Level 3 – Sapling
Name of Green Team:
Contact email:
Education & Outreach
 A centralized location or email listserv (such as our Green Teams listserv) with green
tips, action ideas, and events has been created and co-workers have been informed of its
existence.
 Updates and/or green tips are presented during regular office meetings.
 We have reviewed our actions from Level 2 – Sprout to ensure we are still practicing
those actions.
 After introducing new office members to the Green Teams program, we ask interested members
to sign a written commitment to take action. (Tip: asking for preliminary feedback from
staff on what to include will give them a stake in the process, helping to foster buy-in.)
Resource Use
When our office receives unsolicited mail, catalogues or faxes we take measures to be
removed from those mailing lists. 
 We reduce paper margins in order to decrease the length of documents we print.
 We purchase envelopes, post-it notes, and other non-copy paper products with at least 30%
recycled content.
 We have verified that copy and printer paper used in our office has at least 50% recycled
content.
 Hard copy publications or forms generated by our department have been replaced by
electronic versions.
Recycling
 We make sure used materials, appliances, and furniture (in any condition) are not thrown
away by contacting IU Surplus.
 A designated collection bin or area for our large e-waste (laptops, computers, printers,
A/V, office phones) and small e-waste (CDs, audio tapes, cell phones, pagers, PDAs, inkjet
printer cartridges) has been publicized via email or at a work meeting. We contact IU
Surplus for recycling of these materials.
 Rather than being part of a general e-waste recycle bin, our printer cartridges are
collected and recycled through our distributor.
 Batteries size D and smaller are collected in specified battery containers that are then
set near loading docks for proper disposal.
Sustainable Computing
Information on how to activate sleep mode for computers and other office appliances has b
een
circulated via email, posted, and/or discussed at a work meeting. 
We have de-activated all screen savers.
Energy & Built Environment
We have shared our 30-day office temperature report with those who control our thermostat
, and asked that our office’s thermostat be set at the recommended settings of 68°F in winter
(maximum) and 76°F in summer (minimum). 
Prompts encouraging the use of stairwells have been posted near the elevators. 
We consulted with Building Services to insert energy-efficient bulbs into lighting fixtur
es and to remove unneeded lighting fixtures whenever possible. 
 During cold weather, we encourage individuals to close their blinds at night.
 Microwaves, coffee makers, and other small appliances are unplugged when not in use or at
night, or are programmed to shut off through a timer.
Transportation
 We have notified Parking Services if available bicycle parking spaces are not meeting
demand.
 We publicize a “Green Transit” day at least once per semester, encouraging staff to
carpool, take public transportation, bike or walk to campus.
Food
Reusable cups, mugs, silverware and dishware are available in break rooms and kitchens. 
We have met with the person(s) in charge of purchasing to inquire about the possibility o
f stocking our kitchen(s) and break room(s) with Green Seal certified cleaning products. 
Innovation
 Insert any departmental innovations related to sustainability not included in the
checklist here. An unlimited number of initiatives may be added.
Example innovations include:
 Utilizing the sustainability dashboard to keep track of water, energy, and office
supply uses and discussing the results.
 Campus building grounds house native plants, an edible campus garden, or a Certified
Wildlife Habitat
 Including information about IU’s environmental commitment in job postings
 Completing a Sprout-level action not previously pursued
 Installing a rain barrel, with specific plans for who will use the water and where
once it has been collected
Note: Sapling Certification is achieved when 75% of total initiatives listed have been pursued (including
innovation credits, which can be pursued in place of other initiatives listed)