Written by Gillian Hrycko, Environment and Business Analyst, HP Canada
The Smart Office Challenge is a fun and engaging campaign that encourages employees to think about the way they use IT equipment. From a power down challenge, to a used electronics recycling drive, the Smart Office Challenge guides you through an easy, step-by-step set of fun activities that help reduce the energy and waste footprint in your workplace. At HP Canada, we took the challenge toward creating a smarter and greener office, and we want to encourage other offices to get involved too.
Here are five reasons why:

1. Meet new people

Whether it’s working with your IT manager to complete the Green IT checklist, teaming up with a colleague to host your own “print responsibly” challenge, or inviting other workplaces out to your e-waste collection event, the Smart Office Challenge will give you a chance to meet new co-workers, as well as individuals from other organizations.

2. Instill some friendly competition

Perhaps your organization is like mine, where there is no greater incentive for employees than victory. During our power down challenge, we asked employees to make sure they turned off their monitors at the end of each day. Then, we conducted weekly audits on each floor showcasing the results and celebrating the team that was leading the pack in powering down. By the end of the challenge, I wasn’t the only one going around the office to make sure monitors were off!

3. Save your organization money

Executives love to hear about cost savings. You love to make your executives happy. By implementing energy-saving programs, you can reduce your electrical consumption by half. For example, working with your IT team to ensure all office printers are set to automatically print two-sided can cut your paper use by 25 to 50 per cent, depending on the number of odd pages printed.

4. Hug an IT person

The most common complaints IT hears: “This isn’t working” and “HELP!” Here’s a chance to work with your IT department to buy environmentally responsible IT equipment, implement policies to reduce energy and waste – and feel the love generated by working together to save money and energy.

5. Bragging rights

You did it! You ran an office-wide campaign, helped lower costs, and reduced your company’s footprint. Can your competitors claim the same?

Interested in hosting your own Smart Office Challenge? Download the toolkit and visit the Living Planet @ Work website for more great resources and ideas on taking environmental action at work.