The process is based around a Green Office Checklist that entails a guide of best practices to reduce environmental impact in your space. Offices will be connected with a student consultant to implement at least 70% of the items on the checklist. The consulting process is a hands-on experience, and student consultants are available to provide assistance every step of the way. Items on the checklist fall into the following categories:
Aim to educate staff, students, and visitors in your office about your green certification efforts, eco-friendly changes that can be made in daily life, and general knowledge of the environment. Examples include:
- There is a space on the office bulletin board or other intra-office communication
system dedicated to green tips.
- Print and display our green office tips sheet for your office.
- Our office has purchased at least one office-friendly, pollutant-removing plant.
- Filling your space with plants promotes stress reduction and productivity while improving air quality.
- Our office ensures that staff and students are aware of proper recycling practices
(and composting, if applicable).
- Utilize recycling guidelines to properly educate staff and students of recycling on campus.
Reduce overall consumption and waste production through reduction, reuse, and recycling. Examples include:
- We have a designated recycling container for empty inkjet and laserjet cartridges,
used batteries, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), CDs, chargers, and/or other small
electronic waste.
- Submit a request through the facilities department for an e-waste recycling bin. When the bin is full, call 777-WORK (9675) to schedule a pick-up.
- Post our e-waste graphic above your collection site to ensure visitors know where items can be recycled. If you have spare boxes, attach a contact card and reuse them as collection sites. Please ensure they are propely disposed of when the boxes are full.
- We plan to hold at least one annual office clean out day to promote recycling and
reuse (includes office supplies and e-waste).
- Submit a request through the facilities department for temporary clean-out bins. Facilities provides bins for mixed paper, hard-cover book recycling, and zero waste items (anything else reusable or recyclable).
- Our office takes large electronic waste (computers, printers, etc.) to Consolidated Services for proper recycling.
- Check out the purchasing department's sustainable initiatives for best practices.
Encourage responsible purchasing and support more environmentally-friendly options. Examples include:
- Before making major purchases, our office checks with Consolidated Services to see if similar surplus items are in stock.
- Our office uses printer paper that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified or contains at least 50% recycled content.
- Our office only uses Energy Star or EPEAT certified machines, and has established a policy to only purchase Energy Star or EPEAT certified machines in the future.
Reduce energy consumption in your office and promote responsible use of energy. Examples include:
- We have posted prompts near light switches to encourage energy conservation.
- Our office fully shuts off all faucets and promptly fixes or reports any leaks.
- Submit a request through the facilities department to fix any leaking faucets.
- Our office will email staff an energy-saving checklist to complete before holidays and breaks.
Implement at least one innovation in your office. Examples include:
- Our office favors purchasing plant-based/vegan food for our events
- Our office purchases giveaway items/prizes/gifts that are experiences, support sustainability initiatives, or reusable items that replace a disposable one (e.g. concert/play/sports game tickets, reusable mugs, digital gift certificates, etc.)
- Our office gives preference to buying products/catering from local and small businesses.
- Our office hosts a “bring a plant to work day” and leaves it in their office.