How Do We Reduce Our Own Footprints?

Hi all – I had an idea and I’m looking for feedback.

Since it is a new fiscal year and we are all committed to keeping to budget and reducing our environmental footprint, I propose that we develop a “footprint budget”.

Expenses for utilities, supplies – paper especially – printer toner, printer rolls etc. could have budget targets for the year. We can take our 2009 budget for these categories and set a reduction goal, which can be measured through monitoring costs savings for different categories. This would be an effective way for everyone to be aware of what they use and save money at the same time.

One example that we have started at West Vancouver, is cutting down paper usage by emailing product information to customers instead of printing it off at the point of sale. We have had success doing this already. This one small change in behavior saves paper, puts the customer onto our email list, allows the customer to save the information on his/her computer, and allows us to begin a dialog about the ways people can begin to save resources in the spirit which fair trade promotes.

We could start this officially April 1st to begin with our Reason 3 – Fair trade protects the environment. I am working on a plan and guide and would be happy to share ideas with anyone who is interested. Let’s do more than more than throw our cardboard into the recycling bin and change a few light bulbs.

Let’s really challenge ourselves to go beyond just talking and start doing.