Issued 21st August 2009

Staff members in South Dublin County Council are being encouraged to Switch Off, as part of a new campaign to promote energy awareness among local authority employees. South Dublin County Council is running the Switch Off campaign in partnership with its energy advisor, Codema.

The Switch Off campaign encourages staff to switch off lights and appliances such as computers, photocopiers and printers when not in use. By taking part in this campaign, employees can help to protect the environment while preventing thousands of Euro being needlessly wasted on their departments annual energy bill.

Codema calculates that 65,000 is wasted every year through lights and office appliances being left on in the evening in all Dublin local authorities. This is a conservative estimate and only accounts for local authority head offices.

As part of this campaign, Switch Off posters will be placed in all offices in South Dublin County Council, along with Switch Off stickers for all office light switches.

Codema will also hold a Switch Off day on Wednesday, 9^th September in County Hall. Staff members can learn more about saving energy around the office and have the opportunity to submit their own ideas on improving energy-efficiency in the workplace. In addition, employees will also be able to enter a draw to win a fantastic low-energy Philips 32 LCD TV, with thanks to DID Electrical. The Philips 5000 series has energy-saving features and has been awarded the Eco Flower symbol.

For more information on the Switch Off campaign, visit www.codema.ie/switchoff.html or contact Suzanne Morgan, Communications Officer, Codema at suzanne.morgan@codema.ie