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Green Office Certification
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Tap above to learn how to become Green Office Certified.

The Green Office Program is a certification process that helps Florida State University employees identify ways to make their workplace more sustainable and recognizes offices for their sustainability achievements!

Energy Use
  • Employees are encouraged to utilize window blinds/shades to control the temperature when indoor air is being heated and cooled
  • Lights are turned off when not in use. Task lighting and natural lighting are used when possible
  • Electronic equipment is unplugged when not in use. Smart power strips are utilized that automatically cut electricity to idled devices and turned off at the end of the day
  • Personal space heaters are not utilized in the office
  • Screen savers are replaced with power settings that turn monitors to sleep mode. Hard drives, printers, copiers and scanners are set to enter sleep mode

Engagement

Health and Wellness
  • Employees are provided with information about the Employee Assistance Program
  • A plant-forward menu with healthy food and drink options (i.e. fruit, vegetables, non-bottled water) is the default when hosting meetings, conferences, and events
  • Active workspace tools (i.e. standing desks, active sitting balls, etc.) are available to employees
  • Workplace air quality is improved by minimizing artificial fragrance use and/or adding leafy plants to the workspace
  • The office engages in office walking challenges or other fitness challenges to encourage employee activity

Purchasing
  • The office utilizes the FSU Sustainable Purchasing Checklist before purchasing new products or services
  • The office purchases and/or updates existing equipment with energy efficient models
  • The office purchases at least 30% recycled content paper
  • Sustainability-related contract language is incorporated into ITN’s and ITB’s (for grants or proposals)
  • Purchases are made in bulk to minimize waste from packaging

Transportation
  • Employees are encouraged to sign up for the Commuter Services of North Florida Emergency Ride Home Program
  • Meetings are held in a central location for participants
  • Resources for conference calls (i.e. OpenVoice) and web conferencing (i.e. Zoom) are utilized as an alternative to traveling for meetings
  • Employees walk, bike, or take the bus when possible
  • Employees have completed the Cycling Savvy course
  • If travel is required, departments purchase carbon offsets to balance travel greenhouse gas emissions

Waste - Recycle
  • Fliers with recycling information are posted in the workplace. All recycling and landfill bins are labeled clearly
  • All ink and toner cartridges are recycled, and there is a recycling bin for small electronic waste (i.e. batteries, ink cartridges, etc.).
  • The office has eliminated all personal trash cans

Waste - Reduce
  • News media/distributors are contacted so the office receives fewer physical publications.
  • Electronic files are used over physical documents when possible. Memos, messages, and publications are distributed electronically or in a central location
  • The default print setting in the office is double sided and monochrome
  • Equipment in the office is shared between co-workers, such as printers, copiers, scanners, coffee pots, refrigerators, and other supplies
  • Employees utilize an electronic document management system (such as DocuSign) to provide signatures for contracts, agreements, and other relevant documents

Waste - Reuse
  • FSU Surplus is utilized when searching for furniture, vehicles, equipment, and other items
  • Boxes, envelopes, and other office supplies are re-used
  • A box is dedicated to collecting scrap paper in the printer or copy room; staff are encouraged to reuse this material as scrap paper
  • Employees visit the Office Supply Reuse Room or other designated shared space for needed supplies and donate items that are no longer being used in the workplace

Water Consumption