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For an organization looking to start a sustainability program, where should they start?
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I'll provide some basics, but here are two longer articles on this topic that may be more helpful: http://tech.li/2011/09/top-five-reasons-not-to-hire-a-green-business-consultant/ and http://www.greentechbuyer.org/blog/commercial-energy-efficiency-programs.html
First off, you need two internal champions. One is a top executive committed to devoting resources to sustainability, and the other is an eager do-gooder looking for ways to make a positive impact on the company.
Second is planning to tackle the low hanging fruit. Since most small businesses don’t own their office space, all they can control is what they bring inside and how it gets there. That applies to people, products and processes - and making them all less wasteful is pretty simple. Use less paper and plastic. Put everything electric on a timer or sensor. Provide locally sourced food. Don’t spray poison everywhere. Encourage telecommuting, carpools, walking and biking. Recycle.
Once you have a plan for tackling the above, communicate your plans to the company in clear terms with some goals attached - say use 50% less paper and 30% less energy - to start building momentum. These goals are important, because they will give teeth to your vision and provide measurable progress to report on later.
Next is implementation. The best way to encourage change is to not make it a choice. Set all printers to double-sided printing. Take control of ordering the food and water for the office. Monitor all thermostats. Install automatic sensors for lights and other electronics. Don't just hang up signs. Make the behavior you want unavoidable.
Then it is imperative that you maintain momentum by bragging about measurable achievements (i.e We saved 200 lbs of paper last month! or We kept a half ton of of C02 out of the atmosphere last quarter. Give people something to feel good about.
Finally, when everyone is on board and excited, start looking into big ticket renewable energy initiatives like solar panels.
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