A TEAM of 'Green Wardens' is now on duty at the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office to help promote recycling and encourage staff to adopt environmentally friendly measures.

A 21-strong volunteer task force drawn from staff is now on patrol at the Admiralty Way site in Taunton helping to reduce UKHO's carbon footprint.

They will be proactive in the office by encouraging staff to take on board some easy measures to help the organisation meet its sustainability objectives.

The wardens' role will include:

  • Checking all lights and IT equipment (excluding essential equipment) are switched off at the end of the day
  • Making sure recycling areas are being used properly
  • Ensure taps are not left running
  • Checking air conditioning and cooling systems are used responsibly
  • Ensure doors and windows kept closed
  • Encouraging staff to reduce the amount of consumables used by promoting duplex (double-sided) printing and re-using single sided printed paper
  • Encouraging the use of telephone and video conferencing where possible to cut down on travel expenses.

UKHO's head of transformation, change and HR, Richard Brooks, said: "We are really pleased with the take up for this scheme and are sure that the enthusiasm and calibre of the team will help us meet our green targets.

"However, the key message is that all staff have a part to play in making the UKHO a sustainable environment."

The Green Wardens scheme has been introduced by UKHO to help meet the challenging sustainability targets that have been set by the MoD.

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