Green Building ProgramEnsuring sustainable work practices on campus

Sustainable Development, Facilities Management

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Green Building is an initiative of theSustainable Development section of Facilities Management

The University of Western Australia M458, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Tel +61 8 6488 1700Fax +61 8 6488 7534Email sd-fm@uwa.edu.auWeb www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Published May 2011

Introducing Green Building 3

Why do we need it? 4

University vision for sustainability 6

Steps you can take 7

Reducing your impact

Energy 10

Waste and recycling 12

Transport 16

Paper use 19

Green purchasing 20

Laboratories 21

Greening your work space 22

Information and assistance 23

Table of contents

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Thank you for taking an interest in improving the sustainability of your University and work place. This manual suggests ways you can make your building more environmentally friendly and sustainable. Whether your department is small or large, there are many things you can do to green your space and make a positive difference right now and into the future.

Every day in every workspace across the University decisions are made that impact heavily on the state of our environment.

Should I put that old report in recycling or in general waste? Should I shut down my computer while I’m at this afternoon’s two hour meeting? Is it up to me to report that dripping tap? Should I turn out the lights as I leave the meeting room?

By taking a close look at your building procedures, identifying possible improvements and implementing and communicating changes, you and your co-workers can significantly reduce your building’s impact on the environment.

Reducing our impact on the environment is one of the major social priorities for Australians in the new century. Achieving this is the responsibility of every individual person and organisation.

Many people have begun to make changes that will reduce the environmental consequences of their every day actions. The University aims to join this movement.

The Green Building Program, through the Sustainable Development section of Facilities Management, acknowledges the need for a holistic approach to better sustainable practices and operations.

The Program endeavours to work with technical support personnel, campus sections, Schools and students to deliver a cooperative approach toward this goal.

These might seem like small matters, but multiplied by 3500 staff and 20,000 students, these small factors become a very large environmental footprint.

Introducing Green Building

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2. It’s good for business

• Significantly reduce costs by reducing energy, paper and water consumption and increasing recycling.

• Prepare for price rises Resource prices, such as energy and fuel, are increasing dramatically. Sustainable business practices make the University more financially resilient.

• Ensure future resources If businesses don’t operate sustainably, the services that are freely available today will become much more costly, or cease, in the near future.

3. Protect our environment

The University community can act now to reduce global warming, preserve resources, improve air and water quality, protect flora and fauna and reduce landfills.

1. Achieve University objectives

The Green Building program is vital in achieving the University’s Operational Objective PR6:

To make UWA an environmentally sustainable community.

Why do we need it?

DID YOU KNOW?

Australian average temperatures have increased by 0.9°C since 1950 according to the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology.

Their research shows it’s very likely this is due to human activities that have increased greenhouse gas levels.

Global warming can be slowed through large reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, however some warming is unavoidable and adaptation is needed.

www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au

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DID YOU KNOW?

The University has a Vice Chanceller’s Committee for Sustainable Development. Their major project in 2010 was working with the Sustainable Development section in developing a Sustainable Development Plan for the University.

FACT!

University scientists are the

most trusted source of truthful information

about climate change.

Source: CSIRO’s 2010 survey of Australian attitudes to climate change.

4. University image

• Environmental stewardship Universities are expected to be leaders in sustainability practices and education.

• Corporate image Adopting sustainable practices can improve reputation, attract positive media coverage, improve goodwill and attract more students and staff.

5. Be a big part of the solution

• People power With 3500 staff and 20,000 students the University has the human resources to make an immediate, significant change to the health of our environment.

• Educating by example As an institution that shapes the attitudes and behaviours of our future community it is imperative that the University leads by example in sustainable practices.

6. Stay ahead of:

• Legislation and other influencers Climate change and environmental degradation influences Government policies and legislation, regulatory regimes such as Councils, economics and employee well-being.

The University can better adapt to changes by implementing sustainable business practices now.

• Other educational institutions There is a strong movement amongst universities around the world to improve their sustainable practices. The University embraces this direction.

