Six New Workplaces Earn Green Workplace Certification

Six new workplaces have achieved Duke Green Workplace Certification. Many of the certifications were earned as part of the Battle of the Schools Competition. The Green Workplace Certification recognizes work areas that formally assess how they are reducing their environmental footprint. There are now 59 certified workplaces and over 1,350 staff working in certified workplaces at Duke.

Each of the six newly certified workplaces have made significant strides in conserving water and energy, as well as reducing waste.  A unique sustainability action submitted by each workplace is highlighted below.

Continuing Studies completed 42/58 items on the checklist, earning certification for 26 staff members.  Continuing studies incorporates sustainability into their course offerings.  For instance, they offer a noncredit, online Sustainable Community Development certificate to support global awareness for sustainability issues. The department's online and hybrid courses reduce the impact of unnecessary travel to campus.Biology Phytotron earned certification for 9 staff members by completing 41/58 checklist items.  Recently, department staff organized the replacement of 1980's lighting systems in eight Phytotron growth chambers with a new ceramic metal halide lamp system. The payback period in energy cost savings was calculated to be 15 months.

Nicholas School of the Environment External Affairs achieved 44 items on the checklist, certifying 9 staff members.   The department has established ongoing structures to analyze sustainability behaviors, including a paper reduction committee, which meets monthly to talk about ways to further reduce waste in the workplace.

The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has 75 staff members and completed 41/58 checklist items.  The department faced unique challenges in achieving the Green Workplace Certification because they are a critical care unit in the health system, not an office space in the traditional sense. The unit is equipped with motion censored lights and staff have changed policies to reduce waste from the use of gowns.  Staff also purchased mugs, dishes, drying rack, dish detergent, and a coffee pot with reusable filter for use by all staff.

The Thompson Writing Program completed 40 items on the checklist on behalf of 59 staff members.  Many faculty members within the Thompson Writing Program have earned Green Classroom Certification for their courses, some of which also have a sustainability focus to their content.  The department also recycles all Flavia coffee packs through the TerraCycle program.

The Program in Education/Service-Learning has 19 staff members and completed 43/58 items on the checklist. The office has formed a Green Team that will send weekly tips to help employees keep and enhance their commitments to being green. Duke Service-Learning supports several sustainability-themed courses across the university, including ENV 245: Sustainability Theory & Practice, taught by Charlotte Clark in the Nicholas School and Tavey Capps, director of Sustainable Duke. The department encourages alternative transportation and allows telecommuting when appropriate.

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.