The world observes Earth Hour today at 8.30pm. What can businesses do to contribute? Here’s a case study of what one company – SingPost – has been doing to forward this cause.
This is the second year that SingPost is supporting the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Earth Hour as part of its commitment to sustainability.
Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) is the major sponsor of Earth Hour this year, so I was curious to see if it actually walks the talk.
So what is the company doing for this year’s Earth Hour?
First off, it is switching off all non-essential lights from 8.30pm to 9.30pm today at its flagship building, Singapore Post Centre.
Emergency lights that are required for security and safety will remain operational though.
SingPost has also turned up the temperature of its air-conditioning by one degree at selected locations since March 2013.
In addition, SingPost will be manning a booth at The Float @ Marina Bay today from 5pm onwards.
The booth will feature some of its eco-friendly operations and green efforts such as the POPStation, three-wheeler, bicycle etc.
SingPost is also a venue sponsor for WWF Singapore’s Earth Hour roadshow that’s to be held from 31 March to 1 June 2014.
These venues include the Post Offices at Ang Mo Kio Central, Choa Chu Kang Central, International Merchandise Mart, Killiney Road, Orchard, Robinson Road, Singapore Post Centre and Tanglin.
SingPost’s Green Journey
SingPost’s Environment Policy
“We value our environment and commit to protect and improve it to the best of our ability. We are mindful of the environment in the daily operations of our business and that of our partners. We make continued efforts to reduce our environmental impact and consumption of resources.”
The good thing is that SingPost’s sustainability extends beyond the 1-hour period during Earth hour.
The company has actually drawn up an Environment Policy for its operations, to be observed by the staff and management.
Guided by its Environment Policy, SingPost’s Green Journey includes the following.
1. Reducing Environmental Impact in Operations
- Operating with about 295 postmen on bicycle and 145 postmen on foot to provide mail services.
- Investing in three-wheelers and route optimisation to reduce the number of return trips to the base or mail transit rooms.
- vPost’s sea freight option which reduces fuel usage compared to air freight.
- POPStation which reduces delivery points from multiple to one.
2. Towards Paperless Operations
- ezy2ship a 24/7 online self-booking tool for shipments instead of paper booking.
- Couriers using Electronic Proof of Delivery for customers to sign and acknowledge delivery instead of paper.
- Automating paper based internal service requests into a digital system.
3. More Environmental-Friendly Building (Singapore Post Centre)
- Installing energy-efficient cooling units and fine-tuning the overall chiller plant system.
- Installing water-saving devices in all taps and flushing systems.
- Replacing regular lighting with energy efficient light (About 50% of the light bulbs currently used are energy saving).
- Installing light motion detector in washrooms.
- Staggering the shut-down schedule for escalators and lifts.
4. Staff Engagement
- All Post Offices were awarded the Eco-Post Office Label 2013-2015 by the Singapore Environment Council for displaying eco-friendly habits.
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“今天傍晚八点半至九点半是 Earth Hour 2014。大家能以行动支持这项有意义的运动呢？且看一看新加坡邮政公司 SingPost 是怎样以行动让环保意识渗透公司运作与员工。” – 科技点心（微薄）
Engaging staff with quarterly green activities and biannual charitable recycling drives with the Singapore Red Cross Society.
- Recycling paper, plastic wraps and pallets in our offices and operations areas.
Collaboration with Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
In conjunction with Earth Hour, SingPost is also partnering The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at the Singapore Post Centre’s outlet to spread the message of reuse and sustainability using non-disposables.
From 29 March to 31 December 2014, patrons simply bring their own mugs or tumblers to enjoy free beverage upsize and discount.
Tags: CBTL, Coffee Bean, Earth Hour, Marina Bay, Singapore, SingPost, The Float, WWF