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TLE-AFA Agri-Crop Production

Quarter 4– Module 6:
Workplace Environmental Practices

NegOr_Q4_AgriCropProd10_Module6_v2
TLE – Grade 10
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4– Module 6: Workplace Environmental Practices
Second Edition, 2021

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represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Aiza M. Abingayan
Editors: Eva May L. Baguio, April Marie G. Zerna
Reviewer: Jonathan L. Bayaton
Tyepsetter: Eva May L. Baguio
Management Team: Senen Priscillo P. Paulin, CESO V Rosela R. Abiera
Joelyza M. Arcilla EdD Maricel S. Rasid
Marcelo K. Palispis EdD Elmar L. Cabrera
Nilita R. Ragay EdD
Antonio B. Baguio EdD

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education –Region VII Schools Division of Negros Oriental

Office Address: Kagawasan, Ave., Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Tele #: (035) 225 2376 / 541 1117
E-mail Address: negros.oriental@deped.gov.ph
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear
learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home.
Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are
carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide
you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson
prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons
in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing
this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s
assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of
each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your
learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We
trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher
are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and
reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based
learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks
on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering
the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before
performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in
answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your
teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Agricultural Crop Production. The scope of this module
permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used
recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you
read them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

What I Know

Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise FALSE

if it is wrong.

_______1. Plan ahead and prepare. Leave as much garbage and food packaging
as possible at home.

_______2. Dispose of waste properly. It is illegal to leave garbage in the

wilderness!

_______3. Natural lighting, clean air, green spaces, and an adjustable

temperature can all help motivate employees.

_______4. Working in a space where they can directly influence their

working environment is beneficial to all.

_______5. “Green Environment” relates to the concerns for

environmental conservation and improved health of the environment.

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Lesson
Workplace Environmental
1 Practices

Today, there are many ways to live a more sustainable, eco-conscious life. But
what about your time spent at work? Regardless if you work from a home
office, satellite office, or a traditional office setting you will find that you spend
the majority of your day there. Within the workplace, there are numerous
ways you can implement sustainable practices into your organization’s
business and work life all while saving money and having a positive economic
impact. It turns out, most sustainable business practices will save your
company money and they can be easy and fun to do.
“A sustainable workforce is one where the work environment is caring and
supports employee wellbeing. ... “When human resources are used in a
sustainable way, employees are not only able to perform in-role or requisite
job demands, but also to flourish, be creative, and innovate.
Becoming more sustainable and making your workplace eco-friendlier doesn’t
mean you have to go completely off the grid, or sell your car. There are so
many easy adjustments and small changes that can make a huge difference!
Simply being more aware and conscious of your actions in the workplace is a
great place to start.

What’s In

Directions: Answer the following guide questions in your activity notebook.

1. What are good environmental practices?

2. What are some environmentally sustainable work practices?

3. What is a sustainable work environment?

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 What’s New

Direction: Write at least five (5) workplace environmental practices that you
know. Write it in your activity notebook.

1. ____________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________________

What Is It

Good Environmental Practices are defined as those actions that seek to reduce
the negative environmental impact caused by activities and processes through
changes and improvements in the organization and development of actions.

More and more companies across business industries are committing to

reducing their impact on the environment.

These are just a few newsworthy examples of organizations that are taking
the initiative in creating more environmentally conscious workplaces and
company culture through eco-friendly policies.

From a business standpoint, consumers are more inclined to buy products

from, invest in services from, and lend their support to companies with a
proven record of social responsibility regarding reducing their environmental
impact. Research has shown that 80 percent of consumers are more inclined
to support companies and brands with a history of sustainability.

Developing an eco-conscious organization begins on the ground level with

your workforce, as it is crucial for your people to believe in your vision and
practice environmentally friendly habits in the office for your mission of
sustainability to signal out accordingly.

There are various accessible and cost-effective measures your company can
take to reduce your carbon footprint and affect your environmental impact.
Here are ten examples of sustainable initiatives you can implement to

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encourage an environmentally conscious workplace for your employees, not
just on Earth Day, but every day.

Implement a recycling program

One standard way of supporting mindfulness around sustainability is to

establish a recycling program within your office. From the kitchen area to
your workspaces, provide education on responsible waste disposal through
clear signage on designated waste stations to help your people distinguish
between what items belong in recycling, compost, and in the trash bin. You
can also investigate the safe removal and donation of old computer parts and
other items unnecessarily taking up space in your workplace to a local
organization supporting the ethical recycling of electronics.

Conserve energy within the office

Turning off the lights and switching off electronic equipment around the office
during off-hours will help to conserve energy resources as well as save your
company a significant amount on your electric bill. Ensure that your
workplace has communicated your policy around reducing energy
consumption at their desks and around the office and provide suggestions
such as shutting off their computers at the end of the workday and keeping
the lights off when a meeting room is not in use.

