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Eight new offices at Western Washington University have achieved sustainable office certification from the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Office of Sustainability, bringing the total to 25 offices out of 137 university-wide, or 18 percent of all campus administrative, clerical, services and operations offices.

Departments recognized at a ceremony Feb. 5 on campus were Public Safety, Map Collection, Tutoring Center, Environmental Sciences, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Everett University Center, Biology Stockroom, Human Resources, Huxley College Office of the Dean and Woodring College Office of the Dean.

Ceremony attendees had the opportunity to learn more about Western’s sustainability actions, including energy conservation. Staff from the Green Energy Fee Grant Program, Western’s Energy Management Team, and Western Gallery answered questions about campus energy-conservation projects. Attendees tested Belkin watt-meters and energy-saving switches available to SOC offices and departments and participated in a guided tour of Western’s Steam Plant, a noted regional example of energy-efficient district heating. The Western Gallery lighting system was recently re-fitted to all LED lamps, resulting in annual energy savings of 89 percent.

Sustainable Office Certification reduces costs, protects the environment, conserves resources and promotes fairness, safety and health. The program supports actions and provides a simple way of measuring efforts that happen at the office level. Volunteer department conservation coordinators facilitate the certification process in their work area, with support from Directors and Supervisors. Participating Offices are recognized for their level of achievement, as a way of showing recognition and appreciation for measurement of work well done.

Participating offices use web-based information and interactive materials, and receive tools and support from the Office of Sustainability. Administrative units responsible for clerical, managerial, professional, and/or executive business are eligible for certification.
Western’s program is inspired by other universities with notable campus sustainability programs, including Harvard, University of British Columbia, UCLA, and University of Oregon.

To learn more about Sustainable Office Certification, Green office tools and actions, , or contact Carol Berry, ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Campus Conservation program manager, carol.berry@wwu.edu.