Performance Audit of Workplace Sustainability (PAWS) - Sustainability Hub for Innovation & Environment

• Whenever possible we turn off lights and use daylight, or use task lights.
• When leaving the office for significant time periods, lights are always turned off.
• Our office has converted to automatic light switches and we put signage (including Braille signage from the DRC) near switches to inform individuals of lighting.
• Our office uses manual light switches and we put signage (including Braille signage from the DRC) near switches reminding people to turn them off when the room is empty.
• We turn off, or put in sleep mode, equipment (computers, printers, etc.) when not in use.
• We use energy efficient settings for computers, printers, copiers and other devices.
• We send, or will send, an email which contains an energy saving checklist to our staff before holidays and breaks.
• We have unplugged or turned off under-used electrical equipment such as scanners, fax machines, and microwaves when gone from offices for extended periods (weekends/breaks).

• W2s are delivered electronically to all employees in the office.
• Old or unused equipment is returned to Campus Surplus.
• Single-use plastics are reduced whenever possible.
• Whenever appropriate we reduce paper margins when printing.
• Industry publications subscriptions have been changed to the online versions.
• We have unsubscribed people from junk and unwanted mailings.
• We have had an "Office Clean Out Day" in the past year to promote recycling and reuse in our office.
• We have a "Scrap Paper" bin near printers to be used for scrap or internal memos.
• Electronic memos, forms, newsletters, agendas, etc. are used instead of printed copies whenever possible.
• When we must print PowerPoint slides, we print multiple slides per page.
• We use multiuse interoffice envelopes instead of single-use envelopes.
• We limit the use of colored paper and use lighter colors whenever possible.
• News media/distributors are contacted so the office receives fewer physical publications.
• Employees utilize an electronic document management system (such as DocuSign) to provide signatures for contracts, agreements, and other relevant documents rather than print hard copies.
• Events are advertised online rather than mass-printing and distributing brochures or flyers.
• We aim to lower the page count of publications and/or avoid using foils, lamination, or other effects that make printed materials unrecyclable.
• We have adjusted at least one office policy to eliminate paper waste.

• We reuse scrap paper and office supplies.
• We review proper recycling practices (https://nmu.edu/shine/recycling-guidelines) at staff meetings and/or through an office email annually to ensure that all members of our office are aware of the recycling rules and have their questions answered.
• Where there are trash bins we also have recycling bins in common areas such as kitchens, break rooms and mail rooms.
• We have a designated area in our kitchen/break area for reusable bags that we can use for shopping trips.
• We recycle used batteries by either taking them to a designated collection bin on campus.
• We have signs posted that explain what can be recycled in each recycling bin.
• All ink and toner cartridges are recycled, and there is a recycling bin for small electronic waste (i.e. batteries, ink cartridges, etc.).
• Our office donated or repurposed purchased items from events/initiatives.

• We hold paperless meetings (e.g. no printed out agendas).
• For important information about meetings and events, participating staff only provide electronic materials via e-mail, the office website, or other online platforms.
• Before events and meetings we send an e-mail reminding attendees to bring mugs or reusable cups if beverages will be served.
• We have recycling bins available at all events and meetings.
• We do not offer single-use plastic water bottles at meetings and events.
• At our events and meetings we use reusable cups, dishware, and utensils whenever possible. For occasions when this is not possible, we use recyclable or compostable materials and provide reminders to individuals on proper disposing expectations.
• We provide reusable kitchenware in order to reduce the need for disposable items.
• We have eliminated Styrofoam items from the office.
• We provide reusable bags in the kitchen and breakroom for your staff to use instead of plastic bags when shopping and buying lunch.
• We encourage the use of water bottle refill stations in the office with signage or other methods.
• If we supply paper products to staff in our break room or kitchen, we purchase napkins and paper towels that are compostable or 50-100% recycled content.
• We conserve water in our office by not running the faucet for extended periods of time (e.g. when washing hands or dishes).
• We have signage posted next to faucets in bathrooms and kitchens reminding people to turn off water.
• Dripping and leaking faucets are reported promptly.

• When placing catering orders, we consider vegetarian and vegan options as a way to reduce animal product consumption.
• All coffee and tea purchased by the workplace is fair trade and organic.
• We promote Meatless Monday participation among our workplace.
• We provide large, multi-serving beverages (e.g. 2 liter bottles, gallon jugs, pitchers) at events and for daily consumption instead of individual, disposable containers (e.g. single-use water bottles, soda cans).
• We purchase our coffee, sugar, creamer, salt, pepper and other condiments in multi-serving containers rather than in single-serving packages. (Compostable K-Cups are OK).
• We do not provide bottled water and encourage the use of water coolers, pitchers, and reusable cups and bottles instead.
• We encourage employees to bring beverages and food in reusable containers.

