[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
Patrick you make a great point. I think that there is a bit of a back- and-forth that all of us coworking folks go through to try and do our best while still making a living. IMO, coworking is at its heart a green business model, the hope of which is to be a shared office which requires less resources, shares the resources we do use, and enables local workers to kick their commutes and walk or bike to work instead. At Office Nomads, we try to maintain our "green" aspects in a wide variety of ways. There are no disposable cups or flatware in our space - everyone uses mugs, plates and glasses we got from Goodwill (we have a growing ugly mug collection that makes me very proud...). We have ample bike racks available on our block and have a shower to encourage folks to bike commute (I think we have at least 6 regular bike commuters coming from as close as a half-mile away to as far as 6 miles away), and even got rid of a bunch of garbage cans in the space to have our members remember to use the recycling and composting bins we have around. We're very lucky to be in a city where commercial composting is easy to get - we share our compost bin with a coffee shop around the corner so we can recycle our food, pizza boxes, etc. We don't offer parking spaces - this might be seen as a hit to our business, but we see it as a positive - we are bringing in folks to work here who are from nearby enough that they can walk, bike, or take the bus. Add to that our mostly reused or repurposed furniture (OK yes we did get some desks from IKEA...I'll admit it), low-VOC paint selections and green purchasing habits and I'd say we're doing the best we can in the space we have. To sum: coworking can be a very green option not only in the aspects of the space itself, but how it encourages individuals to work locally and support their local community. OK the point of my response was not going to be yammering on about what WE do that is green. Sorry about that. You know how we space owners can get...So what do we do when we have to travel? Tara's points are fantastic - try to offset if you can or combine trips to that you don't have to make as many. I've heard good things about http://www.terrapass.com/ and http://www.carbonfund.org/. We have not yet looked into buying offsets for our coworking space and the people in it, but have been considering it. Prioritizing travel is also helpful - do you actually have to physically be at a meeting or conference, or can you participate electronically? Many organizations are utilizing virtual meeting software, which can allow you to stay in the comfort of your own coworking space and still participate in meetings. Pretty neat. Additionally, participating in your city or town's public transportation forums can be a great way to support the building of public transportation infrastructure wherever you are. Seattle is in the midst of some huge overhauls when it comes to transportation choices, and we've tried to keep our fingers on the pulse in order to encourage more functional public transportation that helps support the growth of a city the way we want to see it: less highway lanes and more in-city rapid transit options. If you're particularly interested, you can see what's going on here: http://future.soundtransit.org/. OK - green spew complete. S On Nov 16, 11:51 am, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi, > > I know a number of coworking space make quite a bit of effort in being > green, I'm wondering though, at the same time a number of founders and > members are also very nomadic, spending time in a variety of places, > travelling a lot, going to conferences, etc. That polutes A LOT. I > rarely hear talk about trains or offsetting. What are your policies in > that regard? Do you offset everything? Where? And if you have such > personal policies, shouldn't we put more emphasis on those? We > evangelize the freelancing/coworking "lifestyle" quite a bit but I > dont think enough time is spent on thinking and presenting solutions > regarding our environmental impact. > > Patrick > station-c.com --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
Excellent. Cubes&Crayons in Menlo Park is "Green" also. We haven't gotten certified but are looking into it. You can read what we do/have done in being green here: http://cubes.typepad.com/blog/2008/10/coworking-is-green.html All the best. Felicity Space: www.cubesandcrayons.com Blog: cubes.typepad.com/blog On Nov 15, 9:46 am, detodosmoles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi everyone, > > I'm Thoi, part of a Green MBA student team thinking about starting up > a co-working space in the Bay Area that emphasizes *green* aspects. > From following the lively discussions these past few weeks, I see > there's a lot to learn and share about collaborative/community- > oriented workspaces. > > So we'd really like to get your opinions and advice for our budding > venture. Could you please take our short 5-10 min. survey? > > http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1083093 > > Thanks, > Thoi, Hee Jung, Rosemary & Roxanne > Cohort N-ish > Green MBA, Dominican University of California --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
True that my travel is an awful glut on the environment, but I do try to offset with those airlines that allow for it and I support Virgin America, who is working towards bio-fuel airplanes. I've also been turning down more travel these days because Dopplr shows you your carbon footprint and I had a bit of a cry when I saw mine from last year. I, personally, don't own a car. That's an environment decision. I use my feet, public transit, trains and, absolutely only when I have to, Zipcar, a community car-sharing program. When I travel to NYC, I don't ever take a cab - it's inefficient and way less fun than the subway. I will do Super Shuttle or the like to go to the airport because I'm super anxious about missing flights, but, once, again, shared transportation only. Personally, I green my home like we've greened the office, CFLs, keep the heater off (use the windows and blinds), HE (energy efficient) appliances, virtually paper free (about 1/4 through a ream of paper after 2 years), recycle, reuse ziplock baggies, use recycled TP/coffee filters/paper towels, turn lights off when I leave a room, unplug all electronics during the day I'm not using, etc. It results in awesomely low energy bills, too. ;) I also try to eat at home as much as possible, shop at Rainbow, the farmers market and Trader Joes, where I know they have high standards on fair wages and use organically grown and fairly local. The area that I'm really really bad in is my clothing and shoe