Promote a paperless office

Digital and cloud computing solutions have enabled companies to become

more collaborative, streamlined, efficient, and yes, green too. From using
desktop applications such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive for
coordinating work projects to investing in digital HR and payroll software to
handle workforce management, paper and ink are swapped out for an eco-
conservative alternative.

Support green vendors

Choose to do business with green-friendly brands and companies to create a

more environmentally conscious workplace. Conduct research into vendors of
interest to learn more about their sustainability efforts and see if they align
with your company’s own vision and values regarding environmental impact.
At Rise, we are proud to be partnered with Thirst First, a locally based organic
and fair-trade coffee provider.

Reduce by reusing

Annually, Canadians use approximately 1.6 to 2 billion disposable coffee

cups. Discourage this wasteful habit from your employees by encouraging the
use of reusable coffee mugs, along with reusable water bottles. You can
promote this initiative in office by offering company merchandise items such
as travel mugs and stainless-steel water bottles, and also by incentivizing the

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program by doing a monthly gift card draw for team members who use their
reusable mugs for an entire week.

Invest in office plants

Placing plants around the office can help to beautify your workspaces, uplift
the overall atmosphere of your workplace, and reduce stress and anxiety for
your workforce. Indoor greenery can boost oxygen levels and remove harmful
pollutants such as carbon dioxide and formaldehyde. In fact, NASA research
reveals that indoor plants reduce 87% of indoor air pollutants within 24
hours. If you’re convinced of the health benefits of office greenery, this
infographic can help you select the ideal plant for your office environment.

Conserve human energy

This may not be an idea that readily comes to mind when considering
environmental practices, but the wellbeing of your people is crucial to the
healthy habits of your organization. Mindfulness is just as important.
Consider that sustaining healthy and energetic employees will be beneficial to
your company’s overall productivity. Help to keep your team happy and
energized by establishing a safe, non-toxic environment always. It can start
by providing sustainable and nutritious options, such as organic fruits and
vegetables.

Encourage sustainable transportation

Support your team members in taking alternative modes of transportation to

and from the office—such as walking or carpooling with fellow colleagues—
during the work week. Your company can offer transit subsidies to employees
who commute to work as a benefit. Additionally, if it is not mandatory for your
people to be in the office from Monday to Friday, consider cutting out their
commute time during the week by allowing employees to do remote work from
home on occasion.

Get outside and volunteer

Cause-driven volunteer programs are an excellent way to support something

meaningful and have a big impact on your communities. There are all sorts
of green causes and conservation campaigns your company can participate
in. Last summer, Rise participated in a beach cleanup with CPAWS BC. Find
a philanthropic project that’s close to your organization’s heart and get your
people involved.

Make green thinking a key part of your company culture

Include your employees in your environmental vision by getting them engaged

and involved. Talk to and collaborate with your team members to gather their
ideas for how your organization can go green and be more environmentally

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conscious in the workplace. Getting input from your employees will allow
them the opportunity to embody and embrace your new mission and goals.

Over to you

From promoting workplace wellness through a mindful and healthy office

environment to allowing your team members to think of the bigger picture,
encouraging environmentally conscious practices in the workplace will help
your people feel healthier, more satisfied with your company, and more driven
to thrive at work. Above all, the benefit of leaving a lasting impression of
environmental impact for your organization will stay for generations to come.

15 Tips for Promoting Sustainability in the Workplace

Environmental sustainability has been gaining more and more momentum

over the years, thanks to the likes of Greta Thunberg and the army of climate
activists marching on her side. As the world is finally catching on, an
increasing number of companies is taking inspiring measures to eliminate
their environmental footprint and transform into ecologically conscious
businesses. Feeling inspired? There are many green practices you could also
introduce to your workplace and turn it into a sustainable environment. From
green spaces to composting and going paperless, this list of tips will give you
some ideas on how you can make your office more sustainable.

1. Ban Disposable Products

According to Plastic Oceans, we produce 300 million tons of plastic every year,
half of which is meant for single-use and 8 million of which ends up in our
oceans. By removing disposable products from the workplace and
encouraging employees to invest in reusable alternatives, not only will you
reduce the number of plastic wastes in the workplace, but you could also save
a lot of money from your operational budget. Instead of using disposable
products in the office, provide employees with sustainable alternatives like
water flasks, cloth napkins and reusable cutlery. You could also use
compostable and biodegradable trash bags as well as recycled paper towels.

2. Introduce Green Initiatives

With carbon dioxide emissions hitting a record-breaking high, green

initiatives are as important as ever. Depending on the size of your
organization, there are different things you could do to tackle this. For
example, you could take part in a local tree-planting project or organize your
own beach cleanups. Allocating an annual budget to donate to environmental
organizations is also a good idea.

