Earlier this year, Chris Turner, director of operations in the Office of Economic Partnerships, helped to shepherd his team through the process of being certified as green by the Office of Sustainability.

Together, he and colleagues completed a questionnaire, then made a few changes around the office that would make them more sustainable. “We’re now recycling our Keurig pods. We’re no longer using disposable plastic water bottles. We have a water tank,” said Turner.

Small changes, perhaps. And with five employees, one might call his office small, as well. “But everybody and every little bit counts,” he said.

Complete your department self-assessment by Dec. 15

Faculty and staff can help advance Pitt’s culture of sustainability by pursuing a Pitt Green Office or Green Laboratory designation for their office, department or division. Participants earn points by completing a self-assessment of current actions, building up to earning one of three Pitt Green levels of recognition.

“The Pitt Green Office and Green Lab designations are an opportunity for every workplace within the University to engage in and positively contribute to the culture of sustainability at Pitt,” said Aurora Sharrard, director of sustainability.

Green certified offices and labs receive:

• A door/window decal recognizing you as a University of Pittsburgh Green Office for the designated year.
• A plaque/certificate recognizing you as a Green Office for the designated year.
• Recognition on the Pitt Sustainability Website.
• Recognition at an annual Pitt Green recognition event.

Self-assessments must be completed by Dec. 15 to receive certification for 2019. Read more about the assessment and complete it online.

“Whether related to purchasing, energy, waste, printing or events, every decision we individually and collectively make is important,” said Sharrard. “Let the Pitt Green designation be your guide on how to infuse the tenets of sustainability into your everyday work at Pitt.”

Read more about University sustainability initiatives.