addiction, but I do make sure that I take anything I don't wear any longer to the Salvation Army or Goodwill and today a group of friends are doing a clothing swap. :) T On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 11:51 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Hi, > > I know a number of coworking space make quite a bit of effort in being > green, I'm wondering though, at the same time a number of founders and > members are also very nomadic, spending time in a variety of places, > travelling a lot, going to conferences, etc. That polutes A LOT. I > rarely hear talk about trains or offsetting. What are your policies in > that regard? Do you offset everything? Where? And if you have such > personal policies, shouldn't we put more emphasis on those? We > evangelize the freelancing/coworking "lifestyle" quite a bit but I > dont think enough time is spent on thinking and presenting solutions > regarding our environmental impact. > > > Patrick > station-c.com > > > -- -- tara 'missrogue' hunt Book: The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business ( http://www.amazon.com/Whuffie-Factor-Capital-Winning-Communities/dp/0307409503?ie=UTF8 ) Company: Citizen Agency (http://www.citizenagency.com) Blog: HorsePigCow: Marketing Uncommon (http://www.horsepigcow.com) Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/missrogue phone: 415-694-1951 fax: 415-727-5335 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
Hi, I know a number of coworking space make quite a bit of effort in being green, I'm wondering though, at the same time a number of founders and members are also very nomadic, spending time in a variety of places, travelling a lot, going to conferences, etc. That polutes A LOT. I rarely hear talk about trains or offsetting. What are your policies in that regard? Do you offset everything? Where? And if you have such personal policies, shouldn't we put more emphasis on those? We evangelize the freelancing/coworking "lifestyle" quite a bit but I dont think enough time is spent on thinking and presenting solutions regarding our environmental impact. Patrick station-c.com --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
I interviewed Chris Messina and Ivan Storck about green coworking at Citizen Space about a year and a half ago, if that's helpful. Audio: http://bigvisionpodcast.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=226758 Transcript: http://havefundogood.blogspot.com/2007/07/green-coworking-interview-with-chris.html Britt __ Britt Bravo Big Vision Consultant Be a powerful force for good www.brittbravo.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] Skype: bebravo Twitter: Bbravo (510) 757-9684 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
Sounds awesome! I'm sure Ivan would love to go over how he helps businesses do the same. :) (I cc'd him here to let him know I roped him into it) T On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 11:51 AM, detodosmoles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > > Wow Tara, one ream of paper in two years?! I'm afraid to think about > how much paper I'm required to use in my corporate job (which is > financing my education). Congrats on your upcoming green cert too. > This past summer our Eco-Commerce Models class helped local Bay Area > businesses green themselves, some on their way to achieving > certification. We'll have to do a field trip to check out Citizen > Space and chat with you and Ivan. > > > -- -- tara 'missrogue' hunt Book: The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business ( http://www.amazon.com/Whuffie-Factor-Capital-Winning-Communities/dp/0307409503?ie=UTF8 ) Company: Citizen Agency (http://www.citizenagency.com) Blog: HorsePigCow: Marketing Uncommon (http://www.horsepigcow.com) Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/missrogue phone: 415-694-1951 fax: 415-727-5335 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
Wow Tara, one ream of paper in two years?! I'm afraid to think about how much paper I'm required to use in my corporate job (which is financing my education). Congrats on your upcoming green cert too. This past summer our Eco-Commerce Models class helped local Bay Area businesses green themselves, some on their way to achieving certification. We'll have to do a field trip to check out Citizen Space and chat with you and Ivan. --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
[Coworking] Re: What do you think about *Green* Co-Working? Please take our Survey :)
Cool! More green! Just in case you didn't know, Citizen Space is green certified (or all it needs it Ivan to complete the process). We have spent a great deal of time making certain that: - It's virtually paper free (chose to not get a fax machine, a photocopier and only have a small printer we co-use that we have gone through one ream of paper in 2 years) - We use recycled, reused, repurposed or low impact materials in everything we do - We have a low flow toilet and encourage ppl to use less hand towels and water in the bathroom - Have the minimum in utilities usage (we have all CFL's, no central heating and installed fans) - And dozens of other things You may also want to talk with Ivan Storck who is a Citizen resident and who has helped us through this process greatly. And we're close by. :) Tara On Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 9:46 AM, detodosmoles <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > > Hi everyone, > > I'm Thoi, part of a Green MBA student team thinking about starting up > a co-working space in the Bay Area that emphasizes *green* aspects. > From following the lively discussions these past few weeks, I see > there's a lot to learn and share about collaborative/community- > oriented workspaces. > > So we'd really like to get your opinions and advice for our budding > venture. Could you please take our short 5-10 min. survey? > > http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1083093 > > > Thanks, > Thoi, Hee Jung, Rosemary & Roxanne > Cohort N-ish > Green MBA, Dominican University of California > > > > -- -- tara 'missrogue' hunt Book: The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business ( http://www.amazon.com/Whuffie-Factor-Capital-Winning-Communities/dp/0307409503?ie=UTF8 ) Company: Citizen Agency (http://www.citizenagency.com) Blog: HorsePigCow: Marketing Uncommon (http://www.horsepigcow.com) Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/missrogue phone: 415-694-1951 fax: 415-727-5335 --~--~-~--~~~---~--~~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coworking" group. To post to this group, send email to coworking@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/coworking?hl=en -~--~~~~--~~--~--~---
