---
# System prepended metadata

title: Green Your Scene
tags: [locals]

---

# Green Your Scene

###### tags: `locals`

For full details check out [the document this was all pilfered from](https://www.otago.ac.nz/sustainability/otago731689.pdf) and the [Green your scene website](https://www.otago.ac.nz/sustainability/green-your-scene/)


## Award Levels

**Seedling:** All seedling actions completed
**Sapling:** 75% of actions from four theme completed
**Kowhai:** 90% of actions from five themes completed

These are all additive. To move to *sapling* we must have completed *seedling*.

## Sustainable Development Goals

- [Engagement](#Engagement)
- [Resource use](#Resource-Use)
- [Travel](#Travel)
- [Energy](#Energy)
- [Health and well-being](#Well-being)
- [Innovation and Leadership](#Innovation-and-Leadership)

---

### Engagement

**Seedling**

1. [ ] We have publicised that we are participating in Green Your Scene this year.
    - Newsletter
    - Social media
    - noticeboard
3. [ ] Our team has got together and talked about our motivations in taking small        steps together towards sustainability, and have created a brief action plan to        help guide our initial actions.
    - Full team meeting
5. [ ] We regularly include sustainability in our meeting agendas and record key        discussion points in our meeting minutes.
6. [ ] We include sustainability in staff inductions by asking new staff to review        the sustainability website (otago.ac.nz/sustainability). We also have stuff in the training manual.
    - Training manual for green your scene
8. [ ] We have made a commitment to sustainability on a public platform and        described the sort of actions that we take. E.g. facebook, newsletter, website.
9. [x] We have met with our head of department or other relevant leaders in our division and talked about participating in Green Your Scene.

**Sapling and Kowhai**

1. [ ] We have a designated space (physical or digital) that we use to provide        staff (and students) with up-to-date sustainability tips and information        related to practices, events and groups, as well as to celebrate individual        and team accomplishments.
    - Put it in the newsletter
3. [ ] We have actively promoted key members who are on our Green Your        Scene team to the wider workplace so they know who to talk to about        sustainable changes.
    - In the slack
5. [ ] We have sought sustainability related ideas from our staff and students and        used this to help guide our next steps in Green Your Scene.
    - Full team meetings.
    - Could get input from students through the newsletter
7. [ ] Our team members have attended at least one University of Otago event        this year that captured a Sustainable Development Goal       (https://www.globalgoals.org/).
    - We'll be running events that do this
9. [ ] Our area has integrated sustainability as a concept into our events, and        uses the Sustainability Office’s event guide as a tool to help our planning.
    - Volunteer committee checks this box, as does social
11. [ ] At least one staff member is subscribed to the Otago Bulletin Board and          Sustainability Office social media accounts and disseminates relevant        information to the team.Facebook – @sustainabilityatotagoYammer –  Green Your Scene I StaffInstagram – sustainability_at_otago
    - Followed by otagolocals
13. [ ] An environmental statement is included in PDR’s for all staff within the team.
    - only Maya
15. [ ] Our team has sent at least two photos accompanied by a caption to the        Sustainability Office (greenyourscene@otago.ac.nz) to be celebrated on       social media.
    - Pulled from events. E.g. clothes swap

---

### Resource Use

**Seedling**

1. [ ] We have circulated the waste minimisation email. A template, to which you        can add specific information, is found in the “Resources” folder on the        Green Your Scene Google Drive or online at otago.ac.nz/sustainability        under “Resources”.
    - Put in slack
3. [ ] We have appointed a Waste Champion to act as a source of support and        information on good waste minimisation practices. Champions receive        training and support throughout the year. Register your Waste Champion at        otago.ac.nz/sustainability.
    - Arlo?
5. [ ] We regularly take action to reduce paper consumption when printing is        unavoidable. Some ideas to help, beyond having your default settings to        print double-sided and in black and white, might be to:
    - Scan rather than photocopy documents for circulation.
    - Make documents available online as PDFs.
    - Send agendas and notes electronically rather than printing.
    - Use screens to project documents in meetings.
    - Use booklet format where possible to limit toner and paper               consumption.
6. [ ] We ensure bins are correctly labelled with posters; fixed on or above each        bin. The following bins should be labelled: co-mingled recycling; glass;          paper and cardboard; general waste (other). Posters can be printed from        the “Resources” folder on the Green Your Scene Google Drive or online at         otago.ac.nz/sustainability under “Resources”.
    - Get a recycling bin, label it.
8. [x] We recycle toner cartridges, mobile phones and obsolete IT equipment        (otherwise known as e-Waste). Find out how: otago.ac.nz/its/services/help,        or contact Property Services.
9. [x] Tea and coffee purchased for catered events and shared kitchens is         Fairtrade. Talk to your buildings supplier to find out how.
10. [x] Where not otherwise instructed by health and safety regulations, we use        cleaning products such as hand soap, dishwashing detergent and powder        that are certified for environmental protection (e.g. Environmental Choice        New Zealand).
    - We buy earthwise and ecostore

