In the Book of Joshua, a thread was dangled from the walls of Jericho to mark the home of Rachav and save her family when the city was destroyed. The thread is a symbol of hope and redemption and remains relevant to today's environmental challenges.
"Behold, when we come into the land, you shall tie this scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and you shall gather into your house your father and mother, your brothers, and all your father's household." (Joshua 2:18)
UJIA's Green Thread includes taking steps to reduce the environmental footprint of our new home, from reusing and recycling office waste to being more energy-efficient.
We are already reaping the rewards of our Green Thread: UJIA's energy costs have been slashed by 65 per cent compared to our old office at Balfour House. As well as reducing our carbon emissions, saving energy means that UJIA is now more cost-efficient - so your contributions to us go even further.
Some of UJIA's key green initiatives are listed below:
Saving energy
• Low energy lighting
• Low energy appliances including hand driers and photocopiers
• Forty per cent fewer printers and fax machines to save power and paper
• Building system equipped with heat recovery pump to reduce air conditioning and heating; fresh air ventilation to enclosed spaces.
Reducing waste
• Office waste recycling including paper, bottles and printer cartridges
• 'Going Digital' Campaign to encourage our donors and partners to communicate with us by email
• Bottled water replaced by filtered tap water
• Branded pens made from recycled plastic
• Re-use of carpet tiles; re-used pedestal units obtained from a downsizing bank.
Green travel
• Location chosen for excellent public transport links
• Cycle-to-work scheme and secure cycle parking
• Limited guest parking
• Season ticket loans.
Sustainable purchasing
• Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar in kitchens
• New crockery and cutlery to avoid using plastic disposables
• All outsourced printing on sustainable paper using environmentally-friendly processes
• Furniture from suppliers certified for environmental responsibility
• Office furnished with fittings that can be moved at end of lease, rather than new construction
• Cut flowers at annual dinner replaced with informative table display.
Want to find out more?
Read more about what the Jewish community is doing about environmental issues at the Big Green Jewish Website.
UJIA Green Thread: A Case Study.
