by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs
Green is not only mainstream, it's now considered a good business strategy, as companies large and small are pursuing sustainability and eco-friendly policies in a big way.
Whether or not "green" is among your job duties, you can boost your own career prospects by making the company look environmentally friendly and lightening its environmental footprint.
Ways to Effect Change
Experts point out four ways you can affect change on the job:
1. Take your green habits to work. At home, you may turn off lights when you leave a room, recycle religiously, and eschew Styrofoam, but does your behavior change in the office?
"Setting a good example is a first step toward encouraging eco-friendly policies at work," said Linda Sorrento of the U.S. Green Building Council.
2. Do the homework. Companies may want to do the right thing, but they're daunted by the amount of effort they think is required.
"If you can do the legwork for them -- and present a compelling case -- they're more likely to adopt changes," said Jennifer Hattam, green living editor for Sierra Magazine.
3. Quantify the benefits. "Because many of green policies have a direct cost benefit, share your ideas the person who's responsible for cutting costs," said Monique Tilford of the Center for the New American Dream.
4. Turn your job green. If you're in IT, you might be able to buy more efficient computers.
"If you're in purchasing, ask suppliers about the environmental impact of their products," said Gwen Ruta, director of corporate partnerships at Environmental Defense. "Just asking the questions makes a big difference."
Build Consensus at Work
Unless you're a department head or CEO, you probably can't affect big changes without getting buy-in, so the types of policies you want to implement will determine your approach:
Green is not only mainstream, it's now considered a good business strategy, as companies large and small are pursuing sustainability and eco-friendly policies in a big way.
Whether or not "green" is among your job duties, you can boost your own career prospects by making the company look environmentally friendly and lightening its environmental footprint.
Ways to Effect Change
Experts point out four ways you can affect change on the job:
1. Take your green habits to work. At home, you may turn off lights when you leave a room, recycle religiously, and eschew Styrofoam, but does your behavior change in the office?
"Setting a good example is a first step toward encouraging eco-friendly policies at work," said Linda Sorrento of the U.S. Green Building Council.
2. Do the homework. Companies may want to do the right thing, but they're daunted by the amount of effort they think is required.
"If you can do the legwork for them -- and present a compelling case -- they're more likely to adopt changes," said Jennifer Hattam, green living editor for Sierra Magazine.
3. Quantify the benefits. "Because many of green policies have a direct cost benefit, share your ideas the person who's responsible for cutting costs," said Monique Tilford of the Center for the New American Dream.
4. Turn your job green. If you're in IT, you might be able to buy more efficient computers.
"If you're in purchasing, ask suppliers about the environmental impact of their products," said Gwen Ruta, director of corporate partnerships at Environmental Defense. "Just asking the questions makes a big difference."
Build Consensus at Work
Unless you're a department head or CEO, you probably can't affect big changes without getting buy-in, so the types of policies you want to implement will determine your approach:
- Talk to the office manager about changing printer paper to a brand with more recycled content and replacing printers with duplexers.
- See if your facilities manager will switch to CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or put lights on a timer.
- Convince your IT department to set computers to go to sleep mode automatically.
- Notify HR about bike parking, carpooling, or telecommuting.
- Tell your department head about posting materials online (where they're easier to update as well) versus print copies.
- Ask the meeting planner whether they could buy reusable dishes and silverware.
- If your suggestions are implemented, tell the company's press or PR department; they'll be glad to position the company as eco-friendly.
If your ideas get a lukewarm reception, see if it's OK to circulate environmental tips to coworkers, or start an informal employee group. "Working with employees to brainstorm changes is an effective way to promote sustainability and also to find solutions for 'sick office syndrome,'" said Sorrento.
Experts agree that saving your company money and greening its reputation will put you in a good light. It can also build your initiative, creativity, and negotiation experience, among other skills.
Hattam adds that, since green business is a growth industry, "having some eco-action on your resume will make you a more attractive job candidate in the future."
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