If you want to keep your employees positively engaged within the workplace,
too, you could introduce a ‘Green Employee’ award and set different
challenges for them. This will encourage everyone to step up their
sustainability game. Companies with larger operations can also partake in

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carbon offset schemes in a bid to eliminate their emissions and even attain a
carbon-neutral status. This is achieved by investing in environmental
initiatives such as clean energy projects. However, this is not exclusive to big
companies, as SMEs and even individuals can also get involved.

3. Create a Recycling Programme

Try as you may, eliminating office waste is quite challenging – which is why
having an effective recycling scheme in place is also necessary. Start by
assessing what usually gets thrown away and what can be recycled and
allocate different bins for different materials. You could start with paper,
plastic and metal before moving on to other things such as ink cartridges and
electronics. The thing about recycling is that it’s crucial that you only dispose
of recyclable. So, reach out to your municipal waste management service to
find out what they can and cannot recycle at their facilities. Clearly labelling
each bin and the contents that can go in it will also make your office recycling
programme more effective.

On another note, recycling is often deemed as a last option, rather than a

beaming solution for plastic waste. So, while it’s a necessary step to achieve
sustainability in the workplace, eliminating plastic use altogether is the most
environmentally sound route to take.

4. Go Digital

The average office worker in the US goes through roughly 10,000 sheets of
paper each year. One of the biggest perks of living in a digital world is that we
can divert a large sum of paper usage by keeping documents and products
digitalized. By opting to keep documents such as briefs, minutes from
meetings and reports digitalized, you could significantly cut down on paper
use. This switch won’t only reduce operating costs but could also make
information more accessible to your team, while also keeping

important data safe in your server rather than a filing cabinet. Meanwhile, the
paper that is used at the office could be easily recycled. Plus, opting for
double-sided printing will cut your paper usage by half.

5. Invest in Renewable Energy

While going digital is a great way to reduce the use of paper at work, the fact
remains that this can increase energy usage and, subsequently, carbon
emissions – especially in the case of an energy-intensive office. But fear
not, because investing in clean energy can resolve this conundrum.

While this might be a bigger leap, transitioning into renewable energy to power
your office has multiple benefits, including lowering your energy bills
significantly. And while the initial investment can be high, you will certainly
get a good run for your money in the long run. This could also improve your
brand image and contribute to your marketing efforts, which could also lead

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to a bigger influx of customers. All the while, this will minimize your
workplace’s carbon footprint.

6. Reduce Business Travel

Business travel is a traditional concept that comes with running a company.

However, from transatlantic flights to cross-country trips and taxi rides to
meetings and conferences, business travel accounts for high amounts of CO2
emissions. Oftentimes, there are easier and far more environmentally friendly
options. Going digital doesn’t just entail eliminating printing and becoming a
paperless workplace. Indeed, some business travel can be easily avoided with
a simple video call. Other ways to eliminate carbon footprint also include
choosing more sustainable modes of transportation, such as trains, for
shorter trips. In the cases that business travel isn’t avoidable, however, your
company could neutralize its carbon emissions through a carbon offsetting
programme.

7. Encourage Green Commuting

Looking past the traffic jams, road rage and stress that driving to work can
cause, it also contributes significantly to carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
Walking and biking to work, on the other hand, are much healthier options
in every aspect. Carpooling with coworkers could also be a feasible option and
could halve your team’s carbon footprint significantly. Plus, it could make the
daily drive to and from work a bit less dull. If you have the budget, you could
take a page out of Google’s book and go as far as offering bus shuttle services
to your employees.

8. Switch to Ecosia

By using Ecosia, your staff can plant trees through their online searches.
Indeed, Ecosia uses ad revenue from its browser to aid reforestation efforts
around the world. With every search, you can bring it one step – or, rather,
one tree – closer to planting 1 billion trees by 2030. All you must do is install
Ecosia’s free browser extension on Chrome and set your default search engine
to Ecosia, and you’re good to go!

9. Create Green Spaces

Having green spaces at work has countless benefits. Not only can it increase
employee wellness and productivity, but it can also improve air quality and
temperature. Indeed, there are numerous plants that naturally filter the air
from toxins and can lower a room’s temperature by as much as 10 degrees.
This could mean using less energy to cool your office. On another note, you
could also make your workplace more sustainable by planting bee-friendly
plants outside. Whether it’s the roof, a window seal, a parking spot, or a
proper garden, you can make the most out of the available space at your

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workplace. Just look at the Netherlands who turned their bus stops into green
havens for bumblebees.

