An office building's journey to resource conservation

Green, greener, greenest… An office building's journey to resource conservation

People in University Hall have surprised themselves with the success of their conservation efforts.

"Before we ever knew it, dual flush toilets and green cleaning supplies were ‘in’,” says Johannah Shinner, executive assistant to Brett Sweet, dean for administration and finance in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS).

In just three months their building and office spaces underwent several major changes, including installation of occupancy sensors, water efficient fixtures, and a water filtration system. The key to their success? A Green Team.

It started off with an email from the FAS Dean, Michael Smith, inviting everyone in University Hall to join the Green Team and work towards making FAS’ headquarters an inspiring showcase of environmental sustainability and a model to be replicated in other FAS buildings. Knowing that the program had the full backing of FAS leaders inspired many people to join the effort. This top-level support helped Johannah, the team's leader, work with other staff and the building manager to make tangible changes in the building.

The team focused its first meeting on brainstorming about possible projects. What followed was a long list of ideas and three months of intense work on changing building and office practices. What makes these projects attractive–beyond their environmental impact–are the associated financial savings.

"In this financial climate, people are looking for ways to save money, and many environmental projects can help," Johannah says.

As a result, Johannah is now working with the FAS Green Program in putting together a list of green projects that Sweet’s office will be promoting to FAS staff as cost-saving measures.

There are many things people can do on their own, such as power-managing their computers and using power strips. FAS Green Tips of the Month that go out to everyone in UHall talk about those important individual actions. But there are many other projects that need team collaboration and the involvement of the building manager.

Maureen McCarthy, UHall's building manager, has been invaluable in implementing projects supported by the Green Team and in securing buy-in from other staff. When FAS’ new temperature policy was announced, McCarthy walked around the building with a heat gun to evaluate temperature settings and inquire about occupants' comfort as part of an effort to balance occupant comfort with policy compliance. 

What can University Hall's experience teach us? Among other things, that it’s hard to change the world around us on our own, but bringing several committed people together can pay big dividends.

If you would like to start a green team, or connect with other environmentally minded people from FAS, contact Dara Olmsted, FAS Green office coordinator. We will help you get started!