly double that of Sydney.  (Auckland’s score of 23 was shared by busy mega city, Tokyo.)

Luckily, a new year and a new attitude seems to be the kick start New Zealand needs to get back to green.  The New Zealand Herald last week reported ten incredible restoration projects that have kicked off across Auckland, focusing on caring for and renewing our ecosystems, noting a new generational attitude to improving our environment.  And today, we saw reports of an inner city real estate agency that has decided to supply Segways to its agents – allowing them to avoid the gridlock caused by the 34,000 plus vehicles that enter the Auckland CBD every weekday, while doing their bit for the environment.

But it’s not just the responsibility of the New Zealand big business to clean things up.  With over 460,000 local SME’s around the country, we can all do our bit to help by ‘greening’ up our business practices.  You can start right now by:

Register your interest to opt out

There’s currently no way that businesses or individuals can ‘opt out’ of receiving hard copy Yellow or White Pages.  According to research on the site, most people still believe it’s important that the phone books are delivered, and there are very few requests for an opt out method.  But when was the last time you actually used one?  With more and more people searching online, it should be an opt-in method.  Think of all the paper we could save!  Register your interest to opt out here.

Improve your energy efficiency

The New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority has some great information on their site about how we can choose environmentally friendly products and services, and if you sign up for their resource centre you can receive guides on efficient technologies and practices, and tips to help you establish your own program.  All those little things like choosing energy efficient light bulbs really do make a difference!  You can also check out the Business section of EECA for information on funding and grants to help business owners go green.

Ditch the paper

While it’s unlikely that offices will ever be completely paperless, there are plenty of ways we can cut down on the hard copies.  This post by the author of the ‘Four Hour Work Week’, Tim Ferris talks about how he has achieved a paperless life – with some great tips we can integrate into our business practices.

And don’t forget the little things!  There are some easy, ‘right now’ things that you can do to improve your carbon footprint, including:

• Setting up a carpool program for employees (or allowing them to work from home to save the commute).
• Reduce, reuse and recycle.  It’s an oldie but a goodie.  Set up an effective recycling program in your office – and don’t forget to look at ways you can reuse.  (such as reusing boxes from your suppliers to ship your goods)
• Purchase carbon credits by planting trees with GreenFleet.

What are you doing in your business to reduce your impact on the environment?

 

Emma Mulquiney | Online Editor – MYOB