The
Green
Office Program is a voluntary, self-guided initiative that promotes best
environmental practices at the University of Maryland. The program supports and
promotes offices that are taking steps toward reducing their environmental
footprint.
True sustainability happens when it is embedded into our core operation and part of everyone’s job. The Green Office program engages everyone in taking steps towards a more sustainable future.
What Special Collections Staff are Doing
Participation
- Our office has signed the Green Office Participation Pledge
- We have completed our Green Office Pre-Audit
- We include sustainability topics as a regular agenda item at staff meetings
- Our website includes a link to the Office of Sustainability and information about our progress towards becoming Green Office certified
Energy and Technology
- We turn out lights when we leave an unoccupied room and use task lighting in place of overhead lights
- We use energy efficiency settings on our computers, monitors, printers, and copy machines
- We use centralized, shared appliances and equipment such as printers, scanners, copiers, and refrigerators
- When possible, we turn off our computers every night
- We ensure that windows are tightly closed during heating and cooling
Kitchen and Lunchroom
- We report leaks and running taps to Facilities Management
- We pack waste-free lunches
Meetings and Events
- We use reusable mugs/cups, including at office meetings and events
Transportation
- We carpool, take the shuttle, bike, or walk to on-campus meetings
Waste and Recycling Category
- We have established an office supply sharing and re-use area for file folders, binders, pens, tape, and more
- We use inter-departmental enveloped for mailing on campus
- We practice single-stream recycling and we have recycling instructions posted near all recycling bins
- We print and copy on both sides of a page and our printers/computers are set for automatic double-sided printing wherever possible
- We collect single-sided copy and print paper
- We recycle batteries using Facilities management brown battery collection system
- We participate in "Can the Can"
- When we have surplus office furniture, electronics, and equipment, we arrange Terrapin Trader to pick it up
- Toner and ink cartridges from printers and copy machines are recycled
Personalized Action
- We order environmentally friendly office supplies when possible
