Making a Difference, One Office at a Time: Creighton Faculty, Staff Invited to be Part of Sustainability Certificate Program  

Creighton’s Office of Sustainability Programs encourages offices across the Omaha and Phoenix campuses to reduce their environmental footprint by integrating more sustainable choices in their practices and earning a Sustainable Creighton Office Certificate. 

The Sustainable Creighton Office Certificate program is a voluntary initiative launched last September that promotes sustainable practices within campus office settings. The program offers guidance on conserving energy and water, reducing waste and increasing environmental awareness. 

The office certificate program was one of the initiatives proposed in the Sustainable Creighton Initiative, a report issued in 2022 that outlined Creighton’s comprehensive strategy and commitment to better care for our common home.  

“Sustainable Creighton is really about the entire Creighton community coming together and acting in solidarity around caring for our common home,” says Andrew Baruth, PhD, director of the Office of Sustainability Programs. 

“For many employees, specific, well-laid-out actions make this goal of creating that community in their sphere of influence more accessible and manageable. Having a set of goals and checking a box on completion can be very empowering and satisfying.”  

To earn a certificate, an office must meet a minimum of 16 environmental best practices in eight different categories, ensuring at least one in each category. Each office that meets the requirements receives a framed Sustainable Creighton Office certificate signed by the co-chairs of the Sustainability Governance Committee. The certificate recognizes and promotes areas on campus that are engaged in good work around sustainability.  

The eight categories include: 

• Engagement – include office sustainability policy and goals as part of onboarding; include sustainability tips in office meetings 
• Printing – only print when absolutely necessary and then print front to back; keep a pile for scrap paper 
• Office Area – waste reduction and diversion; air quality; sustainability signage 
• Waste Reduction – separate recyclables from landfill waste; recycle glass and cardboard; minimize unwanted mail 
• Electronics and Energy Efficiency – shut down equipment at the end of the day; use stairs rather than elevators and use natural light when possible; unplug the coffee maker and microwave at the end of the day 
• Purchasing – purchase paper that contains a minimum of 30% recycled paper; buy verified Fair Trade products when they’re available; use environmentally preferable dishwashing soaps, etc. 
• Transportation – minimize travel by using Zoom or Teams for meetings; schedule off-campus appointments at the beginning of the day; use the shuttle, bike or walk to get to meetings across campus 
• Photo of team in action 

“The certificate requires a photo of the office engaging in sustainable practices for completion, which allows us to celebrate these accomplishments publicly,” Baruth says. 

The complete checklist on the Sustainable Creighton web page includes innovation as an optional category.  Watch a 10-minute Tidbits video on Bridge to learn about the Sustainable Creighton Office certificate. 

Contact the Office of Sustainability Programs with questions.