PARTICIPATE

Participate at Work

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Does your company have an interesting recycling program, a supplier for eco-paper, or a great way to manage energy consumption? Inspire others.
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Ways to Participate at Work

Think Salmon is a way of living and acting, on an individual level as well as on a corporate level.

Reduce Energy Consumption

The energy we use often competes with salmon for water. The less energy we use, the more water is left in our rivers and lakes for salmon. Here are a few ideas on how you can save energy and help salmon.

1. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. It’s good for you and good for salmon.
2. Bring your lunch to work in reusable containers. All those styrofoam boxes and wrappers take huge amounts of energy to create and then clog landfills.
3. Use an insulated mug or cup for your coffee or tea. Wash and refill it each day and save yourself a few cents at the same time.
4. Turn down the thermostat. Stay cool and stay alert.
5. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full.

Resources for more information:

• Power Smart Tips and Practices for Businesses from BC Hydro
• Check out BC Hydro’s Resources on Managing Energy Costs by Business Type
• Saving energy in your home office
• BC Hydro Managing Energy Costs

Use Efficient Computer Monitors

Some simple choices around computer monitors offer easy ways to think salmon.

1. Use LCD (liquid-crystal display) monitors, which are more efficient than CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitors and output less heat.
2. Shorten the delay time before your monitor automatically powers-down into sleep mode.
3. Don’t use screen saver. When screen saver is running, the monitor is not “sleeping” but using the same amount of electricity as if you were actively working on your computer.
4. Turn monitors off at night, on weekends and anytime they are not being used for extended periods of time.

Quick Fact
Turning off idle equipment can save up to $100 per workstation over a year.

Resources:

• BC Hydro resources on computer monitors

Conserve Water

Salmon need water in our rivers, lakes and streams to thrive. The more we take for ourselves, the less remains for them. These simple steps help keep salmon in our waterways.

1. Conserve water by installing low-flow shower heads and low-flow toilets.
2. Fix leaking taps and toilets. Save water and get rid of that annoying dripping.
3. Sweep sidewalks and put the sweepings in the garbage instead of hosing. You will save water and prevent pollutants and debris from entering streams and storm drains.

Quick Facts:

• Replacing an 18-litre-per-flush toilet with an ultra-low-volume (ULV) six-litre flush model represents a 66 percent savings in water flushed and will cut indoor water use by about 30 percent.
• A toilet dam, a common water-retention device, can save about 5 litres per flush. Here’s an example of a toilet dam.
• A leaky toilet, one that continues to run after flushing, can waste up to 200,000 litres of water in a single year.

Resources:

• Environment Canada’s resources for what you can do at work
• Natural Resources website on water conservation
• Habitat Enhancement Society website

Recycle, Repair, Reuse

In both the manufacturing and disposal of the things we buy, we use energy and water. Making better use of the things we buy reduces our energy and water consumption on both ends. Double the benefit!

1. Organize an office recyling program if one doesn’t exist.
2. Try to repair or donate for repair items that no longer work.
3. Use your own re-usable coffee cup, rather than a disposable cup.
4. Save and re-use binders, file folders, envelopes, paper clips, elastics, and other common supplies.
5. Produce double-sided documents and photocopies.

Make Healthy Choices: Cleaning Supplies and Products

Everyone likes to work in a clean office. Here’s how to keep things clean all the way from your workplace to your salmon streams.

1. Encourage your employer to purchase office supplies and cleaning products that are less harmful to the environment.
2. Follow and encourage environmentally safe practices in the storage, use and disposal of hazardous wastes.
3. If your workplace uses a cleaning company or property management company, ask them about their approach to sustainability and thinking salmon. If you don’t, who will?

Resources:

• Have a look at these “Tips for a Greener Office”

Commute Together

How can we think salmon in our own personal daily migrations?

1. Rideshare and carpool. Join up with others and multiply your the poweer of your salmon thinking.
2. Maintain your vehicle. Make sure your exhaust system is clean and clear.
3. Make your own energy and walk or ride your bike. It’s another thing that’s good for you and good for salmon.
4. Turn your vehicle off when parked or waiting to pick someone up. Don’t stink up the joint.

Quick Facts:

• A mid-sized sedan driven 20,000 kilometres a year produces about 4 tonnes of CO2, the main greenhouse gas.
• Restarting the engine uses less fuel than 10 seconds of idling and produces less air pollution.
• A poorly maintained vehicle uses up to 50% more fuel and produces up to 50% more green house gas emissions than a vehicle that is serviced regularly.
• Check your tire pressure at least once a month. With under-inflated tires, your vehicle can use up to 3% more fuel.

Resources:

• Learn more about carpooling
• Learn more about maintaining your vehicle
• Shopping for a new vehicle? Check out the list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles by category and year
• Buying a used vehicle? Check the on-line Fuel Consumption Guide for information about fuel efficiency
• Read Natural Resources Canada’s tips on buying, driving and maintaining your vehicle
• The Canada Safety Council web site features information on using alternative fuels to power your vehicle

More Resources for thinking salmon at work:

• Ten Tips for Fish-Friendly Living
• Your Guide to Greening Government Operations