7. Morale and teamwork

•Making positive changes to protect our environment as a team improves

employee and student morale.

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Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor’s Committee for Sustainable Development, environmental sustainability becomes the responsibility of all managers, staff and students. This includes the management and planning in areas of energy, recycling, water, transport, built form, landscape, communication, and engagement and opportunities to engage with teaching and research.

Extract from the University’s Operational Priorities Plan 2009 - 2013:

3.0 Overarching Considerations

3.6 Sustainability

The community increasingly expects public and private organisations to operate on a sustainable basis. The University embraces this direction. The OPP therefore articulates strategies for a sustainable future for the University, which have been formulated with due consideration to the expected impacts on the University’s triple bottom line (social, environmental and economic). More specifically, the OPP includes a separate operational objective specifically aimed at making the University environmentally sustainable with a focus on meeting the requirements of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

Extract from the University’s A Code of Ethics and a Code of Conduct for all University Staff and Students

3. Personal and professional responsibility

3.4 Sustainability

A world-class organisation is recognised by its capacity to develop and harness the capabilities of its staff and resources through effective management with a commitment to sustainability principles and practices. The University embraces this direction. The the University’s Operational Priorities Plan for 2009-2013 establishes objectives for a sustainable future for the University. The University aims to:

• Minimise the University’s impact on world climate change;

• Minimise use of finite resources;

• Better manage and reduce overall resource use;

• Identify and address service problems highlighted by energy and water conservation projects;

• Set an example for leadership in sustainability and responsibility toward the environment;

• Provide a healthier workplace; and,

• Record and promulgate all sustainability achievements.

The University of Western Australia has addressed the importance of sustainability on campus in its code of ethics and conduct and Operational Priorities Plan 2009 - 2013.

University vision

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As an individual1. As you read through the following

pages, use the tables to mark off steps you currently do and don’t take.

2. Pat yourself on the back for the positive actions you already take.

3. Now identify the improvements you can make, to be more sustainable.

4. Organise these improvements in order of priority:

• what changes will make the biggest positive impact?

• what changes can be implemented quickly to make an impact now?

5. Set goals to ensure changes are made.

6. Review regularly.

7. Where an improvement is out of your control, suggest solutions to the person responsible.

8. Keep Sustainable Development informed of your actions, we’d love to hear about them.

9. Become a Sustainability Coordinator for your building (see below)

The following pages of this guide offer simple steps you can take to contribute to a sustainable campus. They’re presented in an easy-to-use table of steps where you can tick off actions you already take and flag actions you should start taking.

DID YOU KNOW?

Just by being energy efficient we can reduce our carbon emissions by 30%.

Steps you can take

FACT!

The 65-hectare Crawley campus is home to more than 200 species of plants and trees and more than 55 species of birds.

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As part of the Green Building programCommitment

• School or section joins the Green Building Program through the Sustainable Development section (SD) of Facilities Management.

• School or section elects Sustainability Coordinators to work with SD to improve their sustainable practices.

• Sustainability Coordinators and staff identify areas of improvement. The tables on the following pages are a useful guide.

• Sort possible improvements in order of priority and set goals:-

- what changes will make the biggest positive impact?

- what changes can be implemented quickly to make an impact now?

Policies and best practices

• Work with management to formulate sustainability policies and/or best practices for your school/section/building which will achieve your goals.

The keys to efficient resource use are the 4 R’s of waste management:

Rethink: Is it necessary to purchase extra equipment/material? Can things be done in a more sustainable manner?

Reduce: Wherever possible, it is best to reduce materials, energy and water consumption.

Reuse: If a product or material still has value in its existing form, every effort should be made to reuse it.

Recycle: Recycle only materials that cannot be reused in their existing form. Never put in general waste anything that can be recycled

• Circulate to all staff and students and encourage uptake.

• Review regularly.

Induct new staff and students

• Ensure new staff and students are familiar with your department’s involvement in the Green Building program and the steps you are taking.

