5.2-3 Resource Conservation Techniques

 

INFORMATION SHEET 5.2-3

Resource Conservation Techniques

Introduction

Natural Resources are fundamental for human development and survival. Humans, even animals, are dependent on the goods and services provided to us by the ecosystem – from the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the clothes we wear.

But with the unrelenting growth of the world’s population and our inefficient ways of using our resources, we are now facing a crisis that will affect not only us but also the generations to come.

In this lesson, we will discuss the different resource conservation techniques you can practice in your workplace.

Energy Conservation Techniques

A workplace commonly operates for around 8 -10 hours a day, but not for the service dominated industries such as call centers, hotels, retail and food services which operates on a 24/7 shift schedule. Think about how costly it is to keep all your lights and air-conditioning unit running for a week!

That is why more and more businesses now practice energy conservation techniques to not only cut cost but also to help lessen greenhouse emissions.

Here are some of the energy conservation techniques you can practice in your workplace.

 

 

Water Conservation Techniques

Water is essential to all living creatures – human, animal and plants. Former World Bank Vice President Ismail Serageldin once said that the wars of the next century would be fought over water and not oil (Serageldin, 2009)¹. Despite of this, however, water is often taken for granted resulting in waste water and pollution of bodies of water.

Did you know that less than 1% of the world’s water is suitable for drinking? Droughts due to higher temperature and unpredictable weather conditions worsen the availability in different areas in South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Water scarcity affects 4 out of every 10 people globally. 

Water shortage does not only affect our domestic activities and needs, but it also threatens food and energy production. That is why it is important for us to protect and conserve water.

Here are some of the water conservation tips you can easily apply in your workplace:

 

 

Fuel Conservation Techniques

The burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal, is one of the main contributants of greenhouse gases, increasing the average temperature of earth’s atmosphere or what we call global warming.

Fossil fuels are commonly used for producing the electricity we use in our workplace. Patronizing and using electricity generated from renewable natural resources such as sun and wind will surely help your workplace cut fuel consumption.

Another way to help fight global warming is to drive efficiently to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by practicing what we call Eco-driving.

Eco-driving is a modern and efficient way of driving that emphasizes on three major objectives:

1. Fuel efficiency
2. Speed
3. Safety

Here are the golden rules of eco-driving according to Ecodrive.org:

1. Anticipate Traffic Flow

Monitor the road as you drive to anticipate the flow of traffic. Make use of the vehicle’s momentum and accelerate and brake smoothly.

2. Maintain a steady speed at low RPM

Drive smoothly and avoid driving at excessive speeds. Keep a steady speed to avoid unnecessary braking.

3. Shift up early

4. Check tire pressures frequently.

Inflated tires increase the car’s fuel consumption. Make sure to always check the tire pressures before driving off.

5. Avoid dead weight and aerodynamic drag

Unload heavy items and unnecessary equipments from the vehicle.

6. Share your car (i.e. carpooling)

Add another passenger to cut emissions per person by 50 %.

7. Use the Air-conditioning sparingly

Car air-condition, like any other air-conditioning units, emits Carbon dioxide (CO2). Use the air-conditioning sparingly to reduce your carbon emission.

Supplies, Materials and Equipment Conservation Techniques

Every workplace produces waste – paper waste in offices, food waste in restaurants and hazardous wastes in hospitals. Somehow, the idea that the company shoulders the bill for all the supplies and materials has the tendency to make employees a lot more wasteful than they really are. That is why proper management and control of supplies and materials is crucial not only for reducing costs but also in minimizing waste.

Here are some tips on how to save office supplies and materials: