In 2013, about 1,500 ADB personnel signed up for the No Impact experiment and tried to reduce their consumption and explore more sustainable alternatives for their transport, food, energy, and water use to see if they would save money, lose weight, live healthier and be happier.
For one week, ADB personnel walked, biked, and took public transport instead of driving to work. They refused plastic and brought their eco-bags. They minimized water use, made the right food choices, and tried to watch their overall consumption of food, paper, electricity, and other resources.
The impact of "No Impact"
Since No Impact Week, bottled water is no longer available for sale or at events in ADB. Because prices of disposables were doubled, staff members bring their own food containers and mugs. Indoor office temperature was increased by one degree and major energy efficiency measures were made. Some ADB personnel lessened their meat consumption, and significantly more people are using the stairs.
For ADB No Impact Week 2014, we are challenging ourselves even more to go bigger and better. A waste market, trash to treasure bazaar of recycled and upcycled products, a local sustainable super food cook-off, and friendly — but challenging — walking and stair master competitions are lined up for the week as well as community-building and volunteering activities.
How it works
Participants sign-up for the ADB No Impact Week 2014 challenge at the No Impact Project website and commit to activities based on the day's theme:
-Monday, 24 February - Stop making trash
-Tuesday, 25 February - Switch to more sustainable transport
-Wednesday, 26 February - Eat less meat, eat local
-Thursday, 27 February - Conserve energy
-Friday, 28 February - Consume less water
-Saturday, 1 March - Giving back: Pay it forward
Each day builds on the day before, so by Friday participants will have tried to consume less, produce less trash, and make more sustainable choices in terms of transportation, food, energy use, food and water consumption.
No Impact Week builds on ADB's long-term sustainability projects in its headquarters and operations. ADB also encourages other organizations and schools in the region to organize their own No Impact Weeks.
Target participants
All ADB staff, consultants, and contractors. External guests will be invited to observe. These include but are not limited to:
-university students and faculty,
-representatives from the private sector,
-NGOs, and
-local governments.
