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Are any offices green?

When the Swiss Re Tower (aka the gherkin) in London was built it was heralded as an eco-friendly sky scraper that used clever engineering to maximise natural ventilation and sunlight to reduce the energy the building needed. 

Eco-architecture is becoming more and more popular for new buildings, particularly skyscrapers, as a smart design helps reduce running costs for these massive structure. + BBC article on Swiss Re Smaller, older offices aren't so easy. The one I work in now is an old Georgian structure made of brick with huge windows. It can be sweltering on hot days in the summer especially with the computers and lights on. So AC went in, the windows got shut and now we're in winter, but strangely, the AC is still on because the building still retains so much heat from all of the electronic equipment and  lack of decent cross-ventilation. 

And then the windows get opened because it becomes so stifling from the lack of fresh air and we have AC pumping straight out the window...in winter. This is a classic office conundrum. The employees want to be comfortable, old buildings aren't built for comfort, new technology is put in that requires an excess of electricity, but doesn't work and....the windows get open...in winter...while the AC is on... 

Our company also has its employees fly off to see international clients regularly. So, to combat this rating 'F' for the office eco-grading, me and the office manager will be working to change all off these practices and try to turn things around. 

On our list: full recycling, new travel policies, a possible eco-office report by a professional, enforced lights and computers off at end of the day policy, the use of hybrid car companies for taxis and more. Many of our co-workers are calling out for a sustainable office so there should be some good support. Another mission! 

As for our own house, everything is ticking along. We barely use the car anymore, fill up our blue bags for recycling and have the heat on at a minimum (helped by the unusually warm winter) and all equipment goes fully off when not in use, no more standby. 

We're still getting our seasonal veg delivered from a Somerset farm and use many gentle cleaning products at home. We'll see how we go.

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