Join your colleagues and Get Green Office Certified!

As Kermit the Frog famously laments, it’s not easy being green. But – when you have the support of your colleagues behind you – it’s a whole lot easier.

That’s why many College of Charleston units are going through the Center for Sustainable Development‘s Green Office Certification Program, working together to building productive workspaces and mindsets and that work toward conserving energy, resources and money.

The program assesses College of Charleston offices using an office checklist of action items, a self-assessment survey taken by participants in the office and a waste audit that looks at the office’s use of and policies regarding, among other things, the following:

• dishware and food – Are zero-waste events requested when available? Have orders for plastic water bottles and Styrofoam cups stopped?
• paper and office supplies – Is double-sided printing set as default on computers? Is it policy to check Central Stores before purchasing new furniture/equipment?
• recycling – Are recycling bins available and clearly labeled? Are specialty recycling bins available in a common area?

Offices can achieve a bronze, silver, gold or platinum ranking and have the opportunity to improve their Green Office status. Of course, Green Offices require the commitment from all of their employees – so each and every individual must do their part. But, with the Green Office

But, with the Green Office Certification Program, you don’t have to go it alone! Find out how to join forces with your colleagues and make the College a more sustainable place to work!

What is Green Office Certification?

Established to support the College of Charleston’s campus sustainability goals, the Green Office Certification Program provides faculty and staff with the knowledge and resources to integrate social inclusion and environmental consciousness within working spaces. This program recognizes offices for achievements in different forms of sustainability and provides the tools and resources to help offices improve.

Why become a Green Office?

By joining the Green Office Certification Program, offices build productive workspaces and mindsets; work toward conserving energy, resources and money; and contribute to campus sustainability goals to be Carbon Neutral by 2050 and Zero Waste by 2035.

How are offices evaluated for Green Office certification?

Through the certification process, offices are evaluated based on their actions and commitment to sustainability on campus. The five areas of assessment are:

• Circular Economy
• Climate Resilience
• Accessibility and Inclusion
• Active Sustainability Culture
• Sustaining YOU

How can my office get certified?

1. Identify a sustainability ambassador to serve as the point of contact between your office and the Center for Sustainable Development. Submit an interest form.
2. Schedule an introductory meeting with the Green Office intern, who will briefly review the program and assessment tools with your office staff. 
3. Complete the Green Office Checklist. Your sustainability ambassador will complete the Green Office Checklist and consult with the Green Office intern with any questions or clarifications.
4. Get certified! The sustainability ambassador will receive the assessment results. Offices will receive recognition and set goals for improvement.
5. Get re-certified! This is required every three years. Offices can also get re-certified at any time before that to improve their Green Office status. 

Which CofC units are certified Green Offices?

Several units on campus are in the process of certification and/or re-certification. Here are the current rankings of Green Office certified offices.

Bronze

• Charleston Culinary Group

Silver

• Office of the Provost
• Master of Business Administration Program
• Department of International Studies
• School of Business – Office of the Dean
• Department of Psychology

Gold

• Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art
• Charleston LIFE Program
• Department of Hispanic Studies
• Campus Services HQ
• Campus Services – 40 Coming

Platinum

• Center for Sustainable Development
• Facilities Management
• Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
• Office of Community Engagement
• Master of Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program
• Environmental and Sustainability Studies Undergraduate Program
• Department of Mathematics
• Academic Advising and Planning Center
• The Riley Center/Master of Public Administration Program
• Department of Biology
• School of Natural and Environmental Sciences – Office of the Dean
• Grice Marine Lab

Where can I get more information?

Visit the Center for Sustainability on The Hub!