Steps you can take (continued)

YES NO PRIO- RITY

Assign sustainability coordinators in your school or section to work with the Sustainable Development section

Develop a Policy for Sustainability for your school or section addressing the topics in this booklet.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

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YES NO PRIO- RITY

WAT

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Report leaks in toilets or taps immediately to FM Jobs ext 2025.

Use dishwasher only when it is full and on the shortest cycle possible.

Don’t leave the water running while soaping your hands.

Limit showers to three minutes and turn water off while soaping. Put a timer in your workplace’s shower.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

DID YOU KNOW?

When refurbishing your building Facilities Management can install water-efficient fixtures to decrease your water and energy consumption. Examples include:

•Single lever mixer taps – pre-select rather than run water to choose temperature.

• Flow restrictors – reduce water flow on mixer taps and showerheads.

•Dual flush and ultra low flow toilet cisterns and waterless urinals.

FACT!

Average litres per annum added to the University’s water use and bill by: • Singleleakingtoilet:34,000• Leakingsinktap:13,500

Winter rainfall in our state’s south-west has declined markedly resulting in a 50 per cent drop in annual inflows to reservoirs supplying the city of Perth since the mid-20th century. This has been accompanied by a 20 per cent increase in domestic usage in 20 years, and annual population growth of 1.7 per cent. It is believed that at least some of the observed drying was related to climate change.

CSIRO and Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Reducing your impact: Water

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2010 the Crawley campus consumed almost 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools of water, a total cost of $710,000.

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YES NO PRIO- RITY

LIG

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Turn off lights when not in use e.g. when leaving a meeting room.

Turn off office lights at end of the work day (security lights, which cannot be turned off are sufficient after workplaces are vacant).

Place stickers on light switches to remind colleagues to switch off when not in use.

Use daylight where possible and switch off or dim unnecessary lights.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

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Dress for the season rather than relying on heating and cooling

Check for and report drafts in doors and windows to FM Jobs ext 2025

Enlist the help of Facilities Management Jobs (ext 2025) with the following:

Notify of incandescent lights for possible future replacement

Notify of dirty lamps and fittings

Delamp fixtures (e.g. from every second fixture) where appropriate

If you can’t manually control your heating and cooling phone Central Plant on ext 2009 to assist with the steps below. If you do have control feel free to:

In winter try turning on the heating only first thing in the morning

Report air-conditioning that is too cold or heating that is too hot

Turn of air-conditioning or heating if noone is in the room eg. meeting rooms

Reduce cooling and heating by one degree and save up to 10% in cooling/heating energy.

Turn off monitor if you’ll be away from desk for 20 minutes or more.

Shut down computer if away from desk for one hour or more.

Shut down computer and turn off monitor (so stand-by light is off) at the end of the work day.

If you are the last to leave the office turn off all shared equipment OR

Elect a staff member to be responsible for turning off shared equipment eg printers and photocopiers at the end of the work day.

Set a ‘stand-by’ mode on your equipment, we recommend 10 – 15 minutes

Purchase only equipment with Energy Star1 power-saving options and have them enabled by the supplier upon delivery.

Reducing your impact: Energy

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

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FACT!

One computer (CRT) left on in full power mode overnight and weekends for one year can result in 400kg of carbon being released into the atmosphere. It’s quick, cheap and green to switch them off.

DID YOU KNOW?

A typical printer in stand-by mode will consume only 10% of its standard operational energy.

TIP!

Many buildings on the Crawley Campus are metered and Sustainable Development can provide monthly energy use reports to your section.

If your building pays for its own power its usage can be monitored on each bill.

Reporting to staff any significant changes in power use can be an excellent way to reward efforts or encourage positive changes in behaviour.

Students of the University participate

in the global environmental

campaign Earth Hour.

Photo: Sam Chesterfield-Evans

Fact: The University’s 2009 Energy Audit identified the following areas of energy usage: Equipment (including computers) 42.5%, heating and cooling 39.7% and lighting 17.8%.