**Sapling and Kowhai**

1. [ ] Our Waste Champion has attended their training session.        Please see timeline on page two for dates.
2. [ ] We have run a competition, campaign or activity this year to engage staff,        and students if you wish, in waste and recycling. Here are some ideas:
    - Quiz in full team meeting
    - Clothes swap
2. [ ] We have run a campaign or activity this year to engage staff, and students        if you wish, in reuse to minimise waste. Here are some ideas:
    - Provide reusable containers, coffee cups or shopping bags for use.
    - Run an “amnesty” where staff can exchange unwanted office stationary, electronic equipment or other items.
    - Host an upcycling workshop.
2. [ ] We take action to streamline ordering and reduce our impact from        purchasing. Here are some ideas:
    - We avoid placing small orders (less than $50) unless absolutely necessary.
    - We consolidate orders between teams into one larger order to reduce                duplication and delivery numbers.
    - We order less frequently.
    - We choose environmentally and socially responsible products (e.g. Fairtrade/WFTO or Environmental Choice New Zealand).
2. [ ] When sending mail we use envelopes without plastic windows and recycled               or biodegradable packaging.
3. [ ] We take regular action to reduce food waste. Visit the Love Food Hate          Waste website (lovefoodhatewaste.co.nz) for more information about cutting        food waste at work and at home. Some ideas including:
    - Labelling food in communal fridges.
    - Taking steps to reduce waste from delivered catering.
    - Create a spot in your kitchen for shared leftovers.
5. [ ] We run responsible purchasing initiatives. For example, we organised an             initiative, competition, campaign or activity this year to engage staff, and        students if you wish, in responsible purchasing practices. Here are some        ideas:
    - Run a bake off during Fairtrade Fortnight (24 February - 8 March                 2020) where at least two ingredients are Fairtrade.
    - Organise a Fairtrade coffee break or bake sale.
    - Promote local cafes in your area that sell Fairtrade coffee.
7. [ ] We avoid purchasing through reuse. This year, we have avoided at least         one large-scale purchase through reuse, or obtained redundant items from       elsewhere. For information about the Universities Recycling Centre visit       propertyservices/recycling-centre.
8. [ ] We have set up a Terracycle collection point for objects such as pens. Visit        terracycle.com/en-NZ/brigades for more information on what objects you        can collect for recycling.

---

### Well-being

**Seedling**

1. [ ] We have circulated the health and well-being email to all staff. A template,        to which you can add specific information, is found in the “Resources” folder        on the Green Your Scene Google Drive or online at        otago.ac.nz/sustainability under “Resources”.`
    - Through slack
3. [ ] We encourage people to sit less and move more. Resources from the        Health Promotion Agency are available in the “Additional Resources” folder         on the Green Your Scene Google Drive or explore online here:         sit-less-move-more.
    - Run something to encourage movement during the exam period
    - Pomodoro technique
5. [ ] We encourage the five ways to well-being  (Connect, Be Active, Keep        Learning, Give, and Take Notice), reminding staff (and students) to do the        simple things that make a difference.
    - newsletter
    - slack
7. [ ] We have at least two natural plants in our office space.
8. [ ] We have actively promoted staff memberships and activities from local        gyms (Unipol). To find out about Unipol staff memberships check this link:        Unipol/memberships
    - subwardens get free group classes at unipol
10. [ ] We have arranged a team shared lunch in a green space e.g. Dunedin        Botanical Gardens.
    - pot luck team meeting - summer

