Monash Memo - 15 August 2001

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Becoming a greener Monash

Monash Occupational Health, Safety and Environment has launched a new initiative to improve environmentally friendly practices around the university's offices.

The Monash Green Office Program is seeking to recruit Green Office representatives, who will be responsible for encouraging better eco-friendly performance in their respective departments.

Environmental project officer Ms Rachel Gerber (pictured) said 25 staff from various faculties, divisions and campuses had already volunteered to become "ambassadors for the environment".

She said they would be required to implement environmental improvements, distribute 'green' tips within their departments, attend environmental education seminars, and liaise with other green office representatives.

"The program gives Monash staff a chance to broaden their understanding of environmental issues and make a real difference to the environment as well as develop their leadership skills," she said.

Green tips include using recycled and scrap paper for note-taking, draft printing and photocopying, and recycling all paper products.

Staff should also avoid printing emails unless necessary and activate the sleep mode on computers when possible.

Monash Environment Institute program manager Mr Elya Tagar said the program complemented the objectives of the Greenhouse Challenge agreement, struck with the Commonwealth Government.

Monash was the first university in Victoria and the second in Australia to sign the agreement, which commits Monash to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its Clayton campus within two years.

"In 1998, Clayton produced 57,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year, and we aim to improve this performance significantly through initiatives such as the Green Office Program."

The program also involves holding special seminars featuring a 'green theme' of the month. The first of these was held earlier this week and focused on energy efficiency and how office activities and industry impacts on greenhouse emissions.

Future seminars will focus on recycling, reducing paper usage and environmentally friendly purchasing, which involves buying energy efficient computers, recycled paper and toner cartridges, and avoiding items such as disposable cups.

People interested in becoming Green Office representatives should contact Ms Gerber on extn 54048.