Academic Advising Center is a Green Workplace

The Academic Advising Center has achieved Duke Green Workplace Certification. The Green Workplace Certification recognizes work areas that formally assess how they are reducing their environmental footprint. There are now 53 certified workplaces and over 1,100 staff working in certified workplaces at Duke.

The department achieved 41 of 58 items on the checklist and earned certification for 15 staff members.  The Academic Advising Center has made significant strides in reducing their waste by eliminating disposables.  Staff switched to proving compostable lunches for their advising luncheons. The department provided all advisors with reusable aluminum water bottles and ended purchasing of plastic water bottles. 

In addition to achieving every item in the "Waste Reduction" category of the Duke Green Workplace checklist, the Academic Advising Center also earned credit for every item in the "Recycling and Reuse" category.  Their efforts include desk-side recycling bins to make recycling convenient, recycling ink cartridges and electronic waste, as well as using interoffice envelopes. 

Duke's Office of Sustainability administers the Duke Green Workplace Certification, which begins when a representative from a work area attends the free "Leading for Environmental Sustainability" workshop. As part of the workshop, participants receive a checklist of sustainable practices ranging from double-sided printing to using eco-friendly dishwashing soap in a break room. A work area that can demonstrate it follows at least 40 of the checklist's 58 items can apply for certification and permission to post the Duke Green Workplace seal in its office and on materials.

View a complete list of certified offices and the actions they completed to earn certification.