Create a greener workspace: Complete the Green Office Certification

From: Division of Facilities 

Strive to create a more sustainable office space this year by completing the Green Office Certification! The Office of Sustainability has partnered with students in the Honors Service Learning course within the Virginia Tech Honors College to host the Green Office Certification program. The program gives faculty, staff, and students the tools they need to work in more sustainable office areas.

By participating, you will help work toward the Climate Action Commitment and contribute toward the university’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) rating while saving money and resources for your office. You will also lead by example and inspire sustainable behavior change in your colleagues’ everyday lives. As a Green Office Representative, you will be added to a growing network of campus sustainability champions.

How it works

Each office will identify a Green Representative who will complete a training session through the Office of Sustainability. In this training, they will gain the skills and knowledge to create a greener workplace. Once the Green Representative completes the training, they will unlock the Green Office Certification tool and work with colleagues to complete sustainability criteria over the course of the semester. Offices are scored in the following categories: Events and Meetings, Energy, Recycling and Waste Reduction, Purchasing, Transportation, and Innovation.

Once you've worked through the certification tool, your office will receive:

• A digital certificate outlining your certification status (bronze, silver, gold, or platinum) to print and hang in a common area

• Acknowledgement of your certification level on the Green Office webpage

• Ongoing support to maintain and advance your Green Office status

• Access to network of Green Representatives from across the university 

Get involved

If you are interested in becoming your office’s Green Representative, you will need to complete a short training session. To learn more, contact sustainability@vt.edu. If you are working remotely, but would still like to participate, please let us know. The Office of Sustainability can support you in greening your home office too.