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