List of Environmental Actions and Commitments

From the Don Bosco Green Alliance

Saving Energy

• Conduct an energy audit.
• Replace standard light bulbs with LEDs or CFLs.
• Turn off lights when not in use.
• Power down all machines at the end of the day.
• Turn off air conditioners when not in use.
• Install smart devices to turn off lights.
• Wash clothes in a cold cycle; use a clothesline whenever possible.
• Reduce travel by opting for teleconferencing or online meetings.
• Keep vehicles well serviced to maximize fuel efficiency.
• Purchase vehicles with high fuel mileage.
• Encourage confreres and colleagues to walk or bike instead of drive.
• Invest in a solar water heater.
• Plan shopping trips and other transportation activities carefully to reduce the need to drive.
• Use solar-powered lighting.
• Investigate options for renewable sources of energy.

Saving Water

• Use water wisely while washing your hands.
• Fix any leaky faucets, shower heads, or toilets immediately.
• Replace full-flush toilets with low-flush toilets.
• Replace standard faucets and shower heads with aerated faucets.
• Replace regular washing machines with water-efficient models.
• Use water-saving practices and systems in your landscaping.
• Use your automatic washing machine for full loads only.
• Calculate your water footprint.

Waste Management

• Plan operations to use the minimum materials.
• Have clearly defined operational procedures and standards.
• Avoid unnecessary purchases for work or home.
• Find ways to reuse or refurbish old materials.
• Build partnerships with other departments or ministries to share materials and supplies.
• Purchase products packaged in minimal or biodegradable packaging.
• Buy materials in concentrate or in bulk when possible.
• Buy products that are reusable, returnable, or refillable.
• Buy recycled office products; reuse and refill toner cartridges and ribbons.
• Use flexible interior features to reduce renovation waste.
• Choose durable materials/furnishing.
• Reduce the use of plastic cups by switching to reusable cups.
• Use a water cooler or water filter instead of individual disposable water bottles.
• When purchasing promotional material to give away, choose green products.
• Purchase reusable containers, rather than single-use disposable containers.
• Return e-waste to the vendor/manufacturer for safe disposal/recycling.
• Support secondhand stores.
• Donate used equipment and supplies.
• Separate your waste.
• Encourage composting of organic waste.

Reducing Paper

• Share information through emails and phone calls.
• Create an office bulletin board where important staff notices can be shared.
• Train your staff members in using computer tools for highlighting, editing, and commenting on documents.
• Encourage double-sided printing and photocopying.
• Reduce printed mailings.
• Switch to electronic newsletters, customer notices, and billing systems.
• Keep a stack of used paper next to the printer for use in printing drafts/ in-house documents.
• Revise protocols for keeping records to minimize the use of paper.
• Encourage staff members to only print documents when absolutely necessary.
• Encourage paperless meetings and office events.
• Instead of printing web pages, bookmark or save the pages.
• Use electronic media that reduce paper waste.

Eliminating Plastic

• Educate staff and customers about the dangers to the environment of plastic bags.
• Reuse garbage bags in the offices or classrooms by emptying all garbage into larger trash containers.
• Purchase biodegradable plastic bags instead of regular plastic bags.
• Use reusable, durable containers or bags for storage instead of plastic bags.
• Encourage the use of reusable/washable dishware and cutlery at events and programs.
• Encourage the use of compostable/biodegradable food containers instead of Styrofoam or plastic.
• Provide staff with their own mugs for coffee or tea.

Education and Awareness

• Sponsor programs that educate children and their families about the environment.
• Post environment messages at the organization.
• Organize presentations to staff about eco-practices, environmental issues, or ecology spirituality.
• Encourage the use of environmentally friendly products.
• Encourage and promote local produce and sustainably caught fish.
• Educate ourselves about products with environmental dangers and look for options for mitigation.
• Plan a field day for staff to get out, explore, and appreciate their local environment.

Environmental Action

• Organize a coastal cleanup on International Coastal Cleanup Day (Saturday, September 18) or another day.
• Organize/sponsor/participate in tree plantings in the neighborhood.
• Sponsor an environmental challenge/competition for a community, for example, a best yard contest, a best environmental initiative at school.
• Clean your local water bodies (lakes, rivers, etc.).
• Volunteer with the local forest department staff in your region to participate and organize programs that protect endangered species of flora and fauna.
• Create green committees to encourage environmental actions throughout the year.
• Plan environmental pledge drives and volunteer programs to sensitize people regarding environmental value and the importance of environmental action.
• Register your Salesian work with the Don Bosco Green Alliance.