Green Office

Overview

The Green Office program is a way for staff and faculty to be a part of the change they want to see at the University of Waterloo. Participants can: 

• Learn new skills
• Build relationships across campus
• Make a positive impact on campus sustainability
• Achieve certification for your department

The program was piloted from January through September of 2016 to evaluate successes, challenges, and resources required. The Green Office Overview (PDF) is available for download.

How it works

The Green Office program is grassroots-driven. It supports ambassadors from each participating department to walk through five steps to improve the sustainability of their office space:

1. GO Ambassador: this step empowers department champions
2. GO Check: ambassadors evaluate current practices
3. GO Pledge: members of the department complete a participation pledge
4. GO Action: ambassadors implement new practices in their department
5. GO Awesome: departments receive recognition for their efforts

Ambassadors can access the following tools to help them make these changes:

1. Ambassador network: Events and a discussion board with like-minded champions from across campus who are also supporting efforts in their own areas. 
2. Resource toolkit: A set of templates, best-practice guides, and communication materials.
3. Recognition: A common scorecard to help identify new project opportunities and receive a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum designation for your office.
4. Support structures: the Sustainability Office will provide resources, check-ins, and trainings to tackle action items.

Leaderboard

As of November 2022:

1. Dean of Environment Office (139 points)
2. Centre for Teaching Excellence (133 points)
3. Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Programs (132 points)

Certified departments

As of November 2022:

The following departments are participating in the Green Office program and have received certification under the Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze designation. They are listed in alphabetical order in each category, with the number of employees included in brackets.

You can explore individual scorecard submissions in the chart below by using the Department and Year filters.