Green Offices Checklist - Green Spaces Certification

GREEN CHECKLIST

OFFICES

THERE ARE 49 SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS BELOW. WHAT’S OUR OFFICE COMMITMENT? PARTICIPATION (3) 1. Our office members have been informed and have agreed to follow the applicable actions on this checklist.

2. We share information about our Green Spaces Certification with all new employees and encourage them to get involved.

3. We discuss sustainability and the progress of our Green Spaces Certification at staff meetings

WHAT SUSTAINABLE ACTIONS WILL WE ADOPT? TRANSPORTATION (6) As an office, we…

4. Provide information and/or incentives to encourage staff to take sustainable transportation to work. For example: have a public bulletin board with information on alternative transportation, or provide a ‘ride board’ for carpooling.

5. Practice green driving habits by: accelerating slowly, maintaining tire pressure, regularly performing vehicle maintenance, eliminating excess weight in vehicles, and reducing vehicle idling time.

6. Have contacted Edmonton Bicycle Commuters’ Society to learn more about commuting safely and bicycle maintenance.

7. Use the most fuel efficient vehicles to meet staff needs.

8. Access the University of Alberta’s fleet of hybrid vehicles when needed.

9. Offset any travel related carbon emissions by purchasing offsets from a reputable retailer.

FOOD & DRINK (9) In our office, we…

10. Have a place to store and a full supply of reusable dishware, cutlery, and cups.

11. Bring and use reusable containers for food and beverages most of the time.

12. Encourage staff to pack lunches and use kitchen amenities in or near our office, such as a refrigerator, microwave, or toaster.

13. Avoid purchasing bottled water by drinking tap or filtered water instead.

14. Provide condiments in full sized containers and buying them in bulk.

15. Hosted a Farm to Fridge presentation from the Office of Sustainability.

16. Adjusted our refrigerator temperature to 4°C and freezer to -18°C. 17. Compost organic food waste.

18. Purchasing seasonal, local, organic, and/or Fair Trade food whenever possible.

GREEN CHECKLIST OFFICES PURCHASING (9) In our office, we purchase and use…

37. Set our printers to automatically print double sided.

20. Environmentally friendly office supplies.

38. Collect old batteries and take them to InfoLink booths or if you are staff, contact your Facility Service Manager to set up an office battery program.

21. Recycled content paper.

39. Recycle our printer cartridges.

22. Rechargeable batteries for frequently used devices.

23. Eco-friendly dish soap.

40. Have improved our office’s functionality by addressing any heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or indoor air quality issues.

24. Online subscriptions instead of print subscriptions most of the time.

MEETINGS & SMALL EVENTS (8)

19. Reusable bags instead of plastic bags.

25. Reused equipment or furniture.

26. Energy efficient electronics and multifunction devices through the university’s Preferred Suppliers.

Together, we have…

27. Hosted a Story of Our Stuff workshop delivered by the Office of Sustainability and Supply Management Services.

BUILDING & WORKSPACE (13)

When hosting or attending meetings and small events, we…

41. Send pre-meeting reminders to our staff and guests to bring reusable cups and dishes.

42. Carpool or take public transit to external meetings most of the time.

43. Provide tap or filtered water in reusable pitchers at meetings.

44. Distribute agendas and support documents electronically most of the time.

In our office, we…

45. Stay in eco-friendly hotels if travelling is required (such as Green Key certified hotels).

28. Have a place for scrap paper that we reuse for other projects.

46. Use video and/or teleconferencing equipment if travelling is not required.

29. Recycle our waste.

47. Access Sustain SU’s reusable dish program when catering meetings.

30. Only print what is needed.

31. Distribute materials electronically or use a bulletin board most of the time.

48. Hire green caterers and feature seasonal and locally grown menu item.

32. Switch off lights and unplug equipment not in use.

INNOVATION (1)

33. Use as much natural light in our workspace as possible.

In our office we will work together to…

34. Practice green computing habits.

35. Reduce and reuse office supplies, and only purchase what we need.

36. Report all leaks and running taps by phoning 780.492.4833.

49. Create our own Innovation Action.