Green Teams at FAS

Green Teams are small groups of students, staff, and faculty members in a department, building, or office who work on projects to make their office more sustainable. Green Teams work at their own pace and have been very effective as they know which projects should be implemented in their respective areas.

Green Teams at the FAS include:

• Arnold Arboretum

  The Arnold Arboretum Green Committee was created in June 2008 to aid in establishing a “green culture” in the workplace. So far, greening efforts have included a change to a more sustainable coffee, an indoor recycling audit and update, and the addition of composting in each of the kitchens. Future plans include creating a green board that will provide sustainable resources and ideas to staff, and more!

• Alumni Affairs & Development

  Formed in the fall of 2008, the AA&D Green team seeks to raise awareness, reduce waste, cut costs, and develop a greater office conscience - all in the name of Harvard's commitment to sustainability. Among other initiatives, the AA&D Green team has cleaned and re-stocked office kitchens with reusable cups, mugs and silverware, posted information about recyclable materials, hosted eco events, conducted green office inventories, developed guides to double sided printing/copying, and investigated other means to reduce waste and energy usage around Harvard’s development offices.

• CGIS

  The CGIS Green Team was formed in the spring of 2009, after long-time Eco-Citizen Clare Putnam, found a few like-minded individuals to help her continue her green outreach in the two CGIS buildings. The team is working with building manager, Matt Stec, on multiple projects, including reducing the computer lab's energy use, composting, and recycling outreach.

• Division of Continuing Education

  The DCE Green Team was formed in fall of 2008 to join in the University's sustainability efforts. Initiatives include reducing energy consumption in computer labs and classrooms by adjusting computer sleep modes and thermostat settings; encouraging use of reusable mugs and eliminating paper cups for daily use; changing to CFL's and installing light sensors; adjusting the speed of motors that run the HVAC system to save energy; and implementing singlestream recycling. DCE took 2nd place in the FAS Eco-Competition and is determined to win 1st next year!

• EPS Department

  The EPS Green Team is one of Harvard's first green teams and has been greening the EPS Department for years. Project highlights include: winning the Energy Competition in 2007, installing dual flush toilets, using green cleaning products, upgrading light bulbs, buying a departmental bike, and hosting a green seminar series.

• Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement

  The HILR Green Team was organized in spring 2007 to raise the consciousness of the 500 HILR members about greening their lives at 51 Brattle and at home. In fall 2007, the group celebrated with a four day Green Fair and the creation of a green board. A campaign to reduce use of paper cups has been successful- with members getting a 50% discount if the bring a mug. In 2008-09, the HILR co-chair joined the Division of Continuing Education Green Team to support 51 Brattle competing in the FAS Eco-Competition.

• Information Technology

  The FAS IT Green Team began in January 2009 and is comprised of members from their major sectors. The group is working on a number of projects including data center consolidation, virtualization, and computer purchasing and recycling policies.

• MCB

  The MCB Green Team was formed in 2008 with a focus on making both the labs and offices more sustainable.

• OEB/Herbaria/Biolabs

  The OEB/Herbaria/Biolabs Green Team was formed in 2008. The group meets regularly to tackle projects in their area including recycling outreach, composting at events and in offices, and making labs more sustainable.

• Office of Physical Resources and Planning

  The FAS Office of Physical Resources and Planning Green Team was formed in 2008 and is working on a number of projects, including installing occupancy sensors, dual-flush toilets, recycling improvements, composting, and native plants.

• University Hall

  The University Hall Green Team kicked off its efforts in December 2008 after Dean Smith expressed his wish for University Hall to become a sustainability showcase for Harvard. A few of the Team's projects include: installing energy efficient lights, changing to water efficient fixtures (dual-flush toilets and low flow aerators), putting in occupancy sensors, removing reverse osmosis water filtration systems, and switching to recycled toilet tissue and paper towels. Despite stiff competition, University Hall won the 2009 FAS Eco-Competition.