Sustainable Workplaces

Sustainable Practices for Office Equipment

1. Unplug Unused Electronics: Unplug devices not in use or use a smart power strip that cuts electricity to idle devices automatically.
2. Power Down: Turn off electronic devices at the end of the day.
3. Share Equipment: Share office equipment like printers, copiers, scanners, coffeemakers and refrigerators with co-workers.
4. Use Sleep Mode: Replace screen savers with settings that turn monitors to sleep mode after 3 minutes of inactivity. Set hard drives, printers, copiers and scanners to enter sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity.
5. Optimize Lighting: Turn off lights when not in use and utilize natural lighting whenever possible.

Sustainable Practices for Indoor Air

1. Optimize Thermostat Settings: Set thermostats to 68-71°F for heating and 72-75°F for cooling to save energy.
2. Maintain Indoor Temperature: Keep doors and windows closed when heating or cooling indoor air.
3. Dress Appropriately: Wear extra clothing layers instead of using space heaters if the office is too cold.
4. Improve Air Quality: Minimize the use of artificial fragrances and add leafy plants to the office space.

Sustainable Practices to Minimize Water Use

1. Turn Off Taps: Avoid letting water faucets run unnecessarily.
2. Report Leaks: Report drips and leaks to your building liaison or Facilities Customer Service Center at 919-515-2991 to minimize water waste.

Limiting Office Product Consumption

1. Borrow Instead of Buy: Rent, share or borrow items when possible instead of purchasing new ones.
2. Reduce Cartridge Clutter: Use recycled or refillable toner cartridges to save money and resources.
3. Shop Savvy: Visit Waste Reduction and Recycling and attend NC State Surplus Sales for gently-used office supplies instead of buying new products.

Promoting Sustainable Purchasing Habits

1. Do Your Homework: Research the environmental and social responsibility features of products before purchasing.
2. Seal of Approval: Look for sustainability certifications such as Forest Stewardship Council, Green Seal, GreenGuard, Cradle to Cradle, Energy Star or EPEAT.
3. Make it Easy: Use the online MarketPlace system for ordering and reduce paper-based purchase orders.
4. Buy Local: Support a sustainable economy by purchasing from locally-owned businesses.
5. Think Ahead: Choose reusable, recyclable, compostable products or those with high post-consumer recycled content.
6. Buy in Bulk: Minimize packaging by purchasing in bulk or choosing items with minimal packaging.

Encouraging Local Food Sourcing

1. Eat Local: Share information about the benefits of choosing local products.
2. My Roots are at NC State: Ensure employees are aware of on-campus food options and NC State Dining’s commitment to sustainability.
3. Cater Better: Discuss opportunities for sustainable choices, such as using reusable or compostable items, with caterers for office events.

Promoting Alternative Transportation

1. Carpooling: Carpool with fellow university employees or use Share the Ride NC.
2. Employee Commuter Benefits: Share information about available commuter benefits.
3. Electric Vehicle Charging: Share information about electric vehicle charging stations and their availability on campus.

Sustainable Alternatives to Workplace Travel

1. Campus Bus Systems: Use the Wolfline bus system for transport around campus and the GoRaleigh system for transport around Raleigh and neighboring cities.
2. Bicycling: Share information about bicycling to and around campus, including free registration and bike racks.
3. Walking Meetings: Walk to campus meetings or integrate walking meetings into office practices.
4. Virtual Meetings: Utilize virtual meetings where appropriate to minimize transportation energy use.
5. Group Travel: Use group travel for meetings requiring multi-occupant transportation with NC State Fleet Services.

Encouraging Waste Reduction Practices

1. Recycling:
   • Educate employees on accepted recyclables and proper recycling methods on campus.
   • Provide deskside recycling bins for self-service recycling.
   • Ensure shredded paper is bagged and placed outside next to the blue recycling dumpsters.
   • Use yellow electronics recycling carts located outside each building on campus.
   • Request a site evaluation from Waste Reduction and Recycling to review and optimize workplace bins.
   • Strive to become a Zero Waste Workplace by optimizing bin efficiency and adding composting for food waste and paper towels.

