Green Office Program
University of Richmond
Updated Apr 1, 2013
Agenda
• Answer Sustainability FAQs
• Share recent sustainability developments at
University of Richmond
• Introduce the Green Office program
• Share the benefits of the program
• Introduce the Green Office checklists
• Other Sustainability resources
Sustainability FAQs
• What is Sustainability?
• In 1987, the UN defined sustainable activity to be activity
that “meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It
includes environmental, social, and economic values.
• What is a Greenhouse Gas (GHG)?
• GHGs are gases that traps heat energy from the sun in the
Earth’s atmosphere. These gases act like the windows of a
car on a hot day.
• These gases are released when fossil fuels are burned and
from other human activities and as these gases build up in
the atmosphere, the planet warms.
Sustainability FAQs
• Why is sustainability a prominent goal at
University of Richmond?
• President Edward Ayers signed the American College
and University Presidents Climate Commitment
(ACUPCC) in 2007.
• “We recognize the scientific consensus that global
warming is real and is largely being caused by humans.”
• “We believe colleges and universities must exercise
leadership in their communities and throughout society
by modeling ways to minimize global warming
emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the
educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality.”
Sustainability at Richmond
• As an ACUPCC signatory, the University is
committed to tracking and measuring the GHGs
emitted by the University.
• The University emitted approximately 44,000 metric
tons of carbon dioxide equivalents in the 2011-2012
fiscal year.
• UR also committed to the development and
implementation of a plan that will guide the
University toward climate neutrality.
Sustainability at Richmond
• In 2010, the University completed and approved a
Climate Action Plan.
• Target Dates for GHG emissions reductions:
• 30% GHG emissions reduction from 2008 levels by 2020.
• Climate neutrality by 2050.
• We will reach climate neutrality when we have
significantly reduced our greenhouse gas emissions
and the remaining emissions are offset by renewable
energy and other carbon offsets.
Carbon Calculation*
Scope 2 T&D Losses
60,000
Total Emissions (Metric Tonnes eCO2)
Paper
50,000
Wastewater
Solid Waste
40,000
Study Abroad Air Travel
2020 Goal: 30% reduction from 2008 levels
30,000
Directly Financed
Outsourced Travel
Commuting
Purchased Steam / Chilled
Water
20,000
Purchased Electricity
Agriculture
10,000
Refrigerants & Chemicals
Direct Transportation
0
2005
2008
2011
Year
©2001-2009 Clean Air-Cool Planet, Inc. All rights reserved
On-Campus Stationary
Climate Action Plan Focus
Areas
 Administration
 Campaigns and Policies
 Infrastructure Energy Use
 Combination of behavior
change & energy efficiency
 Transportation
 Alternatives to driving alone
 Pedestrian and bicycle
friendly campus
 Conservation
• Land Management
• Water Conservation
 Material Management
 Waste reduction and
recycling
 Education
 Curriculum
 Community
Sustainability At Richmond
• RecyleMania
• Green bike program
• Transportation alternatives: Ridefinders, GRTC, Shuttles
• Established LEED Silver minimum standards
• Energy use monitors in residence halls
• Standard trash and recycling bin labels
• Solar panels on the UFAs
• Campus wide energy audit
Recycling Guidelines
Recycling
Aluminum, tin, and steel cans, glass bottles or jars, plastics (#1 - #7).
Paper of all types including copy, newspaper, magazines, books, etc.
Please empty containers, clean when possible, and remove caps.
Look for blue bins. NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE WASTE.
Trash for Landfill
(Not recyclable)
Food waste and other non-recyclable items
•
The University reuses furniture and electronics whenever possible. All
electronics are responsibly recycled and furniture that still has life is
donated.
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For more information visit:
http://www.sustainability.richmond.edu/initiatives/recycling/guide.html
What is LEED?
• LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design
• LEED is a certification created by the U.S. Green
Building Council that sets nationally recognized
standards for environmentally friendly buildings
• LEED buildings at UR:
• LEED Gold – Weinstein Center for Recreation and Wellness
• LEED Silver – E. Claiborne Robins Stadium
• LEED Certified – Heilman Dining Center addition,
Weinstein Hall
Role of the Green Office
Program
• The University is committed to building efficient
buildings and upgrading existing campus systems to
operate as efficiently as possible.
• This program will…
• Establish a culture of sustainability.
• Help staff and faculty across UR do their part to meet
University goals in all focus areas.
• Provide tangible sustainability focused action items.
• Educate the University community.
• Build community within and across offices.
How the program works
• Offices that elect to participate will work their way
through three checklists, first bronze, then silver, and
finally gold.
