Biophilia Project
February 18, 2019
In your own words, tell us about your project.
Our project is called Biophilia - The Biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems. By encouraging our connection with nature, we aim to create the conditions by which our Community cares for the environment, while also reaping the positive effects of wellbeing by connecting with nature.
Our first step was to create a green environment around our office. For this, the CSR team came in on sunny Saturday morning and re-potted over 50 plants into new colourful new pots and placed them around the office space. Our next step was to improve our waste management policy by offering a compost bin, along with glass, recycling, and general waste bins.
Single-use plastic is an issue of concern to our project. To address this, everyone in the office received a reusable cup. We also replaced the plastic cups in the water coolers for compostable cups.
Our first step was to create a green environment around our office. For this, the CSR team came in on sunny Saturday morning and re-potted over 50 plants into new colourful new pots and placed them around the office space. Our next step was to improve our waste management policy by offering a compost bin, along with glass, recycling, and general waste bins.
Single-use plastic is an issue of concern to our project. To address this, everyone in the office received a reusable cup. We also replaced the plastic cups in the water coolers for compostable cups.
Why did you do this work?
We’re doing this work as part of our commitment to our CSR Programme. The Environment is one of the pillars in our CSR Programme, along with our Employees and Community pillars. Our Biophilia project allows us to connect our three pillars as it creates a community that cares for the environment, while also placing strong emphasis on our wellbeing. Waste and in particular single-use plastics are at the top of our agenda since data was released last year showing Ireland as Europe’s biggest polluter, producing 61kg of plastic waste per person each year (well above the average of 31kg for the rest of Europe).
What was the impact or outcome of your project?
One of the impacts of our project was to get everyone at work to notice the greenery around their desks and the positive effects this can on our working space. A number of them took ownership of the plant next to them and have been watering and caring for it since the summer of 2018.
Our waste management policy had also a positive effect on our community, in particular the introduction of our compost bin. We noticed that our people not only were using the compost bin correctly, but also told us how easy it was to compost and thus do more for the environment.
Introducing measures to reduce single-use plastics in our office is encouraging many of us to use reusable cups (e.g. keep-cups).
Our waste management policy had also a positive effect on our community, in particular the introduction of our compost bin. We noticed that our people not only were using the compost bin correctly, but also told us how easy it was to compost and thus do more for the environment.
Introducing measures to reduce single-use plastics in our office is encouraging many of us to use reusable cups (e.g. keep-cups).
Do you have any tips or advice for similar projects?
Our project is still in its infancy so we’re learning along the way. However, some important advice that we could impart is to always furnish people with as much information as you can for any sort of action you’d like to implement. Always provide reasons for doing so because at the end of the day, we all have free will and people will act according to what resonates with them.
Which Sustainable Development Goals does your work link to?
Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Goal 12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
Location of Project
Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland, 75 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Contact Person
Carolina Angarita-Cala
Email Address
Contact Number
016333809
