BGSU Green Office Certification Resource Page
Printing/Paper reduction
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Use printer paper that is at least 30% post-consumer recycled content paper
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To find paper with post-consumer recycled content that is also FSC chain of custody certified or SFI fiber source, click here
Utilize printer paper that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certified/ Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Fiber
Source Certified
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Set double-sided printing as default setting on office computers
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To figure out how to set double-sided printing as a default on your computer
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For Windows Vista or 7, click here
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For Mac OS X, click here
We have an office policy to use reduced paper margins in order to decrease the length of documents we print
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To find paper with post-consumer recycled content that is also FSC chain of custody certified or SFI fiber source, click here
To figure out how to set margin sizes as a default on your documents
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For Windows, click here
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For Mac OS X, click here
Utilize share drives, online resources, and/or USB drives to share documents as an alternative to printing
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Contact ITS for questions about setting up a shared drive or an internal office network
Lighting
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Install and use CFL or LED bulbs where applicable
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FREE CFL bulbs can be obtained through the Office of Campus Sustainability (greenbg@bgsu.edu).
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To purchase CFL bulbs from OfficeMax, click here
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To purchase LED bulbs from Home Depot , click here
Post green “Power Down” stickers on light switches
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Email the number of necessary stickers to greenbg@bgsu.edu
Post signs to remind employees to turn off lights when room is not in use
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Print off our pre-made signs for your office, here!
Energy
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Microwaves, coffee makers, small appliances, printers, copiers, etc. are unplugged at night by a designated person or are
programmed to shut off through a timer or by turning off the power strip that appliances are plugged into
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To learn why it is important to unplug unused appliances, read about vampire appliances, here
Arrange with your IT group to be able to shut down computers at night and it is now office policy to shut down computers,
monitors, speakers, etc. at the end of the work day
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Purchase a battery recharger for the office and use rechargeable (instead of disposable) batteries for portable electronics
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ITS may be contacted by phone at 419-372-0999, or by email at tsc@bgsu.edu
To purchase rechargeable batteries from Office Max, click here
Send a reminder e-mail before breaks about conserving energy and how to prepare for break
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Recycling/Reuse
Download our pre-made e-mail template, here!
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Have recycling bins available in the workplace (break rooms, next to printers/copiers, and in every office) for mixed paper products
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Provide recycling for cans, bottles, paper, and glass
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If your office needs recycling containers, submit a work order for it here
Post proper signage is displayed to indicate recycling locations in the office
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If your office needs recycling containers, submit a work order for it here
Print off our pre-made signs, here!
Post clear and visible signage around the recycling/waste bin area to encourage recycling (as well as post the monthly “Recycler”
flyers provided to you by the Office of Campus Sustainability)
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Create and utilize a designated place for office supplies to be shared/reused (file folders, binders, pens, paper clips, etc.)
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Print off our pre-made signs, here!
For a how-to on creating an office re-use program, click here.
Create and utilize an e-waste recycling program set up for toners, ink cartridges, batteries, cell phones, and other electronic
devices through the Office of Campus Sustainability
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Contact the Office of Campus Sustainability to receive a box with signage to advertise for the program, call Campus
Sustainability when it’s full to have it picked up! Learn about the program, here
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When clearing out an office, donate items to the Office of Campus Sustainability to be reused
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To contact the Office of Campus Sustainability, click here
Purchasing
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Before purchasing new equipment/supplies check with the Office of Campus Sustainability to get re-used items if available
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Once Upon A Desk is an initiative done by the Office of Campus Sustainability that encourages the re-use of office supplies
by BGSU faculty and staff. Visit the website to find the dates and locations for pickups this semester!
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Visit the Surplus Inventory Warehouse website to find dates and times for surplus item preview
Purchase Energy Star appliances when available
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To learn about Energy Star ratings, click here
Break room
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Eliminate Styrofoam items completely
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Eliminate the use of individually sized bottled water within the office, and institute a reusable bottle alternative
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To learn why plastic water bottles are also detrimental to the environment, click here
If disposable items must be bought, purchase bleach free 100% post-consumer recycled content paper products
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To learn why Styrofoam is detrimental to the environment, click here
To find an array of environmentally-friendly dining ware, click here
Provide only fair trade coffee
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To learn about fair trade coffee, click here
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For a list of businesses that sell fair trade coffee such as Meijer and Wal-Mart, click here
Transportation
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Encourage employees to use alternate forms of transportation by posting information about the health and environmental
benefits of biking, carpooling, etc.
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Print off our pre-made signs, here!
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Utilize the University’s Ride Board program: Login to your MyBGSU, Click on the Community tab, and it is called “Ride
Board” under the Discussion Boards
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When choosing lodging, give preference to lodging that is EPA Energy Star labeled
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Click here to search for Energy Star Hotels
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“Select Facility Types” click the drop down button and select “hotel” (a quarter way down the list from the top)
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“Select Label Year” KEEP THIS THE SAME. Do not restrict the label year for optimal results
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You can now search by City, State, or Zipcode (searching OH will find all hotels in Ohio and provide a map)
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Click “Find”
Meetings
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Hold paperless meetings instead of printing out agendas
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Email agendas for people to review before the meeting, but ask them not to print it
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Use a projector to show slides of information instead of printing and distributing it
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Use a white board to write the agenda on instead of printing out one
Hold meetings with an online alternative instead of driving or flying for meetings (Skype, ooVoo, etc.)
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To learn how to host an online meeting, click here
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Skype works too! Click here for a tutorial.
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Dedicate time during staff meetings to provide sustainability updates throughout the year (updates regarding
sustainability projects, initiatives, and programs occurring at the time)
Education
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Designate a bulletin board, email system, or some other form of education for our Green Office Coordinator to post/send around
sustainability related topics
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Post the suggested flyers regarding the Presidents’ Climate Commitment and the University’s Pledge to going “green”
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Print out information and resources here! Feel free to customize and personalize as you wish
Print out our pre-made signs, here!
Have information about our office’s environmental efforts and what we are doing to meet the Green Office standards posted in a
location for staff and visitors to see
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Invite the Office of Campus Sustainability to visit your office and present about sustainability
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To contact us, click here
Help another office to pursue Green Certification
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Send us the name of the Office/Department and the name of the individual you contacted
Brought to you by the Office of Campus Sustainability
www.bgsu.edu/sustainability.html