synergy vol 1 issue 2
BP Amoco's...
Environmental
Improvement Program
Auditing our waste stream from a typical
BP Amoco floor
The BP Amoco Group worldwide is committed to the simple but important goal of no damage to the environment. And BP Amoco Australia's office Environmental Improvement Programme (EIP) is a very practical example of this commitment.
Launched in mid-1998, the programme aims to:
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Reduce waste, increase energy efficiency and raise environmental awareness within BP Australia's Melbourne head office and motivate staff.
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Improve the office's environmental performance over the next two years by reducing energy use by 13 per cent, waste to landfill by 93 per cent and paper use by 18 per cent
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Be a role model for other companies and BP Amoco locations.
The Melbourne office houses about 1000 BP Amoco people over twelve floors.
Program delivery?
Before the EIP was launched, staff were consulted to raise awareness and capture ideas about reducing waste. These ideas were collated and an eco-committee of 13 people was formed to decide how they could best be implemented.
The committee members audited BP's Amoco waste stream and reviewed how well BP Amoco was using the energy and waste systems already in place. Recommendations for improvement were based on this research. The program includes end-of-year progress reviews to determine action for the following year and ensure continuous improvement.
This, in addition to regular staff awareness sessions, will ensure the programme's success and longevity.
What actions have been taken?
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A staff education programme has been developed, including a practical, 16-week activity.
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An Office Environmental Commitment was signed off by BP Amoco Australia's Managing Director and published throughout the office.
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Glasses and teaspoons were distributed to all staff to replace plastic cups and wooden stirrers.
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Recycling systems have been put in place for paper, compost and cans/bottles/plastic.
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Printer toners are recycled, some of which are transformed into furniture.
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A redistribution room established, enabling unwanted goods such as stationery to be made available for another person's use.
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A resource library have been established.
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An energy program has been put in place to reduce energy consumption.
In a landmark speech in 1997 on greenhouse gases, BP Amoco's CEO, Sir John Browne said:
"The time to act is not when the link between greenhouse gases and climate change is proven conclusively but when the possibility cannot be discounted. We need to take precautionary action now."
The EIP is one of the many ways in which BP Amoco is working towards Sir John's vision for a sustainable future.
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Editors Note BP Amoco currently recycles all its organic waste to a compost plant in Brooklyn. Because the waste contractor has to make a special city trip to pick up the waste this commitment is actually more costly than disposal to landfill. The messages in this story?
Would you like to know more about how BP Amoco's office staff manged to make real changes to their practices? Susan St Lawrence and Kathleen Esdaile produced an Audit Report detailing the Triple Bottom Line Performance on the Environmental Improvement programme. If your organisation is serious about tackling reduction and recycling issues this project is a great place to start. Susan and Kathleen also produced an oustanding training manual for BP Amoco staff coveriing all aspects of their project. If you don't want to re-invent the wheel this document is a must. For further information contact Susan St Lawrence |
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