what we are doing

Current initiatives through which Progressio is seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its activities include:

• promoting office recycling: reusing envelopes and scrap paper, and setting up recycling points for paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastics
• switching our office electricity supplier to a green provider (Ecotricity)
• reducing office energy use: notices and reminders encouraging staff to switch off computers, monitors, printers, photocopiers, office lights, etc, when not in use, and to restrict the use of air conditioning and heaters
• switching to organic and fair trade suppliers for tea, coffee, milk, etc
• installing a water filter in place of bottled water coolers
• banning paper/plastic cups and plates and providing reuseable crockery
• ensuring all office paper supplies are 100% recycled (including toilet paper and paper towels where used)
• encouraging a paperless office by notices/reminders to consider before printing/photocopying
• ensuring all new office furniture is from sustainable/renewable sources
• ensuring all Progressio publications are printed on 100% recycled paper by printers with accreditation for following international environmental standards
• carrying out an audit of Progressio print publications with a view to reducing print useage and promoting dissemination of publications in electronic formats
• installing Skype and videoconferencing facilities for meetings and seminars
• carrying out a staff travel survey and encouraging walking, cycling and use of public transport for commuting to work and travelling to and from meetings
• researching the organisation's carbon footprint for international travel with a view to reviewing the organisational travel policy
• passing on energy saving tips to our country offices

December 2007