Presentation for the Sustainable Communities and Campuses Conference on March 29, 2019 in Cambridge, MA

1. Green Office Program
2019
Abby Smurzynski
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2. Office of Sustainability: Overview of Initiatives
● The 2016 Brandeis University Climate
Action Plan
○ Reduce carbon emissions by 10% by FY18,
15% by FY 2020
○ FY18, we surpassed our goal and
reduced emissions by 12.6%
● Recent developments
○ Brandeis Catering Services: Now all-
compostable!
○ Increasing compost locations
○ Campus switch to recycled content
paper
○ LED lighting projects across campus 2
● In the works
○ Tesla battery storage demonstration
project
○ Investigating procurement of 100%
renewable electricity for campus
○ Annual move-out donation program

3. Green Office Certification
Steps
1. Presentation
2. Fill out checklist & send back
3. Display your medal!
We can help with…
● Composting in your kitchen
● Switching to compostable coffee service
● Holding green events
● Reducing bottled water/ Poland Spring
● And more!
3
Spiritual & Religious Life
Hiatt Career Center
English Department
Student Affairs
WSRC
Conference & Events

4. Checklist

5. 5

6. 6
We’re #11 of
250+!

7. Checklist

8. Why compost?
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● Diverts food
waste from
landfills and
incinerators
● Breaks down
waste much faster
than landfills
● Creates nutrient-
rich soil, which
can be used
instead of
chemical
fertilizers in plant
cultivation
● It’s the law!
● Black Earth
Compost ultimate
guide to
composting
Our compost facility: Black Earth Compost
Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA

9. Hiking on compost
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Temperatures reach over 150F!

10. Checklist

11. Catering has gone compostable!
Make your events even greener by:
● Following the Green Event Guidelines
● Using the Sodexo Green Menu
○ Climate-friendlier choices pulled from regular
menu
○ No beef or individually-bottled beverages
● Example: Sandwich buffet product instead
of boxed lunches = less trash!
11
5 point