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Items recyclable in the University’s office recycling bins.

DID YOU KNOW?

The collection of a recycling bin costs the University up to 30% less than a general waste bin. Considering how easy it is to recycle, throwing recyclables into landfill is money wasted (pun intended).

2010 bill: $200,000, 53% recycled

A recycling rate of 90% is achievable,

which would have saved up to $22,600.

Recycling in offices and buildings

If your building doesn’t utilise recycling bins at each work station, kitchen or lab make it your first step to contact Sustainable Development to arrange. They provide a simple, easy-to-use recycling service to all buildings, free of charge.

Recycling bins are commingled, which means all recyclables are placed in the one bin.

Materials acceptable for recycling bins are:-

• cardboard and paper (including gloss) – print-outs, newspaper, magazines, brochures, newsletters, junk mail, envelopes, post-it notes, cartons

• paper hand towels and serviettes – lightly soiled

• cardboard takeaway coffee cups (rinse)

• glass bottles and jars (rinse)

• plastic beverage bottles (empty)

• plastics labelled 1-7

• aluminium and steel cans

• milk and juice cartons

• polystyrene cups (but not packaging)

To order recycling bins for your section email recycle@uwa.edu.au or phone Sustainable Development.

1. Reuse: If a product or material still has value in its existing form, every effort should be made to reuse it (even over recycling).

2. Recycle: Recycle only materials that cannot be reused in their existing form. Never put recyclables into general waste.

Reducing your impact: Waste and recycling

Before discarding of any waste ask yourself the following questions:

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Electronic waste recycling

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and nickel, all toxic to humans and the environment, can leach out of discarded electronic waste.

Electronic equipment contains valuable materials that can be reused and recycled such as metals, plastics, copper and silver.

How to recycle:

All computers and associated equipment should be re-used or recycled and must not be placed in skip bins for landfill.

1. Ensure that the University procedures for data removal have been followed. Check with your IT staff.

2. If the electronic equipment is on the Asset Register then ensure Financial Services

procedures have been followed by completing an Asset Retirement Form

3. If the equipment is in good condition consider if it could be used elsewhere on campus, sold or donated to charity. You could advertise it in UWA News.

4. For relatively small amounts of e-waste contact recycle@uwa.edu.au

5. For large volumes visit these websites: www.zerowastewa.com.au/recovery/community/ewaste or www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/computers

DID YOU KNOW?

You save enough energy to run your tv for three hours by recycling just one can.

Pho

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Members of the 2011 UWA Clean Up Australia Day team

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Large sheets of cardboard

To recycle cardboard too large for office bins:

• Flatten cardboard and make sure all polystyrene and plastic is removed.

• Place in the 240L recycle wheelie bin (green bin with yellow lid) located outside your building.

• For large amounts there is a skip dedicated to cardboard, located in car park 8 (south). If you are unable to deliver it yourself contact Cleaning ext 2004.

Toner cartridge recycling

To reduce landfill caused by toner cartridges:-

• Purchase printers that use reusable cartridges

• Buy remanufactured toner and printer cartridges instead of new ones

• Recycle cartridges

How to recycle toner cartridges:

The following preferred suppliers offer toner recycling services and are easy to set-up. Services are either free of charge or offer discounted toner cartridges.

• Corporate Express Ph 13 26 44

• Kyocera www.kyoceramita.com.au/environment

• Ricoh www.ricoh.com.au/services-solutions/environmental

• Laser Exchange www.laserex.com.au

Battery recycling

The heavy metals present in disposed batteries leak into the ground upon erosion, contributing to soil and water pollution and endangering wildlife.

The solution is to purchase rechargable battery kits and batteries or recycle your small batteries.

Batteries suitable for recycling at the University are:

• cylindrical AAA, AA, C, D sizes

• rectangular 6 volt and 9 volt

• button batteries

How to recycle batteries:

Designate a small bin at work to batteries. When full take the bin to one of the battery recycling stations on campus:

• Mechanical Engineering South (Level 2, near the stairwell)

• MCS foyer

• Physiology foyer

• Facilities Management Workshop

FACT!

