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Green Seal Green Office Partnership

Green Seal Green Office Partnership. Green Seal Background. Green Seal is a non-profit organization that uses science-based programs to empower consumers, purchasers, and companies to create a more sustainable world. 501 (c)(3) science-based non-profit founded in 1989

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Green Seal Green Office Partnership

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  1. Green Seal Green Office Partnership

  2. Green Seal Background Green Seal is a non-profit organization that uses science-based programs to empower consumers, purchasers, and companies to create a more sustainable world. • 501 (c)(3) science-based non-profit founded in 1989 • Environmental mission with focus on products, services, purchasing, operations • Certification program encompasses nearly 400 product and service categories • Institutional greening program focuses on purchasing and facilities management

  3. Green Office Partnership: Purpose • Offers a program that assists offices in reducing their environmental impacts using practicable solutions. • Program focuses on operations offices can control. • Implementation will not only have environmental benefits, but will also be an educational opportunity for employees and add to the office’s bottom line.

  4. Green Office Partnership: Overview • Program consists of three parts: • Initial Checklist and Review by Office Manager (1-3 hours) • On-site Evaluation by Green Seal staff followed by Report and Recommendations (1-2 hours) • Employee Presentation by Green Seal staff (1 hour) • Program allows for additional assistance, if requested

  5. Focus Areas for Evaluation • Waste reduction and recycling • Office supplies • IT equipment and management • Kitchen/Pantry supplies • Office operations (i.e. coordination with building management) • Transportation • Staff education

  6. National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association • Met all required criteria for the program • Met 74% of total options • Highlights: Well-labeled recycling program, reusable kitchen supplies, IT procedures • Improvements: Added paper recycling boxes, double-sided printing, and recycled-content paper • Can also look at other paper products or soaps

  7. Waste Reduction & Recycling in the U.S. • 63% of office paper, newspaper, and cardboard was recovered for recycling • 8% of the plastic waste generated was recovered for recycling • 27% of glass bottles were recovered for recycling • 50% of aluminum cans were recovered for recycling Source: U.S. EPA 2010

  8. Develop Waste Reduction & Recycling Program • Review current waste and recycling practices • Develop recommendations for improving program • Are there enough recycling bins? • Are recycling bins clearly marked? • Are they in the optimal locations? • Inform employees about what can be recycled • Ask for feedback to determine if there are other, or better, locations

  9. Office Supplies • Review current procurement • Develop prioritization, starting with largest purchases • Copier/printing paper, notepads, envelopes, and folders are typically the largest purchases • Followed by: • ink and toner • disposable kitchen/pantry products (cups, plates, silverware) • sanitary paper products (napkins, tissue, paper towel) • Find environmentally-preferable options

  10. IT Equipment & Management • Contact IT administrator to determine the following capabilities of IT equipment and systems • Can equipment have default setting to sleep when not in use? • Can computers be turned off over night? • Are printers/copiers set for double-sided printing by default? • When purchasing new equipment, purchase energy efficient options • EPEAT and ENERGY STAR rating • Recycle or donate old IT equipment • Recycle e-waste (CDs, DVDs, batteries, flash-drives, mobile phones, etc.)

  11. Office Operations • Are lights turned off when conference rooms and offices are not in use? • Can motion sensors be retrofitted? • Are HVAC units turned off when office is not in operation? • Are there programmable thermostats that can be set to turn up/down (based on season) when the office is not in operation?

  12. Transportation • Do you support sustainable travel? i.e. public transit, bicycling, or carpools • Is teleworking feasible? • Is equipment and procedures in place for teleconferencing or webconferencing?

  13. Staff Education • Appointing a green leader or green team • Train new employees in proper procedures • Include green information in employee resource guides

  14. Recognition • Offices that meet all the mandatory criteria are recognized as a Green Seal Green Office Partner • Offices receive a certificate of recognition • Our marketing department also works with Partners on graphics, talking points, and promotion

  15. Status of the Program • Checklist has 55 total criteria with 18 required criteria to earn Partner status • Currently 16 Green Office Partners from a variety of industries and associations • Partnerships now available for any office nationwide

  16. Fees • Partnership evaluation fee based on office size • Partnership is valid for 2 years • Starts at $550 • Renewal of Partnership • Every 2 years • Starts at $250

  17. Contact Info: More information available at: GreenSeal.org/GreenOfficePartnership Ben Walsh Project Coordinator bwalsh@greenseal.org 202-697-4166

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