SHine Greenwatches At Work
16 June, 2008 
SHine South Australia has sown the seeds of change again! Green Watch at Work project commenced on World Environment Day 2008 in SHine's new 4.5 ESD rated building. Not satisfied with their likely ecological footprint and the impact of driving in cars, a lot, for good service provision, SHine has set up a new strategy.
Kaisu Värttö, CEO of SHine, reported to Footprints partners that she felt the kind of leadership to be demonstrated called for a highly focused workshop. This was achieved on 5 June 2008 with Jane Oliver and Lynton Burger working with 16 sustainability-committed personnel.
Some extraordinary efforts will be made in the next few months to see efficiency and energy improvements. Discussion of waste management, recycling, supply chain impacts, possible new "SHine Green products", organic food, green house gases, bicyles, Adelaide public transport and gridlock, and the HOURS spent sitting in traffic queues made for a fascinating day.
Participants gave specific and personal statements of their intentions over the next few weeks. The organisation will survey on all Sustainability matters to determine its Carbon Footprint, and then what it can afford to do about it. Some new initiatives will require partnerships for infrastructure changes, such as Solar Hot Water, worm farms, and a review of the impact of changed working hours. The Union will be carefully consulted along the way as some staff may be looking for more flexible work arrangements.
Footprints partner, Jane Oliver, indicated "SHine is one of those rare, positive and functional NGOs that is ready to take a leadership role in improving its workplace in a GLOBAL context. By this it will be guiding its clients, staff, funders and partners to improve their ecological focus. It was a pleasure and a privilege to work with so much consolidated and optimistic energy in the one organisation. I think this NGO is going to outlast all those who think the business of sustainability is NOT about people. Congratulations to SHine for a great initiative."
For more information about the project in its early stages, visit the SHine Webpage on this site.