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Sustainability

Green Office Certification

Getting Green Office Certified is a valuable opportunity to instill sustainable practices within your workplace, garner recognition from the Office of Sustainability, and contribute to the improvement of our community's environmental footprint. 

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.
  • 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).

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 properly 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. 

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.

 


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