Green Office Resources and Practices
Green Office Resources and Practices
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These campus sustainability practicesÌýenableÌýparticipantsÌýto actively contribute to sustainability successes on campus:
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Recycling and Events
Place recycling bins next to:
- Desk side (paper)
 - Copy area (paper)
 - Kitchen area (co-mingled containers and paper)
 - Lounge (paper & co-mingled containers)
 - Dock (paper, co-mingled containers, corrugated cardboard)
 
Collect special materials for recycling:Ìý
- Laser printer toners and inkjet cartridges (209 UCB if they are sealed in a plastic bag or box or to the E Center or the IPF at 2290 Stadium Drive).
 - Disks (Send in small quantities to Recycling, 209 UCB)
 - Tyvek envelopes (Send in small quantities to Recycling, 209 UCB)
 - Transparencies (Send in small quantities to Recycling, 209 UCB)
 
Other tips:
- Post recycling signs near all bins
 - Post recycling information
 - Discuss recycling procedures at staff meetings and train new staff on your office’s environmental practices
 - Contact Property Services to dispose of big office equipment and see if they can be salvaged
 
Recycling resources:
Energy
- Turn off computers, printers, and copiers over night and especially on weekends & breaks.
 - Activate sleep mode on computers, instead of screen-savers.
 - Activate energy savers on copiers, fax machines, & printers.
 - Replace old equipment with EnergyStar® equipment.
 - Replace monitors with flat-screen displays Eliminate standalone machines including desk-side printers, fax machines, and scanners (utilize multifunction devices).
 - Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL or LED Post signs/stickers near lights and appliances to remind people to shut them off.
 - Post signs/stickers near windows to shut them.
 - Regulate thermostats: 68° or below in winter and 75° or above in summer.
 - Set refrigerator temperature to 37° F and freezer to 3-5° F.
 - Turn off equipment and lights when not in use (small appliances still use energy if any sort of light is on) *Using power strips makes this easy.
 - Eliminate unnecessary equipment.
 
Purchasing
- Use recycled (100% recycled or high post-consumer content) and tree-free papers in copier, printer, and fax.
 - Make the switch to 100% recycled content as it becomes more affordable.
 - Use recyclable paper (no bright, dark or plastic coated).
 - Purchase recycled content, non-toxic, remanufactured office supplies.
 - Purchase non-toxic and/or biodegradable cleaners.
 - Purchase energy efficient and/or reused office equipment
 - Purchase furniture that is reused or made with recycled-content materials and/or certified wood
 - Ask about options for environmentally friendly products (i.e. paints, carpet, lighting) if you are planning to renovate or remodel
 - Shop Âé¶¹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØbefore going off-campus
 
Waste Reduction
- Memos, forms, and newsletters are sent electronically, while other documents are printed only when necessary
 - Opt out of receiving unwanted junk mail
 - Make double-sided copying/ printing a standard practice
 - Reuse items rather than throw them away when possible 
- Set aside an area for one sided scrap paper and reuse it in printer/copier when possible for informal documentsÌý
 
 - Have a designated area for sharing office supplies
 - Use reusable cups/mugs, plates, and silverware
 - Do not use bright/ dark paper and/or plastic covers in copy/ print jobs
 - Print only necessary quantities of copies, catalogs, brochures, etc.
 - Minimize packaging 
- Consolidate orders to once or twice a week (or less!)Ìý
 
 - Reuse plastic grocery bags
 - Avoid using bottled water at events and meetings
 
Transportation
- Post carpool, bus, bike, & pedestrian information (Zimride is a great carpool network!)
 - Make a bicycle available for running errands, making deliveries, etc.
 - The Âé¶¹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBike Station lends out bikes for 2 days, located on the east side of the UMCÌý
 - Request hybrids or right sized vehicles when renting from Transportation Services/Avis
 - PurchaseÌýoffsetsÌýfrom department travel (airplane travel, bringing in guest speakers, rental vehicles etc.)Ìý
 - Participate in commuter challenges (bike-to-work-day, etc.)
 
Transportation Resources:Ìý
Pest Management
- If you have pest occurrences, call Facilities Management for Integrated Pest Management – least toxic treatment and prevention methods