Red light for the economy but green light for offices

When the Israeli publisher of the Yellow Pages decided to become more "green", the company turned to Green Enterprise, a firm founded by television actor Shai Avivi and producer Dan Shirai.

The first step included a comprehensive study of the areas in which the phone book company operates, and an analysis of the environmental impact of these activities. Consequently, recommendations were made as to how the company could minimize the environmental impact, beginning with energy-saving light bulbs all the way to changing employees' commuting habits.

The work of Avivi and Shirai's company is an example of a new wave of companies which assist organizations and businesses in becoming friendlier to the environment. This work is done with the help of experts and custom tailored tools, including the first comprehensive guide published by the "Green Office" and presented last week at a conference by "Ma'ale", an organization which deals with the issue of corporate responsibility. The guide addresses a range of topics, including how to dispose of waste and how to conserve energy and water.

The new green guide explains how organizations can set up a team tasked with addressing environmental issues. It also provides ideas, some of which are still in early development stages, such as an electronic signature for documents on a computer that can reduce the use of paper, which generally makes up 90% of office waste.

Another idea, which has not yet been widely implemented, is the "waterless" urinal, which uses no water at all. Instead, the inside surfaces are covered with a gel which repels liquids and leaves the surfaces clean. The guide even suggests using motion detectors, which automatically shut off lights if no one is in the room, and recommends that companies buy biodegradable and disposable cutlery made of banana peels, corn, sugar cane, and potatoes.

Dr. Noam Gressel of Assif Strategies, one of the authors of the guide, said that the goal is not to deal only with the office, but rather with the entire chain of supply of raw materials and of all of the company's products.

"The office is a means to an end. The goal is to raise awareness and commitment which will influence the other activities at the company," he said.

According to Gressel, recommendations for the new office have already been implemented by firms such as the Delta-Galil textile company, the Arison Group, which manages Bank Hapoalim among other businesses, and the Shiboleth law firm, which was also involved in preparing the guide.

Those who advise corporations on environmental issues are aware of the potential drop in investment in this area on the part of companies as a result of the economic crisis, at a time when they are dealing with threats to their very existence. But the advisors assert that this is a long-term process that will reap dividends from the savings which result from steps such as the drop in energy and water consumption.

In some cases no drastic steps are necessary. Avivi and Shirai's company examined the raw material which is used to publish the Yellow Pages, and came to the conclusion that that the Swedish company which imports the materials follows environmental standards, and that much of the material is made from recycled paper. They hope that in the coming year, the company will implement their recommendations in other areas of activity, among them encouraging employees to use public transportation for at least 20% of their travel or by carpooling with other employees. "We have a whole range of shades of green to suggest to organizations," Shirai concludes. "Every group will decide if it wants a darker or lighter green."