Office of Counsel is a Green Workplace

Duke Office of Counsel is the eighth group to earn the Duke Green Workplace Certification.  The Green Workplace Certification recognizes work areas that formally assess how they are reducing their environmental footprint. Office of Counsel achieved 40 items out of 57 possible items on a checklist that measures workplace sustainability. 

Sustainable practices in the Office of Counsel include turning off overhead lights and using desk lamps with efficient CFL bulbs when possible, purchasing recycled content paper and office supplies, cancelling junk mail, and using electronic documents and communications instead of printing. They educate new staff about the environmental practices of their office and have inspired another group at Duke to pursue the Green Workplace Certification.

Additional points were awarded for creative actions taken by the workplace, which has purchased sufficient dishware and silverware such that they do not need any disposable items for office events.  The office also composts their coffee grounds.

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 57 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.