Green leafy seal with the UChicago Phoenix and the text The Sustainability Pledge

Facilities Services

 

Staff of Facilities Services, make the pledge!

At the University of Chicago, we acknowledge the climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges of our times and are committed to making a positive impact on this complex problem. Through education and research, as well as facilities and resource management, we apply the expertise of our community to build a more sustainable future.

We must also affect change at the individual level. As a staff member, your actions can shift the culture and empower positive change.

We invite you to join us to steward a campus community engaged in actions that increase awareness and understanding of the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Pledge to make a personal commitment to incorporate sustainable actions into your daily routine. By making sustainability a lifestyle, you shape your legacy and ours.

You can view the Facilities Services Staff Sustainability Pledge list in a PDF that links to resources for many of the choices. You can use the “Fill & Sign” function to check off your areas of commitment, and then save your pledge for personal reference. Let it motivate your actions and be a conversation starter on campus. Sign your sustainability pledge in the form at the bottom of this webpage.

GET A PLEDGE BUTTON!  Email the Office of Sustainability at officeofsustainability@uchicago.edu to ask for your pledge button. Show you’re committed to shifting the culture on campus and beyond.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO FACILITIES SERVICES

STAFF SUSTAINABILITY PLEDGE

I pledge to make a positive difference with my sustainability choices at the University of Chicago and beyond.

I can affect positive change with my intentional choices.

Your circularity choices

  • Use single-stream recycling bins available on campus
  • Donate and reuse clothing
  • Recycle e-waste such as batteries and electronics
  • Avoid, reuse, or recycle plastic bags
  • Learn how and when to use UChicago Rheaply

Your workstyle

  • Go paperless
  • Carry a reusable beverage container, straw, food container, and bag
  • Reduce food waste
  • Shut down computers and lights before leaving the office
  • Patronize local businesses
  • Repair tech before replacing it by connecting with IT or the TechBar
  • Skip the space heater
  • Shut windows and use blinds to manage natural light, glare, and heat gain
  • Share your suggestions with the Office of Sustainability

Your energy and water usage   

  • Conserve energy at your desk or site
  • Vanquish phantom loads
  • Reduce vehicle idle time
  • Conserve water
  • Turn off unnecessary lights, use task lighting
  • Select a low-power state on electronics
  • Take time to unplug – an amazing amount of electricity is used by devices that are “off”
  • Report water leaks and hot or cold rooms

Your transportation and travel 

  • Walk, scoot, bike, skate, shuttle, CTA bus or train to work
  • Carpool to work if possible
  • Use low emission vehicles
  • Champion hybrid meetings and conferences
  • Prioritize less business travel
  • Consider emissions when you book travel

Your footprint from shipping  

  • Reduce overstock, check for surplus materials, and only order what you need
  • Bulk order
  • Reuse and recycle packaging
  • Buy local

Your procurement

  • Prefer green supplies
  • Switch to green cleaning supplies at home

Your events

  • Use local vendors whenever possible
  • Ask your venue or caterer for a greener event
  • Provide beverage stations instead of single-serve
  • Use reusable event supplies and avoid Styrofoam
  • Provide less carbon-intensive fare and swag
  • Avoid paper via digital displays, promotions, and QR codes
  • Announce in promotions you are greening the event and include transit options

Your voice and talent

  • Learn about climate and sustainability topics
  • Volunteer in a community garden or at a community organization
  • Be a mentor or board member who advocates for sustainability
  • Share your feedback on sustainability and accessibility with Facilities Services

Your campus

  • Explore why campus is designated a botanic garden
  • Tour the campus utility plants
  • Steward green spaces and respect plantings, trees, and wildlife
  • Visit Lake Michigan and steward clean water
  • Commit to end litter and join a campus clean-up
  • Support sustainability events by attending or planning your own
  • Attend or offer to conduct a campus sustainability tour
  • Help engage others with your actions and leadership

Your legacy  

  • Calculate your carbon footprint at carboncom
  • Learn about sustainability practices
  • Learn about the University’s greenhouse gas reduction goal
  • ​​Explore www.energystar.gov/saveathome
  • Choose your part on campus and beyond

Personalize and save your pledge as a PDF.

 

Sign your pledge in the form below to make it official.

 

Scroll to Top