Harvard Real Estate

Sustainable Workplace Initiative

Harvard Real Estate is committed to supporting Harvard in building and operating a healthier, more sustainable campus community.

In addition to building improvements and operation practices, Harvard Real Estate’s Sustainable Workplace Initiative is here to provide you, our tenants, with the tools you need to reduce your workplace’s footprint and engage your colleagues in the University’s commitments and your own sustainability projects.

Where to begin? Make your department a Harvard Green Office

Receive rewards for each of the four Green Office levels —Leaf 1, 2, 3 and 4— you complete, including reusable plates for your shared kitchenette and personal reusable bamboo utensils for each employee in your office.

Learn about the Green Office Program

How to certify:

1. Register your office for the Green Office Program
2. Download and review the application form, where you will track your progress
3. Invite your coworkers to join and work with you on earning points
4. Send your completed application to Sustainable Workplace Coordinator Anne Sargent with the subject “Green Office Application  — Name of Your Department/Office,” along with any supplemental materials.

Take action

save energy

• Change your power management settings for Windows and Mac
• Use smart power strips
• Help reduce energy during heat waves and peak demand days
• Turn off before you leave for vacation

REDUCE Waste

• Do you double side? Printing instructions for Windows and Mac
• DOWNLOAD WASTE SIGNAGE
• MAKE YOUR NEXT MEETING OR EVENT SUSTAINABLE
• REDUCE YOUR PAPER USE
• 6 ways to minimize your e-waste
• HOST A SUCCESSFUL FREECYCLE
• How to host a waste audit
• Start an interoffice envelope reuse system
• 4 tips to reduce your junk mail

promotE a healthy, productive environment

• Follow the healthy eating plate
• 6 YOGA EXERCISES TO DO AT YOUR DESK
• Raise awareness about and reduce exposure to chemicals of concern 
• Biking to work 101
• 10 TIPS FROM HARVARD'S BIKE COMMUTING PROS
• vp katie lapp's tips to re-charge
• 8 challenges for greater fundamental happiness

EngagE your team

• Start a Green Team
• 10 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL GREEN TEAM
• Use the green team campaigns and volunteer calendar
• Quick sustainability talks and films for brown bag lunches
• MAKE YOUR OFFICE A GREEN OFFICE