So many disposable items, including paper cups and half-used sheets of paper are dumped into the trash bin at offices around the country every day. If you pay just a little attention, you can contribute to the global trend of environmental protection and energy saving.

Here are some good examples. The National Information Society Agency (NIA), a wing of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, has two main offices - one in Mugyo-dong, central Seoul, and the other in Deung-chon Dong, western Seoul.

Ranking officials of the two offices don't bother to meet face to face for discussion, but often have teleconferences instead. This scene is not very common in Korea yet, but the number of teleconferences is increasing with the passage of time.

In July, NIA replaced the traditional ranking officials' meetings, discussion with employees in foreign offices and general vocational training in groups all with teleconferencing, which was meant to save time and decrease the use of vehicles. The efforts have saved the agency 37 million won since July.

NIA officials say that teleconferencing not only contributes to government-driven green growth policies but also helps workers enhance work efficiency.

Not only that. The NIA office room temperature always stays at 27 degrees Celsius during summer, one degree warmer than the government recommended temperature. Employees are instead given a mini fan, which is good enough to cool them down at their desk. Electricity consumption to run air conditioners has decreased markedly, NIA said.

The NIA also introduced a flexible work schedule. People can come to work earlier or later to avoid rush hour. They are also highly encouraged to use e-documents instead of reams of printer paper. The NIA is also downsizing its Internet server to reduce power wastage.
"Using both sides of a piece of paper or printing more than 1 document page per sheet could be of help, but plans to completely stop using paper are necessary," the NIA official said. Research reports can be submitted and stored on CDs or web files, instead of hard copies, added the official.

The fluorescent ceiling light fittings in the NIA office have three tubes plugged in, but only one or two tubes have been switched on since July. Also, all lights in the NIA offices are automatically turned off during lunch time. With these efforts, a total of 16 million won of budgeted money was saved last summer, NIA said.

All this was possible thanks to people's active participation at their workplaces. “We at the NIA have expertise in national digitalization and e-government construction. It's natural that we would lead the efforts and policies to turn offices in the country green,” NIA President Kim Seang-tae said. Also, a special “green office” task force is monitoring monthly achievements in energy-saving and studying relevant foreign examples as well, Kim added.

* Adapted from Weekly Gonggam Magazine

By James Ro
Korea.net Staff Writer