Sunyani: Dr. Williams Ohene-Adjei, a climate change expert, has advocated investment in re-usable office supplies to improve the nation's plastic waste management. He stated that an aggressive push for the use of re-usable supplies in workplaces would also contribute to efforts towards mitigating climate change impacts and positioning the nation to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 7).
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Ohene-Adjei emphasized that the UN global goals seven require countries to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. He suggested replacing single-use items like plastic utensils, disposable coffee cups, and plastic bottles in offices with reusable alternatives. Dr. Ohene-Adjei further encouraged employees to bring their own reusable water bottles, coffee mugs, and lunch containers to help reduce plastic waste.
In an interview with Ghana News Agency in Sunyani, Dr. Ohene-Adjei highlighted the importance of using refillable pens, markers, and rechargeable batteries in public offices. He also suggested setting up recycling and composting stations in break rooms and common spaces to manage waste that cannot be reused. Composting, he explained, could divert organic waste from landfills and reduce methane emissions.
Dr. Ohene-Adjei noted that the increasing depletion of natural resources due to civilization and advancement has made environmental sustainability a significant challenge. He advocated for improved green management practices, including the use of solar energy panels, efficient light bulbs, tree planting, and transitioning to paperless operations.
He stressed the need for structural and strategic changes to transition to a paperless system, which could significantly reduce environmental impact. Implementing electronic document management systems, such as cloud-based storage, electronic signature platforms, and collaborative tools like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, can streamline document storage, sharing, and signing processes.
Dr. Ohene-Adjei concluded by noting that both digital visitor management systems and electronic document management not only reduce paper waste but also enhance security and efficiency. He stated that such systems allow for easy tracking and management of visitors, automation of notifications, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
