GreenDependent Institute

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Green and sustainable practices at GreenDependent

As the mission of GreenDependent Institute is to “research, develop and disseminate sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns”, we also place special emphasis on „greening” our private and office lives. We aim at putting sustainable and climate-friendly principles into our everyday practice in the office environment.

New staff – new challenges

Since the beginning of 2019 GreenDependent has increased its permanent staff (5 members) with three new colleagues and an apprentice. As this has been the largest growth in the life of the organisation, it required some changes in the everyday office practices.

One major change was to switch from washing dishes by hand to using a dishwasher. In order to operate at the smallest possible ecological footprint a dishwasher with category A++ was purchased and eco-friendly dishwasher tablet is used. Moreover, the machine is started only when it is full, and energy consumption of the washing programmes is metered to check the electricity use of each mode. Surprisingly, we found that the dishwasher uses more electricity by using the ECO mode (taking 70 mins) than an other, quite long programme (taking 210 mins).

As we have a relatively small office (51 m2), we introduced some new rules to optimise work space. Only the full-time employees have their own desk; for part-time colleagues there are two work stations they share. When everyone is in the office, less heating is required, yet, ventilation is needed more often. Above these new practices, most of the former office practices have remained unchanged as seen below.

Office equipment and appliances

New machines, products and appliances are only purchased when we absolutely need them.  The office is equipped with environmentally friendly, and if available, eco-labelled phones, laptops and monitors. The eco-label certificate guarantees that these products comply with environmental regulations and specification. Some of our colleagues have Fairphone, which is an etically produced, modular smartphone. In only contains fairly produced and purchased materials (including precious metals), the whole supply chain is fair, and old phones can be recycled.



Energy consumption: heating, lighting, and equipment

We only heat those rooms that are in use. During the night and weekends, we reduce the temperature in the office. We never overheat the office, but dress warmly and use special foot-warmers. We ensure humidity through direct evaporation and using green plants; and thus we feel comfortable at a lower temperature. Local lights are used at the desks and above the sink in order to avoid using the central lights.

Electronic equipment and products consume a significant share of their energy need when in stand-by mode. To reduce this consumption, we always disconnect them after office hours using switch sockets and intelligent plugs, so-called standby killers.

Cleaning

We use environmentally friendly cleaning products (e.g. vinegar, citric acid, Alverde, Ecover, etc. products), because these are neither hazardous to health, nor pollute our waters and the wildlife when they are released into nature. In our office even the paper tissue and toilet paper are FSC or PEFC, as well as Blue Angel certified.

Reducing and managing our waste

We collect waste selectively, following the rules of the local collection system. We collect organic waste separately, which is composted at one of our colleagues’ home. We collect papers that have been used on one side only, and when possible use them internally or for note taking. We keep track of the amount of waste generated in the office.

Food and drink

We give priority to local, seasonal and Hungarian food products, thus reducing the greenhouse gas emissions related to transporting these products. We purchase fair-trade and organic tea and coffee. We aim at reducing our meat consumption, some of our colleagues are vegetarians. At our events we always offer vegetarian and vegan food options, often all the food served is vegetarian.

Hot water for beverages is made by a common cattle; we boil only the amount of water that is necessary. We do not have a microwave oven; lunch is warmed up by a small hot plate.

If you want to read more about our green office practices, you can find a detailed description HERE.

 

 

 

 

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