**Sapling and Kowhai**

1. [ ] We have organised an initiative, competition, campaign or activity this year         to engage staff, and students if you wish, in physical activities.         Here are some ideas:
    - relay for life
    - social fitness in slack
3. [ ] We have run an initiative, competition, campaign or activity this year to         engage staff, and students if you wish, in healthy eating.         Here are some ideas:
    - Organise a pot-luck lunch with a focus on healthy food
    - A healthy recipe exchange.- A kitty to purchase fruit and other healthy snacks.
    - If the department has vending machines, ensure healthy options are                 included.
    - recipe of the week
4. [ ] Staff are encouraged to bring excess produce from their gardens, and there is a "free to a good home" basket in a visible location in the kitchen / tea room.
5. [ ] We have actively promoted desk-based exercise activities such as desk            yoga and blood moving movements.
    - Maya is the only one with desk
7. [ ] We have created a staff sports team outside of work hours
    - badminton?
9. [x] We have created a wellbeing space for staff to use when they can’t get outside for some fresh air.
11. [ ] We have worked with the wider team to create a shared office culture         statement based around sustainability.
    - Full team meeting

---

### Travel

**Seedling**

1. [ ] We encourage our staff and students to use public transport and active        travel options for local business journeys, and avoid the use of hire cars and        taxis where possible.
    - Promote bee cards
    - Bus timetables
3. [ ] We have circulated the sustainable travel email. A template, to which you        can add specific information, is found in the “Resources” folder on the        Green Your Scene Google Drive or online at otago.ac.nz/sustainability        under “Resources”.
4. [ ] We promote sustainable travel information and options to our visitors about        how they could travel to the department using public or active travel options        (e.g. a map or written instructions) including the main walking, cycling and        bus routes to your workplace and information on end of trip facilities.
    - In the newsletter
    - Parking is a bitch
6. [ ] We have appointed an Active Travel Champion. Active travel champions act        as a source of guidance and information on active travel options.        Champions receive training and support throughout the year.        Register your Travel Champion at otago.ac.nz/sustainability.

**Sapling and Kowhai**

1. [ ] Our Travel Champion has attended their training session.        Please see timeline on page two for dates.
2. [ ] We have organised an initiative, competition, campaign or activity this year        to encourage staff, and students if you wish, to travel sustainably.        Here are some ideas:
    - Organise regular walks or bike rides.
    - Take part in a Smart Travel Challenge, and promote Smart Travel competitions where people can record their sustainable journeys and get rewarded the more they walk, cycle, bus and rideshare.
    - Set up a bike buddy scheme to encourage cycling to the University with the help of a more experienced colleague.
    - Set up a carpooling speed dating session.
4. [ ] We are actively identifying and introducing additional measures to reduce        emissions from business-related travel, such as:
    - Include zoom link option
6. [ ] The team has an active system in place to monitor and record the number        of business miles travelled by different modes of transport including        departmental vehicles, private vehicles, taxis, planes and bicycles.
7. [ ] We have promoted to staff ‘better car use’ tips. This could include:
    - When their car is in traffic and stationary for long periods of time it is better to switch off the engine rather than letting it “idle”. Anything over 10 seconds generates more greenhouse gases than stopping the engine and restarting – and saves money as well!
    - Keep tyres properly inflated! Under-inflated tyres don’t roll as efficiently as fully inflated ones, so your engine burns more fuel getting  you places – which means more carbon emissions.
    - Reduce the road rage. When you drive aggressively or accelerate rapidly, you’re making your car burn more fuel than it needs to and it isn’t that great for your health either!
9. [ ] We have encouraged staff within the department to “give it a go” in order to        travel more sustainably by walking, cycling, using public transport or car        sharing where they would previously have taken a car on their own – this        could be part of an active travel campaign.
10. [ ] We have hosted a sustainable travel competition where staff are        encouraged to get to work “car free” in the most creative way.
11. [ ] We have hosted guest speakers electronically through Zoom rather than in        person (for more information, see: Videoconferencing for Climate)
12. [ ] Got a better idea? Does your department’s approach go above and beyond        our criteria? Share what you’ve been doing with us and this action could        count towards your sapling or kōwhai award.

---

### Energy

**Seedling**

1. [ ] We have circulated the energy saving email. A template, to which you can        add specific information, is found in the “Resources” folder on the Green        Your Scene Google Drive or online at otago.ac.nz/sustainability under        “Resources”.
2. [ ] We have appointed an Energy Champion (per building). Energy Champions        help promote energy savings in your area. Champions receive training and        support throughout the year. Register your Energy Champion at        otago.ac.nz/sustainability.
2. [ ] We have labelled light switches and other equipment as appropriate, so         people know to switch things off. The Sustainability Office can provide         switch prompt decals to help (email us greenyourscene@otago.ac.nz to         order).
    - By main doors
4. [x] We have ensured there are no obstructions in front of heaters.
5. [ ] We encourage colleagues to put their computer to sleep when not in use.
6. [ ] We encourage staff to use daylight instead of lights during the day.
7. [ ] We ensure the dishwasher is full before turning it on. The use of signage may help the whole team work on this.

