Green Office Checklist

Purchasing

• Purchase chlorine-free, high post-consumer-waste recycled paper.
• Use reusable inter-office envelopes.
• Purchase recycled and non-chlorine-bleached paper towels and napkins.
• Purchase fair-trade, organic coffee.
• Avoid individually packaged sugar and cream in the kitchen.
• Work with printers who use responsible inks and papers.
• Purchase and use recycled and recyclable products.
• Purchase unbleached or chlorine-free, high post-consumer-waste recycled paper products including binders, and envelopes.
• Consider products with minimum packaging; purchase in bulk.
• Use refillable pens and tape dispensers instead of disposable ones.
• Use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning supplies.
• Purchase products from local suppliers (to avoid long distance shipping and packaging) and from suppliers committed to environmental issues.
• Buy locally grown organic food, and support caterers who do too. Visit the Local Harvest site to find organic foods grown near you.
• Buy rechargeable batteries and a charger.
• Look for EPA Energy Star certified options when purchasing new equipment or appliances.
• Purchase a water filter to keep in the fridge when possible.

Practices

• Keep mailing lists up-to-date and avoid duplicates.
• Edit your documents on-screen as much as possible to avoid printing multiple drafts.
• Use the double-sided feature to print and copy documents.
• Use the reduction feature on a copier to fit more on a page.
• Print using lowest-quality print setting when appropriate to conserve ink and cartridges.
• Save paper by design: use narrower margins and smaller fonts when acceptable.
• Use postcards for mailings when possible and use the smallest size envelope required.
• Save ½ used sheets of office paper (sheets printed on only one side) to stock fax machines, use as scratch paper, and copy and print drafts (or whenever appropriate).
• Avoid using colored paper when possible.
• Use reusable inter-office envelopes.
• Keep washable plates, mugs, glasses and silverware in the kitchen and avoid disposables.
• Hang hand-towels in the kitchen (and bathroom) and use cloth napkins in place of paper ones. Establish a system for washing cloth items.
• Bring lunches in reusable rather than disposable containers.
• Have a “used goods area” within the office and include binders, folders, padded envelopes, cardboard boxes, disks, etc. Use these before purchasing new supplies.
• Set up a comprehensive office recycling program for paper, cardboard, glass, metals, and plastic; and clearly label all recycling bins.
• Recycle toner cartridges through the manufacturers’ recycling program.
• Dispose of hazardous materials properly. This includes cleaning products, fluorescent light bulbs, computers and electronics, drain cleaners, batteries, old cell phones, etc. The City of Pasadena web site has a list of hazardous waste roundup locations.
• Dispose of e-waste properly. E-waste is a name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be reused, refurbished, or recycled. Search for a recycler near you.
• Packing peanuts can be recycled on-campus at Mail Services.
• Compost food waste outdoors or indoors.

Responsible Paper Usage

• Eliminate use of fax cover sheets; write on the fax itself or attach a fax Post-It.
• Cancel junk mail and mailings you receive two copies of. The Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Committee has a free Junk Mail Reduction Kit you may download.

In the Kitchen

• Provide a dish-washing area to support staff efforts to use reusable containers.
• Eat in the restaurant as opposed to carrying-out food, and don’t accept Styrofoam containers.
• Bring your own bags when shopping.
• Limit or eliminate “fast food” chain restaurants from eating options; provide suggestions for local or organic options.

Office Supplies, Products, and Furniture

• Fix or donate broken furniture rather than sending it to a landfill.

Recycling and Proper Disposal

• Donate equipment and furniture to a resale store. (Salvation Army offers free pick-up.)
• Educate your office about recycling and proper waste management.

Meetings and Events

• Support environmentally responsible hotels and meeting spaces.
• Ensure that meetings and trainings are held at locations served by public transportation. Include train or bus directions on the invite.
• Label local and organic foods at events.
• When evaluating meetings and events, ask how the event could be “Greener” in the future.

Transportation

• Bike, walk, take public transportation, or carpool to work.
• Use videoconferencing and conference calls instead of travel when possible.

Energy Efficiency

• Turn on "power-save" modes on equipment and appliances.
• Turn off equipment during nights and weekends. Attach TVs, radios, computers, copy machines, microwaves, telephones, etc., to power strips for ease in turning them off at the end of the day. (Even when not in use, appliances use electricity. According to Co-op America, turning computers and copiers off after work can cut energy usage by up to 75%.)
• For windows that receive direct sunlight, close the blinds after work and on weekends to prevent excess heating in the summertime.
• Use a ceiling fan or other fan in the summer time with or without air conditioning. Fans use 98% less energy than AC and make you feel up to 6 degrees cooler.
• Open the windows and turn off the air conditioning on nice days.
• Ensure heaters/radiators are not blocked by furniture.
• Call to replace flickering fluorescent lights promptly.
• Turn off lights when exiting rooms.

Indoor Air Quality

• Conduct an air quality check.
• Add plants to offices and use natural fertilizers.
• Change air filters regularly.
• Integrate indoor air quality concerns into your purchasing behaviors.
• Turn off air conditioning and open the windows on nice days.
• Notify your building manager immediately if you suspect indoor air quality problems.

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