Recycling cardboard (vs new production): Uses up to 99% less water and up to 50% less energy. Each kg saves up to 1kg of greenhouse gases. One tonne saves 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kWh of electricity and 31,780 litres of water.

Reducing your impact: Waste and recycling (cont)

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DID YOU KNOW?

1000 laser cartridges saved from landfill are the equivalent of saving the metal and plastic from 9 fridges.

Mobile phones

How to recycle:

Place your phone in the mobile phone recycling box near the Reid Library coffee shop or contact mobile recycling services:

• Mobile Muster www.mobilemuster.com.au

• The Centre for Cerebral Palsy www.tccp.com.au

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Reduce waste wherever possible eg. use re-usable drink bottles

Before discarding any item consider if it can be first reused, then recycled

Purchase products with minimal packaging

Report a lack of recycling bins in your workplace to Sustainable Development who will arrange their provision free of charge

Use the University’s recycling bins wherever possible to reduce landfill

Use rechargeable batteries or recycle batteries at the University’s battery recycling stations

Recycle mobile phones at the University’s mobile phone recycling station

Arrange for toner cartridge recycling in your office

Recycle all electronic equipment

Recycle large cardboard items in the yellow-topped wheelie bin or designated cardboard skip

Never contaminate recycle bins (or the whole bin might go to landfill)

Dispose of hazardous waste responsibily and according to policy

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

PRIO- RITYNOYES

2010’s rubbish would half fill Winthrop Hall

FACT! The University discarded 7,750 cubic metres of office waste in 2010, enough to half-fill Winthrop Hall. 53% of this was recycled. Through staff and student participation we can potentially recycle 90% and reduce our land fill.

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The environment

• Improve local air quality

• Reduce global warming

• Protect local water-ways from pollution (lead, oil and grease in road runoff)

• Preserve energy resources

• Reduce land sacrifice to infrastructure

• Reduce noise

• Preserve wildlife and biodiversity, and reduce wildlife disturbance.

The following alternative transport options are available to you.

Benefits of alternative transport to:Your resources - time, money and health

•Save money in fuel, vehicle wear and tear, parking and possibly insurance

• Use your time effectively by combining your travel with other activities such as reading a book or exercising

• Improve your health through increased physical activity

• Avoid the stress of driving in traffic and wasted time finding parking

• Ditch the family’s second vehicle and save on registration, maintenance and insurance

The University

• Relieve the pressure of limited parking

• A higher demand in public transport will likely result in improved services to campus

FACT!

A standard vehicle, travelling a 17km round trip to work will emit approximately 340kgs of carbon into the atmosphere each year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Download handy maps which include public transport routes and safe cycle paths from the University’s parking and transport web page www.parking.uwa.edu.au/transport

• Public transport routes and timetables: www.transperth.wa.gov.au

• Car pooling: http://uwa.sharemycar.com

• Upcoming transport related events: www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au

• UWA Bicycle Users Group (BUG): http://sponsored.uwa.edu.au/bug/welcome

•Department of Transport WA: www.transport.wa.gov.au

University staff and students can show environmental and social leadership, while gaining valuable benefits, by reducing their use of the private motor vehicle.

Reducing your impact: Transport

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Bus and train

The Crawley campus is well placed for public transport access and is regularly serviced along its northern edge by the #102, #107, #78 and #23 buses which connect with trains at the Esplanade Busport/Train Station.

The very popular ‘Circle Route’ buses (#98 / #99) also regularly service the University.

You can avoid the city by catching the train to Subiaco and hopping aboard the #97 bus service. It’s also a stress-free way to visit Subiaco at lunch without parking.

Car pooling

The University offers a car pooling service which connects travellers and grants access to car pooling bays on campus.

The dual-use paths along the Swan River offer a scenic, safe and easy bike ride to the University.

