I have two New Years resolutions,
one is to find help with setting up a theirwork digital-based environmental audit framework, the other is to reduce the amount of stuff I have. Both of course are linked but I think it’s the audit that is key to making the other effective. I have previously set up a Health and Safety framework (for a company) and so I am transferring some of my knowledge from this experience. Over the last year, I have been recording what I have been using in terms of Internet access, light bulbs, computer equipment, computer software, staples, batteries, petrol etc, in a paper diary, but I have not been working within a framework. Earlier this year, I realised that I needed to contact someone like Envirowise (though they are government based, so we might clash on open source issues) to help determine a framework for the project, one that was realistic and one that I could use again, and one that others might be encouraged to use as a template.

Anyway, for the moment I am going to continue recording in a paper diary. Here’s some visual material to indicate a fraction of what I have been recording. It is slowly helping to improve my working practice and daily habits. More than ever, I have aspirations for things like a big chunky stapless stapler (mine can only clip 4 sheets of paper together and the next best I can find can does 7) and a solar charger. Most importantly, I have to plant some trees to make up in some way for my flights to Galway.

Office practice

Left to right: stapless stapler, rechargeable Pritt Stick, 100% recycled reused paper, 100% recycled paper,
[bad] Microsoft Word to format letter (can’t run Open Office on my version of OSX), reused envelopes
and getting participants to reuse envelopes, low energy light bulbs, rechargeable batteries and charger
(I use a total of eight batteries every time I do a qualitative one-to-one interview)

Packing for Galway trip

Left to right: pack lunch, chopsticks, bag in a purse,
flask, water bottle, battery charger

Dublin throwaway cups

Slush Puppie (found), Lavaazza (found), Bewley’s (consumed)

Throwaways consumed in Dublin

Throwaway eating set from Nude, [bad] Duracell batteries

Two flights, Newquay-Dublin rtrn

Dublin to Newquay, 210 nautical miles x 4 = about 784 miles = 0.2 tons/344.5 llbs CO2 Emissions.
(The second trip was meant to be on the ferry but there was a strike and I had difficulty with the crossing times.)

Place for collecting new stapless stapler links
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2004/12/stapless_staple.php
http://www.haitronics.com/Novelties.htm
http://www.ecc-ltd.co.uk/hs_dtectamet_14.htm