Sustainable Office Habits:

• I explain sustainable office habits with new employees during on-boarding.
• I include an “only print if necessary” message in my email footer.
• I share energy-efficient printers and use tools like Find-Me Cloud Printing and vPrint Wireless Printing.
• I save my work often to UTRGV-approved cloud storage services like OneDrive for my digital safety.
• I use smart power strips to power down devices that are not being used and to protect against voltage spikes.
• I set electronics to enter energy-saving modes. I turn my computer off only when instructed to, such as over long holidays. (Some computers must be on 24/7 for security updates to be installed automatically.)
• I do not eat or drink around computers or printers to ensure the continued functionality of equipment.
• I turn off lights when the room is not in use and have reminder signs by the light switches.
• I allow natural lighting to help illuminate the room or operate under low lighting if it allows occupants to work comfortably and safely. (Natural daylight has been shown to reduce stress and promote human health and potential.)

Sustainable Printing:

• I only print what is necessary to conserve supplies and natural resources.
• I share digital versions of “handouts” instead of printing them for the group.
• I share energy-efficient printers and use tools like Find-Me Cloud Printing and vPrint Wireless Printing.
• I check that office and computer printer settings are set to double-sided, black and white. 

Sustainable Office Supply Purchasing:

• I purchase items whose chain of production involves processes that are not harmful to people, animals, or the environment. I purchase from companies with a stated goal of reducing their negative environmental and social impacts as much as possible.
• I purchase electronics that are certified for their sustainability. All desktop and laptop computer systems purchased from Dell are Energy Star certified and Apple electronics are Energy Smart certified; this reduces energy consumption by as much as 78%. UTRGV’s Dell computers are also certified Gold by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
• I look for surplus resources within UTRGV instead of purchasing new furniture or electronics.
• Our lab purchases products with reduced toxic or hazardous chemicals, including office supplies such as screen cleaners and ink.
• I purchase and use printer paper that is Forest Stewardship Council(FCS)-Certi ed or recycled. (Look for the “Green” or “Recycled” icon on iShop.

Sustainable Office Waste Management: 

• I explore options for reuse of unwanted office items. All computers and furniture replaced by new ones are collected by UTRGV’s surplus department to be used elsewhere on campus, or donated/recycled.
• I contact UTRGV’s IT department to securely erase data from hard drives and other storage media before contacting surplus.
• I recycle used toner and ink cartridges safely by submitting a pickup request to waste@utrgv.edu.
• I re-purpose misprinted documents as scratch paper, or place them in the recycling bin rather than trash.

Download a printable checklist to post in your office!