Climate Science & Green Tech

Green Office Plan

• Model for Green Office Plan
• Our Green Office Plan - Recycling
• Recycling is managed by the local community. Our commitment is to dispose of paper, cans, plastics and materials as outlined by the requirements of our local recycling service provider.
• Electronic Equipment: We us local collection programs to donate or recycle end of life electronic equipment. We will avoid putting electronics into landfills by first, attempting to donate working equipment to charitable programs, and second by bringing equipment to a suitable electronic waste management facility.
• Purchasing: Preference is given to recycled products such as paper, packaging, furniture, notebooks, greeting cards, folders and envelopes.
• Shopping sacks: We will purchase and use shopping bags rather than consuming and throwing out plastic and paper. When we use paper for shopping, we will further use that bag as a packaging material in our paper recycling program
• Cut Back on the Use of Paper Products 
• Paper: products need to be treated as sustainable natural energy-compliant used at a responsible rate. Paper isn’t bad, but wasting resources is. For example, we use and retain paper documents based on the need to have a legal copy. 
• Printing and Data: We avoid duplicating or printing the information that is easily accessed through backups or online. If we can use digital records, paper copies may not be necessary.  If we can use data storage, we will not duplicate file shares on external drives and multiple server locations.
• Two Sides: We use the white side of the paper for notes or other “draft” printing.
• Advertisements and Junk: Junk Mail is as bad in digital form as a paper form. We should avoid creating it, receiving it, storing it or failing to recycle it.
  Paper Towels: Paper towels are efficient and reduce the spread of bacteria, but cloth rags are also effective for cleaning. When cleaning, use judgment.
• Marketing Matters: Double-sided printing saves paper and is equally professional as one. Printing devices and ink will be selected from energy-compliant products. We will use up our collateral before we print more.  We will not leave piles of marketing materials to be thrown out after trade shows and meetings.

Save Power

• Electricity: We will avoid misuse of electronics, computers, clocks, and appliances. We will unplug any appliance that is not in use. We will purchase energy-efficient devices.
• Lights:  We use natural sunlight for most of our offices, reducing the need for overhead lights during day hours. Our windows are treated to reduce the harmful effect of UV light and to reduce summer cooling requirements. We only use energy-efficient light bulbs.
• Alternative Power:  We seek and use alternative power. When our office gets chilly, we get up and move, put on a sweater, maintain the winter thermostat at or below 70 degrees. During peak summer days, we will pull the blinds to reduce heat from the sun and maintain the cooling at or above 78 degrees.
• Outside Lights:  We use solar lanterns on our walkway, and where possible, we support the use of motion sensors and funding to replace highway lights with energy-efficient bulbs.

Green Green Grass of Home

• Landscaping: We will reduce the need for nitrates and phosphates. We select indigenous vegetation that offers shade and color and don’t require fertilizers that expose our office and families to unnecessary health problems.
• We compost and we will insist that our landscaper’s compost to ensure our grounds have healthy soil.
• Maintain Healthy Soil: Composted ground soil retains moisture and needs less water, which will support our pledge to reduce water waste. We will lower our water bill. We choose landscaping that retains and leverages “greywater” as opposed to consuming from our primary drinking reservoir.
• Where possible, we will use manual vs. electric tools, such as reel mowers and hedge clippers. This extra effort will give us a healthy workout and avoid the gas pollutants of a large power mower.
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• Pollutants and Second Hand Supplies

Pollutants

• We are careful in the management of pollutants such as oil.
• We prefer use of nonchemical solutions, such as a hat instead of sun screen, or spay bottles before aerosol.
• We use natural products for cleaning, above all respecting moderation in the use of soaps, solvents, pesticides and polishes.

Secondhand Supplies

• Leftover Supplies. When we complete projects we will gather and donate left over paint and supplies to a person or charity that needs it
• We will communicate to our community about items we wish to pass on, dropping items to locations that can manage their distribution.
• Bottles & Transportation 
• Bottled Water:  Filtered tap water in the refrigerator is as safe or safer than bottled water and tastes just as good or better. Glasses in a dishwasher consume less energy than the creation and disposal of plastic. We will avoid plastic trash by reasonably managing our use of plastic water containers. We supply our office with water filtration, glasses, and a dishwasher. 
• Walking: We walk or ride a bicycle before we drive, promoting health and reducing gasoline and emissions. When we drive, we carpool from a common location.  Whenever possible, we walk and talk, using outdoor light open-air to promote communication and health.
• Efficient Cars: We care for our vehicles to keep tire pressure and engine functions optimal.
• Public Transportation: We use public transportation when it is available.
• Alternative Fuel: We promote purchasing hybrid and fuel-efficient cars. We select hybrid cars when leasing or renting for business.
• Virtual Travel: We provide teleconference options and remote working capabilities.
• Thank You for your time and consideration.

About Robin Basham, M.Ed., M.IT, CISSP, CISA, ITSM, CGEIT, CRISC, Archer Certified Consultant

Managing Partner, EnterpriseGRC Solutions, Inc.

Enterprise Governance Risk & Compliance; Leading Green IT

Robin Basham is recognized across several major industries as an ICT Enterprise and GRC expert.  With experience in Data Center Design and Implementation, Enterprise Solutions from data-driven workflow systems to infrastructure and compliance, Ms. Basham is positioned to assist EnterpriseGRC Solutions clients in Green Tech initiatives, aligning with every aspect of the Business Enterprise.

Regulatory and International Standards Expert, Operations Officer, Master Educator

<No longer true-this group disbanded> Robin is was on the board of ACGTA, focusing on Environmental Sustainability and Energy Technology Governance and assurance.

Steering Committees - ISACA, OASIS, OMG, CSA Degrees include two bachelors from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, a master’s from Lesley College in Cambridge, and after 13 years working in Information Technology, a second master's in enterprise technology from American InterContinental University.

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