OMG Germany
OMG Germany Makes a Game of Sustainability
OMG Germany sought to change the way people think about their energy use habits, in a fun and interactive way. After an extensive energy- and water-use audit and two months of research, the team issued a challenge.
Teams were organized for a three-month competition to find the most energy-efficient group in the office. The prize? A bonus vacation day for every member of the winning team. The premise of the game was simple: Break a rule, earn a point. The team with the fewest points wins. Here are some of the rules of the game:
- Turn off any desk lights if you're going to be away from your workstation for more than 20 minutes.
- If you leave the office for more than a two-hour period, power down your computer completely.
- Use only two paper towels per day.
- When you leave your office for the day, turn off heaters and close windows.
- If you're away from your desk longer than 30 minutes, turn off your monitor.
The energy team explained the rules on a video and enforced them through random inspections. In the end, the program was considered a great success for the environment and a fun team-building exercise for OMG employees.