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Career Center is a Certified Green Workplace

66 workplaces including over 1,500 staff are currently certified

Duke University's Career Center earned Duke Green Workplace Certification in July, bringing the total to 66 certified green workplaces on campus including 1,500 staff. The Green Workplace Certification recognizes work areas that formally assess how they are reducing their environmental footprint.

The Career Center earned certification for 20 staff members by completing 44 out of 58 items on the checklist. Career Center staff are making sustainability fun for their peers, including a green kickoff celebration with local food, reusable dishware, and "sustainable Pictionary".  They are also incorporating sustainability education, such as inviting Duke's Waste Reduction & Recycling Coordinator, Arwen Buchholz, to speak at a staff meeting about recycling.

The department also uses energy saving modes on electronics and turns electronics off overnight.  They purchase Energy Star appliances and recycled content paper, as well as review options at Duke's Surplus Program when they are in need of furniture or other items for the workplace.  Staff are encouraged to use alternative modes of transportation and to use technology like video conferencing rather than travel when possible.

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.