Promoting Sustainable Printing/Paper Use Practices

1. Print Less: Share electronic files instead of printing documents when possible.
2. Double Up: Print double-sided when possible and use one-sided sheets for note-taking that would have otherwise been recycled prematurely.

Strategies for Office Waste Reduction

1. Dump the Junk: Reduce junk mail by sending it to Unwanted Mail, Campus Box 7540.
2. Pass it On: When cleaning out unwanted office items, ask coworkers if they could use them. If not, request a reusable office supply cart from Waste Reduction and Recycling.
3. Clean it Out: For office moves or cleanouts, do not overload shared recycling bins. Instead, request clean out carts from Waste Reduction and Recycling.
4. Learn at Lunch: Request a waste and recycling presentation to learn more about campus waste diversion tactics, including recycling, composting, and zero waste.

Minimizing Food and Food-Related Waste

1. Bring Your Own: Use a reusable bag when shopping and bring your own reusable mug, water bottle, cup, dishes, and eating utensils to work.
2. Pack & Go: Utilize NC State Dining’s reusable to-go containers at dining halls.
3. Wolfpack Certified Sustainable: Incorporate sustainable event planning tips from the Sustainable Event Certification program when hosting workplace events.
4. Go for Zero: Request recycling and compost event bins to achieve a zero waste event.
5. Choose to Reuse: Utilize reusable items such as cups, plates, and utensils when planning events. If disposable items are necessary, choose compostable single-use items from Waste Reduction & Recycling.
6. Waste Less: Minimize food waste at workplace events with appropriate food planning. Provide take-home containers for leftovers and/or have a food-donation option ready.

Connect to Wolfpack Wellness

1. Emotional Well-Being:
   • Share information and resources regarding stress, time and sleep management.
   • Provide employees with information about the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Programs.
2. Healthy Eating:
   • Share information on the benefits and guidelines of healthy eating.
   • Provide healthy food and drink options (e.g., vegetables, fruit, water) at meetings, conferences and special events.
   • Encourage healthy eating habits by informing employees of health guidance resources such as Wolf Approved.
3. Work-Life Balance:
   • Leadership demonstrates an understanding and commitment to work-life balance.
   • Encourage employees to take breaks throughout the day to recharge.
   • Provide information about the Learning & Organizational Development Center.
   • Disseminate information from the Office of Equal Opportunity and take steps to ensure an inclusive and supportive environment.
   • Provide information regarding Staff or Faculty Senate.
4. Physical Activity:
   • Disseminate information or engage employees with physical activity tips and benefits.
   • Make active workspace tools such as standing desks or active sitting balls available to all employees.
   • Engage in office walking challenges or other fitness activities.
5. Wellness Champions:
   • Ensure there is at least one Wolfpack Wellness Champion in your workplace.
   • Strive for your workplace to be Well Wolfpack Certified.

Fostering Community Stewardship

1. Volunteer Service:
   • Remind and encourage employees to utilize the 24 hours of annual volunteer community service leave given to NC State employees.
2. Group Events:
   • Encourage attendance and engage with campus community centers, including:
     • Women’s Center
     • LGBTQ Pride Center
     • African American Cultural Center
     • Multicultural Student Affairs
   • Promote resources from the Office of Equal Opportunity

Raising Sustainability Awareness

1. Stay Informed:
   • Subscribe to the Sustainability at NC State e-newsletter.
   • Set aside time in meetings to take the Sustainability Orientation module on REPORTER.
2. Encourage Participation:
   • Incentivize organization and participation in workplace sustainability competitions to encourage reduced use of paper, plastic, gasoline, water, energy, etc.

Engaging Employees in Sustainability

1. Sustainability Initiatives:
   • Discuss sustainability initiatives, including the campus Sustainable Events Certification and Sustainability Partners.
   • Communicate sustainability-related commitments and goals.
   • Share sustainability-related news and research on campus and beyond.