Deadline for Greening the Office Certification is Nov. 30

Do you work in an administrative office or ambulatory practice and want to improve the environmental impact of your workspace? Now is the time to apply for Greening the Office certification. Applications are being accepted from Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, with awards presented in January. Using a checklist and resources on the Sustainability Hub, your department can reduce energy and water use, improve air quality and cut waste. These changes create a healthier workplace and can also lower costs. 

Now in its fourth year, the Greening the Office program continues to grow. Teams across the organization are making measurable improvements, with certification recognizing their efforts and encouraging even more progress.

Updates to the Program

This year brings several changes:

• Revised scoring. Silver requires 70–79%; Gold requires 80–100%.
• Documentation required. All “yes” or “n/a” answers must include comments or documents. No points will be awarded without them.
• New resources. The Sustainability Hub has been updated with information that connects directly to the checklist.

These updates make the certification process clearer, more consistent and more impactful.

Spotlight: Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery (ION)

The Institute of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery (ION) used certification to expand sustainability measures already in place, such as timed lighting and appliance audits. The initiative united six departments, Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery, PM&R, Pain Management, Therapy and Imaging, across a 116,000-square-foot building that serves more than 600 patients daily.

Staff added recycling bins, reduced paper use and collected 93,000 aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Roanoke. “ION achieving this accomplishment was truly a collaborative effort,” said Kaitlyn Costa, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “It would not have been possible without the attentiveness and dedication of all staff who work in this building, from Front Desk to Guest Services, Clinic Staff and Physician Leadership, Materials Management and especially Property Maintenance.”

Spotlight: 1212 3rd Street

At 1212 3rd Street, staff members with a passion for sustainability engaged colleagues with the support of leadership. One major initiative was the Trex Plastics Recycling program. In six months, the office collected enough material to earn a sustainable bench, now placed outside the building for employees and visitors. 

The team also began collecting aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, combining sustainability with community service. “Get creative, think outside the box beyond what you think you can do,” said Crystal Slusser. “Get the buy-in and make the process fun and engaging for everyone else to participate. Do surveys, create newsletters, give education, host contests and giveaways.”

Why It Matters

Greening the Office goes beyond recognition. It reduces waste, cuts emissions and supports healthier workplaces. It also builds teamwork and connects departments to community causes. If you’re ready to get started, visit the Sustainability Hub, download the certification checklist and see where your office can make an impact. Small steps add up, and changes made today can lead to even bigger improvements tomorrow.