In the Office

Much of the work involved in screen production is office-based. As with any business there are environmental impacts associated with the day-to-day activities of an office. These are usually energy use, transportation, waste generation in particular electronic waste, and water consumption. Screen production offices are no different. Below are suggestions for improving the sustainability of your office.

Water and wastewater

Measure your water consumption. Check your bill for information on litres consumed or take regular meter readings. Use this information as a benchmark for measuring water reduction initiatives.
When purchasing appliances or fittings such as taps, shower heads or toilets choose ones with good water efficiency ratings.
Use the economy and half-load options on dishwashers and washing machines where appropriate.
Wash in cold water.
Use biodegradable laundry products, and avoid cleaning products that contain phosphates, optical brighteners and chlorine bleach.
Discourage staff from leaving water running and encourage staff to report leaky taps and fittings.
Provide gardeners and maintenance staff with low flow hoses and water efficient fittings.
Do not allow staff or mobile valet companies to wash vehicles in car parks or on any paved surface.
Identify and prevent hazardous substances entering wastewater and storm water systems, including for emergency situations.
Outside drains are for rain only. Provide spill kits and storm water drain covers and train designated staff in their use.


Although water covers approximately 2 thirds of the Earth’s surface only 2.5% of it is freshwater, and 2 thirds of that is stored in ice caps and glaciers. All that adds up to less than 1% of the Earth’s water that is available to humans. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has identified water shortage as one of the two most worrying global problems, the other is climate change. There are several reasons for water shortages including differing rainfall levels in different regions, insufficient storage capacity, and in efficient practices. In urban New Zealand we use drinking quality water to wash our cars and flush our toilets, when in some parts of the world there is little or no access to water safe enough for drinking! We can all play our part, don’t taker water for granted, use it efficiently and consciously.
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