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 Earths 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 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 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 Climate neutrality by 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* © Clean Air-Cool Planet, Inc. All rights reserved 2020 Goal: 30% reduction from 2008 levels

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 The University reuses furniture and electronics whenever possible. All electronics are responsibly recycled and furniture that still has life is donated. For more information visit: RecyclingAluminum, 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

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)___________________________

Silver Spider Green Office Checklist 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 Universitys and the departments sustainability efforts Other (Please Specify)___________________________

Gold Spider Green Office Checklist Adhere to optimal energy saving temperature guidelines – set thermostat to in the winter and 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)___________________________

Stay Involved Visit sustainability.richmond.edu and learn about whats happening on campus and what you can do to help Follow us on or on Facebook University of Richmond Sustainability Join the sustainability list for monthly newsletters Join the sustainability book club to learn more about environmental issues us: Call the Sustainability Office: x1268 Visit the Sustainability Office: Puryear 101B