Management support will make an enormous difference to successfully introducing a green office programme to any organisation. So as a first step, you will need to gain the support of top management or company owners. Every organisation is a bit different so you will need to modify these ideas to make them work for you.

Determine which Decision-makers need to support your program

Who has the ability to make decisions about operations, purchasing, products, packaging, and services? Usually it's the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, owner or other senior managers.

Collect information and ideas to present to management to demonstrate the issues.

1.      Gather together NZ relevant information, there is plenty of support material to validate your aim to reduce waste and pollution, to conserve resources and to improve your social responsiveness.  Point out that if these issues aren’t addressed voluntarily today, they may have to be regulated for in the future. [See the Business Case].

2.      Show how your organisation is contributing to these problems. For example, gather the facts on how much waste you generate and what it costs to dispose of it, find out how much paper you use each year or note down what equipment is left on overnight unnecessarily.  Make a short video or take photographs, e.g. waste generated, lights left on, dirty stormwater drains, smoky vehicles etc from around your premises. Show the video or pictures to management and employees. [Select images that represent problems, but do not come across too negatively toward any individual or department]

Highlight potential savings from green office initiative.

In almost every field some organisations or businesses have active green office initiatives already underway. The most common benefits cited from operational improvements is savings in purchasing and. You may also benefit from:

q       Reduced operational costs (e.g. energy bills or in reduced waste disposal costs).

q       Reduced purchasing costs (e.g. stationary costs printing costs, postage etc.)

q       Improved staff morale & public image.

q       Better relationships with suppliers and the local community. 

Emphasise the economic benefits, morale improvements, marketing advantages or public profile gains that your competitors may be realizing through their efforts. Don't let your company be a laggard!

Indicate likely reactions by Customers, Board of Directors, and Stakeholders.

Determine how key groups will respond to changes in your products, packaging, and improved internal operations. Today’s public is concerned about environmental as well as human rights issues. Your efforts to green your office may translate into positive public relations and better sales. You certainly can’t afford to risk the bad press associated with not addressing these issues.

Have Persistence and Patience

Remember everyone who starts up a successful programme has to face obstacles. Sometimes an idea is presented at a time when it must compete with more urgent matters. Look for initiatives that will offer the biggest benefit for the smallest effort.  And there will always be a few people who will object to any change, but don’t let them deter you. Be patient and keep trying. If in doubt suggest a pilot programme for starters!