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 CU before 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 CU Bike 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