• Whenever possible we purchase products with minimal packaging or buy in bulk.
• We explore options for reuse and check surplus resources before purchasing new products.
• We consolidate orders so that we do not make multiple purchases per month.
• We have a comprehensive inventory of our office equipment and consumables to avoid over purchasing.
• We replaced our coffee machine with a machine that does not use single-use pods.
• We have a system to store and distribute office supplies so that they can be shared within the office.
• We have implemented changes to reduce our paper use by utilizing electronic communications, filing systems, and double-sided printer default settings.
• When we receive shipments that are packaged in Styrofoam peanuts, someone in our office takes them to the nearest UPS store for reuse.
• Our office members have made a commitment to not purchase Styrofoam products for use in the office.
• We avoid purchasing helium balloons for events.
• If purchasing, we purchase paper products with the max post-consumer recycled content available.
• We have replaced our disposable batteries with rechargeable batteries.
• If purchasing, we choose high-yield and/or remanufactured toner and ink cartridges.
• We minimize the use of giveaways (swag), allow individuals to decline giveaways, and/or purchase items that are made sustainably (e.g., made from recycled content, fair trade).
• We purchase eco-friendly promotional products (e.g. a pen which is 80% post-consumer recycled material or compostable products).
• Annually we assess office purchases and identify opportunities for more sustainable purchasing.

• We provide information on and encourage carpooling, public transit (MarqTran), biking, and other alternative commuting options to our staff, and we make sure it is widely distributed and updated when necessary.
• Employees attend professional conferences virtually whenever possible.
• We replace business travel (e.g. recurring meetings) with videoconferencing (e.g. Zoom, Teams, etc.) whenever possible.

• We encourage all office members to learn about the Indigenous People native to the land (https://nmu.edu/nativeamericanstudies/home).
• We encourage all office members to learn about the office of Opportunity, Empowerment and People (https://nmu.edu/empowerment/home).
• We encourage all office members to learn about NMU's commitment to the Okanagan Charter (https://nmu.edu/boardbook/2023/May/Addendum%202%20-%20Okanagan%20Charter.pdf).
• We encourage all office members to explore cultural and identity-based events, resource centers, and programs to foster a sense of belonging.
• We encourage staff to be active on lunch breaks (e.g., take a walk, do chair yoga, crochet, etc.) to support mental and physical health.
• Office members have received information about mental and physical wellness resources; office members are supported in pursuing these resources when needed.
• Active workspace tools (e.g., standing desks, active sitting balls, hand cycling devices, fidget devices, etc.) are available to employees.
• The office engages in office wellness challenges to encourage employee mental and physical health.
• We have at least one plant, per 5 people in our office.
• We have at least one plant, per 2 people in our office.
• Employees are provided with information regarding mentorship and volunteering opportunities.
• We provide office members with information about environmental and climate justice.
• We encourage all office members to consider diversity, equity, and inclusion when making decisions.
• We provide signage or materials in another language, such as Spanish, that is used by our staff, faculty, and/or students.

• We have/plan to host an annual event related to sustainability. (This could mean co-sponsoring an event put on by a student club or organization).
• We have dedicated a space or bulletin board to disseminate information about recycling or waste reduction.
• Our office has sustainability goals.
• We track our office's progress toward achieving our sustainability goals.
• We communicate our sustainability successes at least annually (e.g. in office communications or reports).
• We educate our staff members about sustainable actions that relate to their work, and we include office sustainability content in job trainings and new employee orientations.
• We provide training/orientation to new staff/visitors of the office on PAWS requirements.
• We have recruited another office to join the PAWS program.
• If our office becomes PAWS certified, we will post our certification in a highly visible area for staff and visitors to see.
• We have discussed the PAWS Program in our staff and/or departmental meeting.
• We have support from our direct supervisor to participate in the PAWS Program.
• We have an active "green" team in our office, building, or department that meets on a regular basis.

Please describe any other sustainable actions taken or practices adopted not covered by the other sections in the checklist. The SHINE Sustainability Audit Intern will consider each innovation item and provide bonus points based on creative solutions to sustainability challenges (1-3 points each item, 15 points available).

Examples:

- Our office has created a reusable dry-erase inventory sheet to replace a 10 page inventory sheet that was printed weekly (1 point)
- Our department eliminated the production of a 14 page brochure and made it only available electronically (1 points)
- We collect soft plastic bags and packaging from our office and take them to the grocery store or TerraCycle  for recycling (https://nmu.edu/shine/unique-recycling-resources) (2 points)
- At least 10% of our staff have earned a Sustainable Citizenship Badge (2 points)
- Our department/office ensures that waste from productions, shows, instillations, etc. gets recycled properly (3 points)
- We engage in a plant exchange once per year with another department (3 points)
- Our department/office only gives out sustainably/ethically sourced swag (3 points) 
- Our department composts (request a composting bucket from SHINE) (3 points)