Green Workplace

Green Workplace

The Green Workplace Program engages UVA employees in actions that conserve natural resources, save money and advance sustainability.

The Office for Sustainability offers a set of recommended actions, guiding individuals through implementation of those actions and providing incentives for sustainability progress, even after certification.

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Click on the photo to visit an interactive 360 degree tour of a Green Workplace -- drag your mouse to see the full space, and click on the "Information" icons.

 

 

 

 

Getting started

  1. Gauge interest among colleagues and start a list of employees who might like to join your “green team.”
  2. Learn more in an info meeting which you can request by emailing [email protected]
  3. Implement at least 20 sustainable actions from the list of 30 recommendations, and document progress as you go.
  4. Host a final review and walkthrough to go over notes and show the Program Coordinator what you’ve accomplished.
  5. Celebrate Green Workplace certification with snacks and a plaque courtesy of the Office for Sustainability!
  6. Earn badges for custom sustainability projects that involve five additional actions addressing unique challenges in your workplace.

 

Green Workplace Certification

 

Why participate in UVA’s Green Workplace Program?

It aligns with the University’s 2020-2030 Sustainability Plan. With your help, we can reach these goals and commitments. Individual actions matter, and everything adds up considering the 17,000+ academic employees and 12,000+ Health System employees at UVA. 

Additionally, many of the green actions in the program are win-win – they not only help the environment, but in many cases also streamline processes, save money and contribute to the personal and professional development of employees across our University.

What defines a workplace?

We specifically picked the word “workplace” as opposed to department, school or office in recognition that UVA workplaces are diverse.  Green Workplace Program participants get to choose the scope of their workplace, which you might define as a certain building / floor / office suite, or your workplace might include people who are physically spread out but tied together organizationally (a department or other sub-unit). 

Some UVA Green Workplaces are six people, while others include over 100 full-time employees, so you can participate at whatever scope you would like.

What is a Green Team?

No one should have to save the planet alone, so we recommend finding some allies if you’d like to work toward certification. A Green Team is an informal group of sustainability-interested UVA employees in the same workplace who work together to implement Green Workplace actions. The teams can be just a few people or a big group, but, if possible, it is nice to have passionate people with diverse interests and work functions.

Why are there just 30 actions in the newest version of the Green Workplace Program?

The current program is designed to focus on 30 actions that are all fairly easy, no-cost actions that are relevant in many types of workplaces. We think of these as the “low-hanging fruit” green actions that, once completed, build a foundation for deeper improvements that the Office for Sustainability also supports. See “badges” question below.

Why are there just 30 actions in the newest version of the Green Workplace Program?

The current program is designed to focus on 30 actions that are all fairly easy, no-cost actions that are relevant in many types of workplaces. We think of these as the “low-hanging fruit” green actions that, once completed, build a foundation for deeper improvements that the Office for Sustainability also supports. See “badges” question below.

What should I do if an action is not applicable or not possible in my workplace?

If any of the 30 actions are not relevant or possible in your space, simply prioritize other actions in the checklist. You only need to do 20 of the 30 actions to earn certification, so there should be plenty of other improvements that would make sense for you. If, after reviewing the actions, you feel like more than 10 of them would not be applicable, please email [email protected] for advice on how to proceed.

What are badges?

Awarding badges after certification encourages Green Workplaces to keep pursuing sustainability improvements beyond the “low-hanging fruit.” Each time a Green Team can implement five additional actions that relate to a single theme, they earn a badge for that topic. 

For example, if a workplace wanted to tackle sustainability in their kitchen or breakroom, the team could: 1) go k-cup free, 2) bring in some reusable dishware, 3) add a small compost bin for food scraps, 4) run a communication campaign on plant-based diets, and 5) set a “No Styrofoam” expectation in the workplace. 

The Office for Sustainability has resources and funding to support many of these ideas and would love to award a badge for any set of five cohesive, impactful sustainability actions.

How long does the certification last?

UVA’s Green Workplace Certification does not technically expire, but we encourage workplaces to remain active by either re-certifying every three years or earning at least one badge each year. We also recommend re-certifying if a workplace moves to a new physical area or undergoes significant restructuring of staff.

Questions? 

Green Workplace Resources