The Green Office Program, coordinated by Office of Sustainability, has been awarding offices and departments around campus with sustainable certification for the past six years. As offices perform more sustainable actions, they move up through the different levels of certification—starting at Bronze and then working their way up to Silver then Gold. Over fourteen offices are currently Gold certified with more offices joining them every month.
Now, offices can officially receive Platinum certification. Green Offices that have been Gold-certified for at least two years and have performed actions that go above and beyond can attain Platinum status. These offices have gone out of their way to truly embed sustainability into office culture and Platinum was created to recognize these offices and their achievements. Since Platinum certification was established in fall 2018, six Green Offices have achieved the new level of certification. The Center for Young Children and the University Recreation & Wellness offices were the first to achieve the Platinum level, followed shortly after by the Denton Community office and most recently the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Office of Student Conduct, and the Support Group for Dining Services.
Becoming Platinum isn’t easy, and it’s important to recognize those that are taking extra steps to be green. The University Recreation and Wellness offices are being recognized for their commitment to re-use items, from reupholstering furniture to painting and freshening up old trash bins. The Center for Young Children is a certified Maryland Green School and has incorporated a “Trash-free Tuesdays” lunch in order to minimize waste.
"It is most exciting to see that being a Green Office has spread way beyond our office to the children we teach, their parents, and our student aides,” said Vera Wiest, teacher, Center for Young Children. “Our office members also take the spirit and actions home with them to their families."
The Denton Community office has created sustainability themed programing kits with upcycled materials to be used for sustainable events with students. These are just some examples of offices that are going the extra mile, and it will be exciting to hear what the next Platinum offices have in store.
If your office is interested in becoming Platinum, please email greenoffice@umd.edu and let us know how you qualify.
Platinum offices only need to recertify every two years, not to mention, you will receive a trophy made from recycled wood!
By Sara Abramson, Green Office Assistant, Office of Sustainability