B.Y.T.E. is one more office in the global arena that is aware of the need to change our existing ways in order to lessen our impact on the earth. The facts and figures have indisputably proven that if things are not altered today we will not have a healthy tomorrow. We want to do our part in taking responsibility for our actions on the earth, and hopefully this will encourage others locally to do the same. Converting our space into a more ecologically conscious office will have positive ecological effects not only for the duration of this project, but for as long as B.Y.T.E. exists. If you would like a copy of our Green Event Checklist you can download it. If you would like a copy of our Green Office Policy and Procedure Manual please email your request to bytenowATyukonyouthDOTcom.

The B.Y.T.E. office is striving for:

1. An Office Energy strategy:

• Install solar panels
• Implement energy saving initiatives – turn off computers, lights, large appliances such as the microwave and photocopiers when not in use
• Redesign the office to increase: natural light, greenery in front of the building.

2. An Office Waste policy:

• Have waste audit prior to project start, and after the initial implementation is complete
• Have a vermicompost
• Buy 100% post consumer waste, chlorine free recycled paper, reuse paper, reduce paper, print on both sides, and then recycle
• Ensure that all cleaning supplies are biodegradable and eco-friendly
• Avoid plastic

3. A Transportation Policy:

• Collaborate with other agencies and create a car-share program
• Encourage staff to carpool, bike or walk to work
• Build showers for cyclists, and a secure bike lockup
• Allow active transportation to get to/from meetings during the day
• Purchase company bikes for running errands
• Have a no idling policy in front of building and/or by employees/volunteers out and about on BYTE business

4. A Purchasing Policy:

• Buy products with minimal packaging
• Buy 100% post consumer waste, chlorine free recycled paper, reuse paper, reduce paper, print on both sides, and then recycle
• When possible - Buy locally, and shop at local businesses
• Ensure that all cleaning supplies are biodegradable and eco-friendly
• Buy products with minimal packaging
• Avoid plastic

5. An Event Policy:

• Develop a green events protocol, to ensure that all of the events that BYTE holds follow green practices

6. An Education & Awareness Component:

• Educate others entering the office by putting up facts and reasoning sheets beside all of the changes in the office
• Display waste and energy audits done before and after the implementation to demonstrate the progress.
• Hold youth steering committee meetings to engage and educate them in the transformation process.

Achievements so far…

• Office, transport, purchasing policies and events protocol guidelines are in place and being followed.
  
• Publication in: Walk Softly newsletter, Summer edition, What’s up Yukon, (Janelle Hardy)
• BYTE representation at City of Whitehorse Sustainability Charrette, Solar Building Conference in Calgary, Whitehorse Earth day Festival, Yukon Government Climate Change Workshop
• Yukon Youth Conservation Corp. (Y2C2) involved
• 5 Youth Steering Committee meetings
• Office energy audit is complete
• Cleaning supplies are eco-friendly
• Alternative transportation is in use throughout the day
  
• Staff are also encouraged to use environmentally friendly modes of transportation to get to and from work
• Environmental facts and figures are displayed throughout the office to educate everyone who comes in.
• BYTE’s Policies have been distributed at the Tourism Industry Association conference, & Canadian Youth Climate Coalition conference.
• BYTE’s Green Event’s Protocol has been successfully implemented at the last 2 BYTE Youth Conferences, as well as the Department of Environment’s conference on Climate Change.

bytes-green-events-protocol.doc
bytes-green-your-space-workplace-policy.doc
bytes-green-your-space-employee-manual.doc