**Sapling and Kowhai**

1. [ ] We have done an energy walk-around with our Energy Champion, Energy        Efficiency Co-ordinator Mark Mason (mark.mason@otago.ac.nz), and        invited our Facility Manager to learn about heating in our building before the        Energy Champion training in April.
2. [ ] Our Energy Champion has attended at their training session.        Please see timeline on page two for dates.
2. [ ] We use an energy meter to determine the energy usage of everyday items        to get people thinking about energy use. Contact Property Services to        borrow one.
2. [ ] We have requested a monthly energy report for our building/s and        displayed this in a communal area. Contact Property Services for this        request.
2. [ ] We have run an energy saving initiative this year to engage staff, and        students if you wish, in energy saving.        Here are some ideas:
    - Run a competition for people in the building to propose energy saving                ideas.
    - Run a campaign about a particular issue identified during energy                walk-around.
    - Host seasonal energy campaigns.
    - Energy consumption quiz
4. [ ] We have let energy management know when our building in occupied so         it’s not heated or lit unnecessarily. Email: ps.energysupport@otago.ac.nz
5. [ ] We have worked with our team, to adopt and promote some key energy              saving ideas through GenLess.
6. [ ] We actively encourage staff to take the stairs where appropriate.
    - No trust box

---

### Innovation and Leadership

**Seedling**

1. [ ]  We have a sustainability group (with at least two members) that meet         regularly to review our contribution to Otago’s Green Your Scene initiative.
    - Champions have to have meeting
    - Maya and NAthan to attend (mostly)
3. [ ] We have identified a team lead whom others can contact with ideas,        questions, and comments regarding the Green Your Scene initiative.
    - Nathan and Maya
5. [ ] Our champions keep up to date with recent developments, new projects            and information via social media, share this with online networks, and        actively champion sustainable practices at our internal meetings.
    - Spot in the agenda
7. [ ] We promote and get involved in volunteer activities in our local community,        such as beach clean-ups, charity street appeals, planting day etc.
8. [ ] We have thought of a few actions to continue over the summer to ensure        positive long-term change.
    - Leaders carrying on next year do team bonding
10. [ ] Submit your (partially) completed checklist by this year’s submission date        and get your contribution towards helping the University become more        sustainable recognised.

**Sapling and Kowhai**

2. [ ] Staff in the team have participated in two or more charity initiatives in the        past 12 months.
2. [ ] Support the establishment of a new team (not yours) to participate in Green        Your Scene for the first time.
2. [ ] We’ve written a success story about an impactful or innovative action our        team has taken this year around one of the themes of Green Your Scene.        This story could be shared on the Otago Bulletin Board, Yammer, Facebook       or Instagram. You can use the Success Story proposal template available in        the “resources” folder on the Green Your Scene Google Drive.
2. [ ] A departmental sustainability plan has been developed, which contributes to       the goals outlined in the Sustainability Strategic Framework – available in       the “Additional Resources” folder on the Green Your Scene Google Drive or       online at otago.ac.nz/sustainability under “Resources”. 
1. [ ] We've put together a step-by-step guide for other offices to adopt one of our        significant changes this year.
2. [ ] We've collated our team’s sustainable actions this year, connected them to        the relevant SDGs and shared this information within our workspace.
2. [ ] We have collaborated with another staff team to run an initiative, event or        campaign which involved the two teams actively coming together to        participate. For example:
    - A pot luck lunch for the two teams to get together.
    - A combined Relay for Life team.
    - A team versus team Fairtrade bake-off.
4. [ ] We’ve solicited feedback from our department on where they wish to see           sustainable action within our workplace.
5. [ ] We have proposed two new criteria for next year’s Green Your Scene Guide        – Workplace and have sent these to greenyourscene@otago.ac.nz. Please        refer to the University’s Sustainability Strategic Framework to ensure the        criteria aligns with the overarching activities and goals of the University.        The Framework can be found at otago.ac.nz/sustainability under        “Resources”.

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## Training Dates

Mar 26 - Travel Champion
Apr 23 - Energy Champion
May 21 - Waste Champion
Jul 3 - Mid-year check in

## Reports

Sep 1 - Activity report and evidence
Oct - Awards?