Green Q & A

Welcome

Please submit your questions below or email them directly to GreenDee. Thank you.

A. A green agency in the health context – is an agency that is committed to consistent health care practices that will protect not harm the environment. This can be demonstrated in many different ways.  A Green Health Staffing agency  must train it’ s staff in green health practices.

2. What does your agency staff do differently in a health care facility.

A.  Sometimes : Nothing.  Although our agency is green-oriented, we do not in anyway impose our beliefs on our clients.  W e have made the committment to make our agency eco-friendly but there is NO requirement on or facility clients to do the same.    Our staff’s role is to SUPPORT.

3. Do you work with facilities that are not eco-friendly?

A. Yes we do.  Most of our clients do not have a green policy in place but that does not mean that they are not eco-friendly .  We are NOT judgemental.  If we  refuse to work with facilities that do not have green policies in place, we would miss out on great opportunities to demonstrate (if requested) ways in which our staff can make a difference.

4. What is a green policy and do you have one?

A.  Yes we have a green policy. A green policy is simply a formal document laying out the activities that an organization is willing to undertake to do their part in helping the environment.  These activities  can be as small  as turning off the light each time you noticed that it s not in use. These small actions translate into a BIG difference to the environment.  Please click here to view dths’ green policy.

5. What is green washing?

A.  This term is used to describe firms that offer their products as being eco-friendly but upon further scrutiny it is discovered that these claims are bogus.  This term does not only apply to products but services as well.   With services – a company is at the mercy of its employees; meaning the best trained green employee can engage in conduct that would make David Suzuki” swear ” bloody murder!  The bottomline is green washing really defines a company that sets out to deceive its customers with disingenuous green claims.

6.How can I start a green committee at my workplace? (I do not work in  a healthcare setting)
A. To start a green committe is really contingent on your management and your fellow co-workers.  Take  a look at our green policy to get some ideas.  You can also join governmental or non-profit organizations in your locale.   If your are in the Durham Region – EcoBusiness is the way to go.  Your committee will stand a good chance of succeeding if you follow the pointers below:

• First identify staff members who are interested to form such a committee.
• Identify  areas of waste and inefficiency
• Assign a role or area for each member to be responsible for
• Be as non-judgemental as you possibly can
• Offer incentives to co-workers to get them interested in going green
• Create interesting awareness campaigns in a greenway
• Add  ONE green topic on the agenda for each team / staff meeting
• Don’t overwhelm – educate without smothering
• Show your employer hard numbers in savings
• Have Fun- and please drop us a line to let us know how it is going – you could be featured on our site.

7. What is green really – is this a fad?

A.  Green is realy a lifestyle choice and we pretty sure it will not become a fad. I know the phrase is every where and it seems that everyone is just getting into it that is why it appears as the newest fad.  The fact that so many companies are paying attention to green activities is very promising for the environment.  It also shows that the educational efforts of the various governmental and non-governmental bodies are paying off.  Fortunately, most firms do have a genuine interest in engaging in activities both in their personal and professional lives that is not harmful to the environment.