Image courtesy City of Perth

Cycling

Situated on the picturesque banks of Matilda Bay, the University is easily accessed by bike along the river. Good quality dual-use pathways offer a fairly easy and scenic ride.

Walking

If you live within one or two kilometres of the University, walking may be the ideal way for you to commute.

Walking at a medium pace for 30 minutes will take you over a distance of almost 3 km.

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YES NO PRIO- RITY

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When upgrading your vehicle consider fuel-efficiency

Use alternative transport, including walking and cycling when possible

If you need to drive a vehicle, car pool when possible

Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained and regularly serviced

Remove roof racks and weight from your vehicle to improve fuel efficiency

Drive smoothly and steadily to increase fuel efficiency

Use air conditioning only when necessary

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

Time

10 mins 20 mins 30 mins

SLOW 0.6km 1.2km 1.8km

MEDIUM 0.9km 1.8km 2.7km

FAST 1.1km 2.2km 3.3km

WalkingSpeed

The Crawley campus is well-placed for public transport access. Images courtesy Transperth.

Reducing your impact: Transport (continued)

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YES NO PRIO- RITY

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Think before you print - does this document need printing or can it be read on screen?

On your computer, set your default printer to print double-sided. Even better choose black and white or eco printing as your default as well. For instructions contact Sustainable Development.

Photocopy doubled-sided. You may even be able to make this a default preset – contact your supplier for assistance.

Purchase paper with at least 70% recycled content.

Purchase unbleached paper or non-chemical bleached paper.

Use paper that is printed one-sided as scrap for notepads. Keep a tray near printers and encourage staff to use them. Staple them together or arrange for Uniprint to ‘gum’ them into pads at a minimal cost.

Install a recycling bin in your printing / copying room. Contact Sustainable Development to arrange.

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

FACT!

Roughly the area of the ACT in native forests are logged

unsustainably every year in Australia. Half is for producing paper. Buying recycled paper decreases habitat destruction and

biodiversity decline. Source: Wilderness Society

TIP: With improvements to processes and equipment the quality of recycled paper is on par with virgin paper. A wide range of recycled paper

well suited to modern printing equipment is available.

DID YOU KNOW?

The conventional bleaching process used to make pure white and coloured paper creates dioxin, a highly toxic carcinogenic and pollutant.

Reducing your impact: Paper

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By considering the environmental-friendliness of products before purchasing University staff not only reduce environmental impact, but educate suppliers to provide sustainable alternatives. They’ll also increase demand for environmentally-friendly products, which has the eventual benefit of reduced costs and a wider variety of choice.

Before making your next purchase consider the criteria in the following table. If you refer to it regularly when purchasing it will soon become second nature.

RECONSIDER THE PURCHASE: Can you hire borrow the product or source unused equipment elsewhere on campus? Can the old product be repaired to avoid a purchase?

Can the product be purchased second-hand?

Is the product made using mainly recycled or raw materials?

Does production or extraction of the product avoid environmental damage, such as loss of habitats or pollution?

Can the product be re-used, refilled, recharged or reconditioned to extend its life?

Is packaging made from recycled materials?

Are there alternatives that will do the same job but create less damage?

Can the product be recycled through the University’s recycling program?

Is the product energy efficient?

Is the product accredited with a recognised environmental standard?

Does the supplier have an environmental management system to maximise the sustainability of their product/s?

Is the item easily upgraded?

Is the product manufactured and / or supplied locally?

Can product packaging be reduced or eliminated?

Is the product or its components toxic or hazardous? Does it come with a material safety data sheet (MSDS)? Are there less toxic alternatives?

