Office Case Study

ACT Department of Environment,
Land and Planning

Contact:	ECO Workplace Coordinator
		Ph: (06) 207 2327
		Fx: (06) 207 2244
Postal address:	P.O. Box 1119
		Tuggeranong,ACT, 2901

Environmentally-friendly workplace scheme

Description of Project

Utilising a Commonwealth initiative, in 1991-92 the ACT Department of Environment, Land and Planning (DELP) conducted a two year project trial as an 'eco office' with the aim of demonstrating that savings could be made from the implementation of simple, environmentally-friendly work place initiatives.

The trial demonstrated that savings of 10% on operational costs could be made through the implementation of environmentally best work practices at little or no cost.

Judged as successful, in June 1993 the Chief Minister of the ACT Government announced that workplace environmental practice would become government policy. An inter-agency steering committee was formed and in 1994 an ECO Workplace Kit was launched as an aid to implementing the scheme in all 12 of the ACT government agencies.

Innovative ideas implemented by some of the government agencies as part of the ECO Workplace Scheme include the installation of light sensors or timers in low use areas, conversion to dual flush toilets, pre-mixed 'push-on' bathroom taps, recycling of organic matter through worm farms, the use of computer printout paper by local child care centres, and the donation of old computers to local schools.

Employment

Reporting to the inter-agency steering committee, the ECO Workplace Coordinator's position is parttime (three days per week.)

Ten departments have appointed employees as ECO Workplace Officers who spend 20% of their time formulating and monitoring implementation of the scheme.

Then, within each work area of a department, an employee is selected as an ECONet Officer to work towards introducing the scheme and educating their fellow employees about the benefits. The ECONet Officer reports to the ECO Workplace Officer on a monthly basis.

Participation

Within each agency there is an ECO Workplace Network which comprises employees from different work areas under the direction of their agency's ECO Workplace Officer. The number of ECONet Officers averages one officer for every 20 employees.

The inter-agency steering committee comprises a representative from each ACT government agency and an ACT government co-ordinator. Meeting monthly, the committee reports on the implementation of the scheme within each agency, shares ideas and gains mutual support for initiatives.

Further Plans

DELP, as with the whole of the ACT Government public service, is still in the development and educational phase of the overall project. Most of DELP's efforts have gone towards lessening paper use and educating the employees about the benefits of implementing the actions outlined in the kit. When the ECO Workplace Scheme is fully implemented, it is expected that the true savings will become apparent.

It is proposed to expand the ECO Workplace Scheme across all 12 ACT government departments.

For more information, contact 

ACF / ACTU Green Jobs
Unit 340 Gore Street
Fitzroy,3065
Ph: (03) 416 0355
Fx: (03) 416 0767
Email:acflib@peg.apc.org.

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