Workplace Sustainability

Another Step Toward Planetary Health: Single Use Bottled Water Plastics To Be Replaced

Key takeaways: U-M Health’s commitment to environmentally friendly operations and a series of agreements with vendors are leading to a major sustainability improvement: the replacement of single-use plastic water bottles. On Feb. 12, water sold at U-M Health will be in new containers. No longer will plastic bottles be used, but in their place will be aluminum bottles and boxed … Read More

Taking Sustainability On The Road: Tips For More Sustainable Travel

Since most of us have completely stopped and restarted traveling at some point within the past four years of pandemic and recovery, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how and why I travel as well as how I can ensure that my travel has the lowest impact possible on the environment. A question sustainability professionals are increasingly asked … Read More

Energy Efficiency Tips: Plug Load Management

Take a few minutes to look around your home, dorm room, office, or lab space and determine how many electronics or other devices are currently plugged into the wall outlets. Actually do it! Try to pick a space where you have some control or influence over decision making, and go take a look. This blog post will be waiting here … Read More

Exploring Our New Sustainability Resource Toolkit

GIF of how to filter the toolkit

I’ve been working with the Planet Blue Ambassador program for about six months now, and one of the most commonly asked questions I receive is, “How can I impact sustainability on campus or at home as an individual?” Across the university, sustainability professionals provide outlets for individuals to get involved in campus sustainability  through co-curricular student engagement programs  and workplace … Read More

Resources for Sustainable Office Kitchens

staff in an office kitchen with sustainable features

Recently at the Michigan League, Barbara Hagan and Nicole Berg from the Office of Campus Sustainability presented on several effective ways to improve the sustainability of office kitchens and resources to help sustainability champions around campus implement these efforts. Below is a recap of the topics and resources covered for those who were unable to attend. Purchasing Choose sustainable foods. … Read More

Sustainable Labs Spotlight: Laura Mayo-Bond and Holly Evanoff

Laura Mayo-Bond and Holly Evanoff

The University of Michigan has 2.8 million square feet of lab space for research and teaching and is ranked #1 in research volume among U.S public universities according to the National Science Foundation. With an enormous amount of equipment and energy used to conduct research, labs have historically not been the most sustainable of workplaces. Fortunately, The University of Michigan Office of Campus … Read More