Department in Duke Hospital Earns Certification

Acute Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy has achieved the Duke Green Workplace Certification, bringing the total to 48 certified workplaces and over 1,100 staff working in certified workplaces at Duke.  The Green Workplace Certification recognizes work areas that formally assess how they are reducing their environmental footprint.

The department earned certification for 20 staff by completing 42 out of 58 items on the certification checklist. Sustainable initiatives include encouraging alternative transportation, using reusable water bottles, minimizing printing, and seeking local and organic food options for events.  Staff from the department collect alkaline batteries from pagers, toys, and other electronics from the entire Physical and Occupational Therapy department and recycle them at Whole Foods in Chapel Hill, NC.

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.