GreenDependent Egyesület

The mission of GreenDependent Association is to “research, develop and disseminate sustainable lifestyles and consumption patterns”, therefore we also place special emphasis on „greening” our private and office lives. We aim at putting sustainable and climate-friendly principles into our everyday practice.

Our office is a good example of how theory can be turned into practice. In the office we collect experience in several fields such as observing the positive impact of regularly maintaining our equipment, optimising the operation of electrical devices, using environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies, drinking fair trade and organic coffee and tea. Furthermore, we are always excited to test the new acquisitions of our energy efficient and environmentally-friendly product exhibition.

We also aim at giving an example of operating a green office to those offices involved in our projects and intending to become „greener”, i.e. offices participating in the Save@Work project.

We set up our office in downtown Gödöllő, a small town in Hungary of 35 thousand inhabitants. It is located in an apartment with two rooms on the second floor of a brick-based apartment building. Four full-time and one part-time employees work in the office, and occasionally we share the office space and facilitites with some other people, contracted or volunteer collegaues or friends.

Everyday work is facilitated with the following tools and equipment: 1 multifunctional printer, super-speed internet, landline and mobile phones, 1 PC, 5 laptops, projector, fan, radio, fridge, electric kettle and a toaster.

1. Operation of the green office
2. Observing the principles of equal opportunities
3. Sustainable transport
4. Green and Sustainable events and programmes

1. Operation of the green office

a) Office equipment and appliances

• New machines, products and appliances are only purchased when we absolutely need them.
• The office is equipped with environmentally friendly, and if available, eco-labelled phones, laptops and monitors. The eco-label certificate guarantees that these products comply with environmental regulations and specification.
• We check the energy label when we select a new product, and we aim at purchasing those with at least category ”A".
• We use energy saving setting on machines. While being away for a longer period or after office hours, electric devices are disconnected.

• Most of the stationery and stamps we buy have been produced using environmentally friendly technology. For instance, our glue is free of chemical solvents, our pens are refillable and are made from recycled materials, our calculator is powered with water, and even our puncher is made from biodegradable and recycled plastic.

• We do not buy disposable products, unless this is the only alternative available on the market.
• We only use eco-labelled printing paper and envelopes, also ensuring that the raw material originates from sustainable forestry

• We use furniture, which we got hold of at the garage sale regularly organised locally by the REGINA Foundation or from friends and relatives. The profit from the garage sale is used for charity by the REGINA Foundation. Furniture from friends and relatives are also reused in our office.
• Most of the plants in the office are proved to clean air from different pollutants (formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, ammonia, etc.) generated when office machines and appliances are in use, or they are evaporated from glue-down floor, varnished furniture and painted walls.

​b) Energy consumption: heating, lighting, and equipment

• We combine fossil fuel heating (natural gas) with renewable sources. During winter, we pre-heat the office with wood burnt in the tile stove. After the heating season, we use the stove as a ’plant stand’.
• We only heat those rooms that are in use.
• During the night and weekends, we reduce the temperature in the office.
• We never overheat the office, but dress warmly and use special foot-warmers.
• We improve the insulation of the office room by using window-cushions, thick curtains and carpets.
• We ensure humidity through direct evaporation and using green plants; and thus we feel comfortable at a lower temperature.
• By the aid of a simple temperature and humidity sensor we monitor the temperature and humidity of the office, and keep them within the optimal range.

• If we need a new light bulb, we will always buy an energy efficient one.
• We employ task lighting, and save energy by reducing ambient light use that requires more energy.
• We only use the lights that we absolutely need.
• Electronic equipment and products consume a significant share of their energy need when in stand-by mode. To reduce this consumption, we always disconnect them after office hours using switch sockets and intelligent plugs, so-called standby killers.

• All office equipment and household appliances are used in energy efficient mode; their settings are optimised by the aid of an energy meter.
• All office equipment and other electronic products are maintained regularly in order to ensure the highest level of performance and consequently to decrease the rate of deterioration of energy efficiency.
• We keep track of all utility consumption, and we calculate the carbon footprint of our office, also taking into account office-related travels.
• Instead of using air-conditioning, the office is aerated frequently, shaded by a curtain, or a fan is used for extremely hot days.

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c) Cleaning

• ​We use environmentally friendly cleaning products (e.g. vinegar, citric acid, Frosh, Alverde, Ecover, etc. products), because these are neither hazardous to health, nor pollute our waters and the wildlife when they are released into nature.
• Essential oils are used to refresh and disinfect indoor air.
• We use water sparingly (e.g. we always collect dirty dishes, and do not wash them in running water).
• By using a one-basin sink combined with a rinsing bowl, we can avoid the use of running water.
• We use eco-friendly dishwashing liquid and dishwashing sponge made from recycled material.
• Water after dish washing is reused for cleaning the floor or flushing the toilet.
• In our office even the paper tissue and toilet paper are FSC or PEFC, as well as Blue Angel certified.

d) Food and drink

• ​We give priority to local, seasonal and Hungarian food products, thus reducing the greenhouse gas emissions related to transporting these products. Besides, this also supports the local economy.
• We purchase fair-trade and organic tea and coffee, because we want our money to directly reach local producers of distant countries in the scope of fair market conditions.
• We add organic and fair-trade sugar, milk and lemon juice to our drinks, and offer these to our visitors and guests. We buy local and organic cookies and cakes, to avoid artificial additives as well as to support the local economy.
• We aim at reducing our meat consumption, some of our colleagues are vegetarians.
• At our events we always offer vegetarian and vegan food options, often all the food served is vegetarian.

e) Reducing and managing our waste

• We collect waste selectively, following the rules of the local collection system.
• We collect organic waste separately, which then enriches the compost of the Vadovics family (our colleagues).
• We collect papers that have been used on one side only, and when possible use them internally or for note taking.
• When we order food, we prefer those restaurants that allow the use of dinner-cans. Mostly, we bring lunch on foot or by bike.
• We keep track of the amount of waste generated in the office.

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f) Producing reports and other publications

• We apply paper-saving principles when designing, editing and formatting. 
• We prepare publications in printing offices that have environmental certifications (EMAS, ISO 14001).
• We print on environmentally friendly paper using eco-friendly ink.

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g) We are setting up a professional library, where we will make available foreign (English language) and Hungarian publications related to environmental protection and sustainability.

h) We produce a monthly electronic newsletter (in Hungarian) , which aims at providing inspiration, theoretical and practical help, information, good practice examples for “small-footprint” living, that is for developing a sustainable lifestyle that is environmentally, socially and economically responsible. All previous issues are available online at the Small-Footprint (in HU: Kislábnyom) website (in Hungarian).