Green Office Certification

The Spartan Green Office Certification recognizes units at MSU that are taking steps to embrace sustainability throughout their work practices. The certification is a self-reporting assessment that assesses actions relating to energy, transportation, health and well-being, food and beverages, purchasing, waste management and fostering a sustainable culture. The certification is open to any MSU unit, including those located beyond MSU’s main East Lansing campus.

How it Works

1. Identify a coordinator to submit the certification
2. Preview the checklist and identify the unit’s sustainable practices [see resources below]
3. Discuss the certification with the unit; at least 75% of employees must commit to following the actions selected in the certification program.
4. Fill out and submit the online form
5. Receive certification

We encourage units to further their sustainable commitments by exploring additional actions that could be implemented in the workplace.

Get Certified

The pilot version of the program is currently available.

Complete the certification form

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Resources

Refer to the following optional resources when completing the Spartan Green Office Certification.

Spartan Green Office Checklist Preview [2 pages, PDF]
Use for a quick look at sustainable practices and commitments included in the checklist.

Spartan Green Office Certification Workbook [6 pages, editable Word document]
Use to help document sustainable practices and commitments of the unit. Includes a full preview of the entire online submission form for the certification.

• 25 actions to kick start your certification

  These 25 actions in the Spartan Green Office Certification program are a great place to start to incorporate sustainable actions in the workplace. If you have already gone through certification process and are just short of a certain certification level, review this list and see if there are some additional, easy to implement actions that your unit will adopt.  

  Culture

  1. All employees have taken the MSU Sustainability Pledge 
  2. The unit follows the Office of Sustainability on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram.
  3. Subscribe to the MSU Sustainability newsletter 
  4. Identify the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal(s) that most relate to the work of the unit.
  5. Encourage and support employees in attending a sustainability event at least once per year. Find events here.
  6. Inspire another office to pursue the Green Office Certification program.
  7. All employees have attended at least one diversity, equity, and inclusion training or event opportunity.

  Energy

  1. Turn off lights (if safe) in unoccupied areas.
  2. Turn off electronics when not in use.
  3. Use power strips at workstations and turn them off over weekends and breaks. Tip: Appoint a person who is responsible for shutting down non-computer electronics/appliances over weekends and holiday breaks.
  4. Enable energy-saving power management settings on computers and other electronic equipment (e.g., copy machines).
  5. Utilize natural day lighting when possible
  6. Keep windows closed when AC or heat is running.
  7. Use blinds/shades in each office to prevent excess heating/cooling.
  8. Send an email to employees before holidays and breaks containing an energy and water saving checklist. Here is a template you can use.  

  Food & Beverage

  1. Encourage employees to bring beverages and food in reusable containers.
  2. Include at least one vegetarian or vegan option at all events or meetings where food is offered. 

  Health

  1. Encourage employees to take breaks and take a full lunch break.
  2. Encourage employee participation in MSU health and well-being programming and services.
     Health4U
     Employee Assistance Program
     Recreational Sports and Fitness Services
     SPARTANfit Fitness & Wellness Program
     Exercise is Medicine on Campus Initiative
     WorkLife Office
     MSU Extension

   

  Transportation

  1. Encourage and use sustainable transportations options available on campus and for commuting, including: walking, bicycling, public transportation, and rideshares.

  Waste

  1. Have at least one designated Waste Warrior in the unit.
  2. Ensure all common areas have a recycling station that is properly labeled and includes signage for proper disposal. You can order recycling bins and signage from the Surplus Store and Recycling Center and stay informed of recycling offerings with the campus recycling guide. 
  3. Designate an area for sharing office supplies that can be reused (e.g., folders, binders, scrap paper, pens).
  4. Set all computers and printers to print double sided.
  5. Distribute electronic versions of documents and avoid paper copies when possible.
• Foster a Sustainable Culture
  • MSU Sustainability Pledge
  • MSU Sustainability Facebook
  • MSU Sustainability Twitter
  • MSU Sustainability Instagram
  • MSU Sustainability Newsletter
  • MSU Sustainability Events
  • MSU Recycling Station Signage
  • Sustainable Development Goals
  • Spartan Serve
  • Global Day of Service
  • Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives Education Opportunities
  • Sustainable Services and Departments at MSU
• Energy and Water
  • Energy Star Rated Products
  • Energy Star - Power Management Settings
  • Energy Star - LEDs
  • Energy Star – Energy Savings and Refrigerators
  • Energy and Water Saving Checklist for Breaks
  • IPF Service Requests | Call or text 517-353-1760 for immediate issues.

   Additional Tips

  • Appoint a person who is responsible for shutting down non-computer electronics/appliances over weekends and holiday breaks.
  • Contact IT for assistance if changing power management settings on electronic devices requires administrative rights.
• Transportation
  • Sustainable Transportation Options at MSU
  • Michigan Flyer
• Health
  • Health4U
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Recreational Sports and Fitness Services
  • SPARTANfit Fitness & Wellness Program
  • Exercise is Medicine on Campus Initiative
  • WorkLife Office
  • MSU Extension
  • MSU Ergonomics Resource
  • Benefits of Indoor Plants
• Food and Beverage
  Purchase sustainable food products at MSU:

  • MSU Student Organic Farm
  • MSU Meat Lab (purchase through Surplus Store)  
  • MSU Dairy Store
  • Land Grant Goods

  Composting at MSU

  • For additional information on recycling and composting services, contact the Surplus Store and Recycling Center at recycle@msu.edu.
• Purchasing
  MSU Resources

  • MSU Surplus Store
  • MSU Community Reuse Page
  • Resource Guide for Sustainable Giveaways

  Sustainable Product Certifications

  • Forest Stewardship Council Certification
  • Sustainable Forestry Initiative
  • EPA Safer Choice
  • Green Seal
  • EcoLogo
  • Energy Star
  • EPEAT
  • Greenguard Certification
  • Cradle to Cradle

  Additional Tips
  

  • Purchase Boise Aspen 100 paper (100% post-consumer recycled content, chlorine free. Catalog Item #: 14054080)
• Waste
  • Waste Warrior Program
  • Campus Recycling Guide
  • Order recycling bins
  • Order recycling signs
  • Order mini-landfill baskets
  • MSU Recycling Station Signage

   

  Additional Tips: 

  • Keep a stack of previously used paper near printers to be made into notepads, used for scratch paper or internal memos, or loaded into a designated bypass tray in the printer for printing internal or draft single-sided documents
  • If you receive unwanted catalogs, call the organization's customer service number and request that your office be removed from their mailing list.
  • For additional information on recycling and composting services, contact the Surplus Store and Recycling Center at recycle@msu.edu.