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RISE OF THE GREEN COLLAR WORKER
RESEARCH shows
that Britons are taking green ethics to work with them. British
industry is witnessing the rise of the Green Collar Worker, that’s
according to Fujitsu Siemens Computers. Recent research from the
company shows that 78% of British workers believe that they’re more
environmentally conscious today than they were 5 years ago. So much
so, that a growing number of them have begun to take their green
conscious with them to work.
When at home, 85% of workers say that they recycle waste and 67% say
they would choose to walk or cycle for a journey of up to a mile.
Almost a half (45%) also say that they purchase organic food
products and 29% make a point of dealing with ethical companies.
But it’s outside the home where the results are perhaps more
encouraging as workers’ enthusiasm to ‘go green’ appears to be
spilling over into the workplace. 63% of British workers make sure
that they consciously save energy by turning off their PCs overnight
and 68% say that they already recycle paper at work. 27% employees
have gone as far as actively lobbying their employer to implement
more environmentally friendly policies (such as procurement of green
IT systems, energy saving and recycling). Interestingly, 1 in 4
workers are also active in trying to reduce their daily fuel
consumption by lift sharing with a colleagues).
Fujitsu Siemens Computers released the first RoHS compliant “green”
laptop – the AMILO V2030 in September 2005. Garry Owen,
Head of Product Marketing at the company commented:- “It’s
great to see that 75% of the country feel more environmentally aware
than they did five years ago, but even more so that the green
domestic habits of British workers are beginning to be transferred
to the workplace. Whilst there is still more to be done in order to
close the gap between how green we are at home and at work the
results are certainly encouraging.
Fujitsu Siemens Computers has pioneered the development of green IT
systems and promoting their use in both the home and the workplace
for some time now. We hope that continued pressure and awareness
from this emerging group of ‘green collar workers’ - alongside green
IT directives such as WEEE and RoHS – can only help to make many
more UK businesses greener places to work over the next 5 years.”
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Schools' Steps to Health
SCHOOLS
across Liverpool will be taking part in
International Walk to School Week next week.
Pupils will be joining children from 36 countries in a global Walk
to School from October 3 to 7. Last year nearly three million
children took part in the event which gets over the message that
travelling to school the healthy way is a year round activity.
Cllr Peter Millea, Executive Member for Regeneration, said:-
"Some schools take part for road safety reasons, some to promote
healthier habits and some to conserve the environment.
More and more children are being driven to school now and congestion
outside the school gate is a problem for many schools. But the
school journey can be a positive experience for both children and
parents if they leave the car at home and International Walk to
School Week is a great way to get these ideas across."
Merseyside Travel Wise and Liverpool City Council are offering
schools the chance to enter a competition. The school with the
highest percentage of walkers can win £100. Pupils are also being
invited to design a poster highlighting the environmental or health
benefits associated with walking. The top prize is a £50 voucher.
Alice Rickwood, City Council School Travel Strategy Officer said:-
"Walking to and from school on a regular basis provides
children with a regular source of physical activity and helps
contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For their health children should
aim to be active for 60 minutes a day accumulated over the course of
the day. Walking to and from schools is about making important steps
to a healthy and physically active lifestyle for adults and children
alike."
International Walk to School Week is supported by Merseyside
Travel Wise and Liverpool City Council. For further information on
Walk to School Week or School Travel Plans contact Merseyside
Travel Wise on 0151 330 1290/1851
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