10. Do Meat-Free Mondays

Research shows that keeping meat off the menu just once a week can go a
long way when it comes to the environment. In fact, a family of four going
meat-free once a week has the same environmental impact as removing
16 million cars off the road.

If your office has a cafeteria or offers catered meals, then you could join the
meat-free Mondays movement and offer plant-based options to your
employees. Encouraging staff to partake in meat-free Mondays (or any other
day of the week) could create a team effort in reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.

11. Reduce Food Waste

It’s estimated that nearly one-third of the world’s food is wasted every year.
At the office, you can help reduce food waste by repurposing leftovers. In fact,
it can be used to produce biogas, compost and even animal feed. First things
first, you need to set up a proper disposal system that will divide food waste
from general waste. You could opt to send waste to commercial composting
or an anaerobic digestion facility or even try on-site composting. This will
require a little more commitment on your part, but it could prove to be a great
initiative for your workplace!

12. Be Energy Efficient

Using energy-efficient alternatives is a great way to promote sustainability in

the workplace.

Starting with LED lamps, you would be choosing a far more durable,
ecologically conscious, and cost-efficient option for your office. In fact, LEDs
can last up to 25 times longer, using only a fraction of the energy that
conventional incandescent light bulbs do. Having light timers installed in the
office could also help economize energy, especially in common areas such
as break rooms and restrooms. Meanwhile, investing in energy-efficient
computers is also a great initiative, especially if your company is energy-
intensive and largely depends on electronic devices.

13. Host Training Workshops

While implementing sustainable initiatives at work is crucial, engaging your

team with these objectives can be a whole different story. Without proper
awareness and positive engagement, your green goals are very likely to flunk.
Therefore, receiving proper training regarding sustainability and
environmental initiatives is equally important. Encouraging the professional

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development and education of your team regarding these issues won’t only
help you make sustainability at work a success, but it could also give
everyone an idea on how they can integrate these practices into their day-to-
day lives too.

14. Hold Your Partners Accountable

When it comes to business, sustainability can be achieved in different ways.

For instance, your partners and suppliers and their own practices and values
can affect your sustainable objectives, whether in a good or bad way. This is
especially true for larger businesses with wider operations that have a
significantly higher impact on the environment. Holding your key
stakeholders up to certain standards regarding ethics and sustainability,
then, is equally important to implement other targets within the realms of
your company.

15. Establish Green Values

Lastly, outlining your green values could help you encapsulate all your
objectives as a business and encourage your team to take sustainability
seriously. If you’re set on introducing sustainable practices in the workplace,
integrating them into a comprehensible list will help make your pursuit easier.
A good way to make these values even more purposeful is to align them with
your company’s stated mission.

Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the statement
is wrong.

What’s More

_____1. Using energy-efficient alternatives is a great way to promote

sustainability in the workplace.

_____2. While implementing sustainable initiatives at work is crucial,

engaging your team with these objectives can be a whole different story.

_____3. Holding your key stakeholders up to certain standards regarding

ethics and sustainability, then, is equally important to implement other
targets within the realms of your company.

_____4. If you’re set on introducing sustainable practices in the workplace,

integrating them into a comprehensible list will help make your pursuit easier.

_____5. At the office, you can help reduce food waste by repurposing leftovers.
In fact, it can be used to produce biogas, compost and even animal fee.
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 What I Have Learned

Write your personal insight of what you have learned from the lesson. Answer
the question below. Write your answer in your activity notebook.

Give at least 3 benefits of a good workplace environment practices

What I Can Do

Direction: Answer the questions below and write your answers in your
activity notebook.

Question: Why is good workplace environment practice important?

Assessment

Direction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write

FALSE if it is wrong. Write it in your activity notebook.

1. Using energy-efficient alternatives is a great way to

promote sustainability in the workplace.

2. While implementing sustainable initiatives at work is crucial,

engaging your team with these objectives can be a whole different
story.

3. Holding your key stakeholders up to certain standards

regarding ethics and sustainability, then, is equally important to
implement other targets within the realms of your company.

4. If you’re set on introducing sustainable practices in the

workplace, integrating them into a comprehensible list will help make
your pursuit easier.

5. At the office, you can help reduce food waste by repurposing

leftovers. In fact, it can be used to produce biogas, compost and even
animal feed.

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 Answer Key

References
2019. Rise. April 18. Accessed February 2022, 2022. https://risepeople.com/blog/environmentally-
conscious-workplace/.

Theodorou, Melina. 2020. Career Addict. April 4. Accessed February 28, 2022.
https://www.careeraddict.com/sustainability-workplace.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Schools Division of Negros Oriental

Kagawasan, Avenue, Daro, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental

Tel #: (035) 225 2376 / 541 1117

Email Address: negros.oriental@deped.gov.ph
Website: lrmds.depednodis.net

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