Keen To Be Green at vInspired

Organisations up and down the country and indeed all over the world are gradually stepping up to the Green mark and recognising the importance of promoting an environmentally responsible approach to business.

From housing construction to banking, to food production and charities, green initiatives are increasingly being adopted by companies everywhere. We at vInspired felt it was imperative to do the same - and where better to start than with our own workforce?

Green Points Scheme pilot

A pilot ‘Green Points Scheme’ launched in September 2012 and ran for 6 weeks. Taking the form of a digital, interactive logging chart, employees were given the chance to earn points against different categories, and fill in weekly the points they had earned.

Categories ranged from mode of travel to work, to bringing a desk plant into the office. The notion was for there to be an Ultimate Green Champion (yes, in capitals) at the end of the 6 week period, decided by who had earned the most points. A simple but effective concept.

A competitive edge

Ever since school sports day we have had a competitive spirit drilled into us, and the Green Points Scheme was good evidence that this seemingly does not spare the workplace! From pleadings for bonus points to tactical capitalization on categories that earned most points, vInspired staff have certainly been in-it-to-win-it.

In total twenty-eight out of forty-five members of staff got involved. Fourteen brought in a plant, five changed the way they travelled to work, three changed their lunch menu to avoid air miles and non-recyclable packaging - and one asked if dressing up as a tree would get bonus points.

Keeping it going

Overall there was brilliant enthusiasm and a good balance between humour and seriousness.

Let’s hope the overall effect is an increase in environmental consciousness amongst all staff and further green schemes to look forward to in the future.

Are you keen to be green? Is your organisation participating in any similar schemes to become more envirionmentally friendly? We’d love to hear about them.