PURCHASING CRITERIA YES NO

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

• Corporate Express Go Green Guide: www.ce.com.au

• View supplier and purchasing information at www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au/programs/procurement

Reducing your impact: Green purchasing

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YES NO PRIO- RITY

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Close the sash on energy-greedy fume hoods when not in use

Defrost and clean refrigerator/freezer coils and filters

Eliminate old samples from your freezer

Turn off overhead lights when not needed

Use a task light if alone in the lab

Turn off equipment, ovens, chilled centrifuges when not in use

Dispose of hazardous waste

Eliminate water vacuum aspirators

Reduce single pass cooling

Use timers for water valves

Use appropriate water for each task

Wash lab ware efficiently

Use most efficient systems for water de-ionisation and filtration

Do certain experiments need to be carried out or can computerised simulations be utilised?

Use chemical substitutes when designing microscale experiments

SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS

CURRENTLY TAKEN?

Reducing you impact: Laboratories

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Choosing and sourcing appropriate species

While Sustainable Development recommends using local native plant species in outdoor landscaping, successful indoor planting often requires the use of exotic species hybrids that are capable of living in light-deprived, air conditioned environments.

Provided you never let your building plant loose in your garden or bushland, it is unlikely to ever pose an environmental problem.

A list of hardy container species that might be suited to your office space can be found at www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au/staff/green-building/guide/greening-your-space

Even the hardiest of indoor plants may find it difficult to survive in some building environments.

To ensure plant health is maintained in these areas, your office could consider using a local plant hire company who will swap your office plants every few weeks for fresh versions.

Better building air

Apart from capturing carbon emissions and increasing oxygen levels, office plants also extract harmful chemicals from the air.

Modern office and teaching facilities tend to contain large amounts of synthetic materials which emit a variety of toxic vapours dangerous to human health.

NASA research has conclusively shown that houseplants physically extract volatile organic chemicals from the air.

Chemicals found in high concentrations in building environments that were significantly reduced when plants were introduced include

• formaldehyde

• benzene

• xylene

• toluene

• ammonia

Healthy and productive people

• Improvements to air quality in your workspace will significantly reduce absenteeism, commonly associated with ‘sick building syndrome’.

• Concentration levels will increase as ambient carbon dioxide levels decrease.

• One study found that houseplants reduce fatigue, coughs, sore throats and other cold-related symptoms by more than 30%.

• Plants look nice and improve your mood.

FACT

According to a NASA study, one six inch houseplant per 100 square feet acts as an efficient air filter, and makes a significant difference to air quality.

Research shows that introducing vegetation into your work space has significant benefits for you and your co-workers.

Greening your work space

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Sustainable campus operations & Green Building development

The University’s Sustainable Development section of Facilities Management provides advice, practical assistance and some funding for Sustainable campus operations and Green Building development initiatives.

If you would like to make your workspace more sustainable but are not sure where to start, please contact us –

Email sd-fm@uwa.edu.au, phone 6488 1700 or visit the website www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au

Energy conservation

Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) www.greenhouse.gov.au

Energy Smart www.energysmart.com.au

Western Australian Office of Energy www.energy.wa.gov.au

Appliance Energy Rating www.energyrating.gov.au

Green Power (for at home) www.greenpower.com.au

Recycling

Waste Authority WA www.zerowastewa.com.au

Wastewise WA www.wastewise.wa.gov.au

Information and assistance

Water conservation

Our Water Future www.ourwaterfuture.com.au

Water Corporation www.watercorporation.com.au

Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities www.environment.gov.au/water

Climate Change

Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency www.climatechange.gov.au

CSIRO Climate Change in Australia Includes the 2007 climate change technical report developed by CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology through the Australian Climate Change Science Program

www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au

Environmental protection Department of Environment and Conservation WA www.dec.wa.gov.au

Department of Fisheries WA www.fish.wa.gov.au

Swan River Trust www.swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au

Sustainable Living

Western Australian Government’s web portal for sustainable living www.actnow.wa.gov.au

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Green Building is an initiative of theSustainable Development section of Facilities Management

The University of Western Australia M458, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley WA 6009 Tel +61 8 6488 1700Fax +61 8 6488 7534Email sd-fm@uwa.edu.auWeb www.sd.fm.uwa.edu.au

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

Published May 2011