Sustainable offices

Sustainable Offices

Overview

The Sustainability Office, along with Facilities & Services, consulted with U of T students, departments, faculty and staff to create a comprehensive guide with the tools needed to create a more sustainable office environment.

The certification form is divided into seven sections:

  1. Energy conservation
  2. Waste management
  3. Meetings
  4. Food and dining
  5. Transportation
  6. Procurement
  7. Innovation and culture

Who can certify

The certification is intended to be completed by U of T staff and faculty.  Participants can certify their workspace up to a full department (that is, individual workspace, team, division, floor or department).

Certification levels

Bronze: 20–45% of available points scored

Silver: 46–65% of available points scored

Gold: 66–84% of available points scored

Platinum: 85% + of available points scored

Ready to get certified?

Reviewed the steps above? Begin the process of certifying your office or check out the leaderboard to see how others have performed!

Get certified
View leaderboard

Program highlights

Getting started

Before starting the certification form, review the program highlights for recommended actions.

Need more information on how to make your office more sustainable? Check out the resources for information on best practices and tips.

  • Computers are set at low power mode
  • Computers, multi-outlet strips and electronics are shut off and/or unplugged at the end of the day
  • Station and overhead lights are turned off in rooms not in use/at the end of the day
  • E-waste and cartridges are collected for proper disposal
  • Waste and recycling bins in the office area are clearly labelled
  • Carpool schedules have been created and are used
  • Meeting items are emailed instead of printed
  • Attendees encouraged to bring laptops and tablets
  • Mugs/cups are provided, or attendees are asked to bring their own for water/tea/coffee
  • Virtual meetings are considered when transportation is involved
  • Dinnerware, flatware and drinkware are available for use
  • Fridge/freezer clean-outs are conducted annually
  • Food items (coffee, sugar) are local or fair trade certified
  • FSC-certified paper or other post-consumer paper products are purchased
  • Inventory is managed to avoid over-purchasing
  • Plastic material purchases are minimized
  • Lifecycle is considered when purchasing items

Resources

Office best practices

  • Email the agenda and documents prior to the meeting.
  • Encourage participants to bring laptops or tablets to view meeting documents.
  • Provide mugs/cups, or ask attendees to bring their own for water/tea/coffee.
  • Hold meetings in rooms with natural lighting.
  • Consider virtual meetings if travel is required.
  • Create a shutdown checklist for end-of-day, weekends, and holidays.
  • Review sustainability initiatives with upper management.
  • Educate employees on proper disposal to prevent bin contamination.
  • Ensure bins are clearly labelled and in centralized areas.
  • Replace paper coffee filters with reusable metal mesh filters and switch to large bulk quantities.
  • Encourage staff to bring reusable flatware and dinnerware.
  • Set the default printing to double-sided.
  • Purchase vegetable or soy-based inks and FSC-certified paper in bulk.
  • Tightly shut all windows and lower the room temperature at the end of the day.
  • Set Ecosia as a default search engine.
  • Organize carpool schedules.
  • Create a sustainability leaderboard to showcase employee initiatives.

Useful links

Coffee pod takeback programs

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a ‘blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.’ The SDGs were established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.

Certification form

Get certified!

Ready to get your office certified? Follow these easy steps!

  1. Review the program overview, highlights and resources information.
  2. Select the ‘Get Certified’ button below.
  3. Sign in using your UTORid to launch the certification form and follow the instructions.
  4. Submit the form and await review and confirmation from the Sustainability Office.
  5. Receive your certificate package (certificate, badge/ribbon and quick resource guide).
  6. Review your results and program resources to improve your score next year!

Please complete the form in one session, as the form cannot be saved partway. We recommend you use a laptop or desktop to complete the form.

Certification is valid for one year, and the program will be updated and improved annually to ensure alignment with sustainability best practices.

Get certified
Sustainable courses
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