05 May 2016

Recycling in the office, composting food waste, energy and water efficiency, encouraging active and low carbon transport … these are some of the many tasks green teams are addressing in businesses. They are often the day-to-day contact point in the business for environmental questions.

Green teams are cross‐functional groups of employees who come together to educate, inspire and empower employees around sustainability, both at work and at home. They identify and implement specific solutions to help their organisation operate in a more environmentally sustainable fashion.

It is because the green teams are essential in a business to spread good environmental practices that the VIBES awards decided to open a Green team category to recognise their work.

This award is open to public, private and third sector organisations.

Green teams bring many benefits including:

  • Cost savings – reducing costs associated with waste, energy and water;
  • Influencing others to adopt low carbon behaviours at work and at home;
  • Attracting and retaining talent – supplying transferable, in-office skills, improving employee morale and satisfaction, reducing staff absenteeism;
  • Customer expectations – strengthening brand and increasing market share;
  • Regulatory compliance – staying ahead of legislation;
  • Aligning practices with values – walking the talk; and
  • Sharing best practice – within the organisation and to a wider audience.

I believe green teams are key in delivering environmental messages and encourage behaviour change throughout a business and the communities they live on. They are the accessible point of contact, a point of reference for environmental questions in the business.” Ian Murdoch, manager for Scottish transport at the Energy Saving Trust, Scotland. 

For more information, take a look at the application form and guidance note or contact us at vibes@sepa.org.uk

Good luck

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