• Each checklist builds off of the accomplishments of the
last, ultimately creating a culture of sustainability within
the office.
• To earn recognition at any level, complete the number of
actions specified for that level and turn in a signed
achievement form to the sustainability office.
• Offices need to re-certify annually.
What Offices Can Join?
• This program has been designed to be flexible, if
your ‘office’ does not easily fit within four walls, this
program is still for you.
• Each area is encouraged to define their office based
on what is appropriate for them. This information
should be clearly stated on the Green Office
achievement forms.
• Offices are encouraged to add additional checklist
items to personalize the program and enable each
office to have the largest possible impact.
Instructions for Adding
Checklist Items
• Each checklist allows for the addition of action items that
might be unique to your office.
• These ideas should be cleared with the Sustainability Office.
• The Sustainability Office can help you brainstorm unique ideas
for your office.
• Examples of additions to the checklist:
• If employees in an office frequently drive University vehicles for work, that office
could add a checklist item stating that vehicles will not be left idling.
• If employees in an office frequently interact with a wide variety of individuals,
that office could add that they will
work to share recycling information with individuals
across campus.
Becoming a Green Office
1.
Form a Green Team
 Appoint a Green Team Leader
 The team will work together to help the office complete their action
items
2.
Select at least 11 of the action items on the bronze level checklist
to implement in your office, have added items approved
3.
Complete the selected action items on the checklist
4.
Complete the Green Office achievement form and send it to the
Sustainability Office
 The office will be listed on the Sustainability website
and will receive a certificate to display
5.
Begin work on the silver checklist and then the gold
Bronze Spider
Green Office Checklist
 View Green Office Presentation (required)
 Create Green Team (required)
 Turn off personal computers, monitors, printers, and other office equipment at night and put
computers to sleep when away during the day
 Turn off common area office lights at night
 Turn off common printers, copiers, and scanners at night
 Use low energy use settings for computers
 Team leader receives sustainability newsletter and distributes to office or entire office receives
 Purchase paper with at least 30% post-consumer recycled content
 Staff are aware of University recycling guidelines
 Set copiers to automatically print double-sided wherever possible
 Employees have set computers to default to double-sided printing wherever possible
 Recycle ink and toner cartridges
 Have office scrap paper bins
 Other (Please Specify)___________________________
 Other (Please Specify)___________________________
Silver Spider
Green Office Checklist
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Purchase sustainable office materials (i.e. made from recycled material)
Ensure availability of adequate and correctly labeled recycling and trash bins by arranging and
completing an office waste audit with the Office of Sustainability
Consolidate office supply orders to a monthly order
Participate in the Office Supply Exchange Program
The office performs a thorough power-down prior to breaks and holidays
Office has requested additional bike racks if needed for bike commuters
Before ordering new furniture check with facilities for surplus inventory
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescent bulbs
Eliminate the use of space heaters
Eliminate use of disposable plates, cups, mugs, etc at informal (non-catered) meetings
Follow sustainable event practices including no bottled water and no balloons
Inquire about the availability of bulk water when planning a catered event
Office encourages single occupancy vehicle transportation alternatives
New employees are provided with information about the University’s and the department’s
sustainability efforts
Other (Please Specify)___________________________
Other (Please Specify)___________________________
Gold Spider
Green Office Checklist
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Adhere to optimal energy saving temperature guidelines – set thermostat to 66-70 in the
winter and 74-78 in the summer
Purchase recycled paper for external printing jobs
Recycle electronics, computer accessories, and other small electronics through IS
Unplug microwaves and coffee makers at night and when not in use; when needed replace
with energy star models
Eliminate personal printers and scanners
Utilize reusable plates, glasses, and utensils, at catered functions wherever possible
Environmental footprint of travel is considered when making work-related travel plans
Review document printing policies and adjust to reduce printing
Create online alternatives for publications and forms
Office does not provide bottled water or a water service for daily use
Office staff uses reusable dining ware on a daily basis and offers reusables to guest
Staff members use only eco-friendly dish soap and other cleaning products
Office encourages staff to participate in a topically appropriate sustainability webinar or
other professional development opportunity
Other (Please Specify)___________________________
Other (Please Specify)___________________________
Stay Involved
•
Visit sustainability.richmond.edu and learn about what’s
happening on campus and what you can do to help
•
Follow us on Twitter @BeAGreenSpider or on Facebook
University of Richmond Sustainability
•
Join the sustainability email list for monthly newsletters
•
Join the sustainability book club to learn more about
environmental issues
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Email us: sustainability@richmond.edu
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Call the Sustainability Office: x1268
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Visit the Sustainability Office: Puryear 101B