Sustainable Purchasing Updates

The Office for Sustainability joined the May Fiscal Administrator's meeting and provided updates on the current status of UVA's single-use plastics reduction efforts and shared that UVA has joined the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC). 

Single-Use Plastic Requirements:  To align with the  University's Sustainability goals, UVA will continue its commitment to reducing single-use plastics and will not purchase, distribute, or sell single-use plastics with UVA funds.   These requirements apply to purchases made with UVA funds, all units, foundations, and/or affiliates operating or providing a service on grounds or in UVA-owned buildings, and all events and projects taking place on UVA grounds.   Take the Plastic-Free Pledge!

The Supply Room Sustainable Products:  Located in the Marketplace, this curated collection gives you convenient access to compostable wares, aluminum water bottles, sustainable office and break room supplies, and more.  Look for this on the favorites tab or click the sustainable products logo you see here in the blog article. 

Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council:  UVA has joined the SPLC, which gives everyone on Grounds access to great resources.  Learn more and get the link to create your own account.

Anyone with questions or feedback can connect with the Sustainability team by emailing sustainability@virginina.edu.

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Links to Resources: 

• UVA's Single-Use Plastics Reduction Strategy https://sustainability.virginia.edu/single-use-plastics
• Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC)  https://www.sustainablepurchasing.org
• Where Does UVA's Waste Go? https://sustainability.virginia.edu/sites/g/files/jsddwu1096/files/2023-03/where%20does%20waste%20go%20infographic.pdf

Support Sustainability at UVA with "Hoos Making an Impact" Competition

Interested in making a difference in the UVA community? Then why not participate in the “Hoos Making an Impact” (HMAI) competition?

What is HMAI?

HMAI was developed by Staff Senate Co-Chairs Adam Griggs and Patrick Wood, President Ryan and his Executive Staff, and the Staff Senate.

“The competition’s inception was born from the idea that staff needed to be active partners with leadership in the crucial conversations that impact staff University-wide,” Staff Senate Co-Chair Patrick Wood explained when asked about HMAI. 

The goal of this competition, held annually, is to enable staff members to share their ideas for process improvement and to participate in implementing those ideas. Though subsequent years will not be themed, Sustainability was the chosen theme for the competition's first year since the University is working toward the 2030 Sustainability Plan goals.

Proposal Submission and Prizes

The submission portal is open to all Academic Staff from now through October 7th, 2022.

Staff members with the top ten submissions will present their proposals to a screening panel composed of representatives from the Staff Senate, and from the offices of the President, Provost, COO, DEI, and Sustainability.

The panel will choose up to three winning process improvement proposals to implement. The winners will receive $1,000 (teams split the reward) and a lunch in their honor with President Ryan, his leadership team, and the Staff Senate Co-Chairs. Winners will also be featured in UVA Today.

More information on the competition is available on the Staff Senate website.

Sustainability Lunch & Learn with Dogwood Refillery

Join the Office for Sustainability for a zero-waste lunch catered by Vu Noodles. Our guest speaker this month will be Alex Theriault, owner of the local business Dogwood Refillery. We all know that recycling is a good first step in your “green” journey, but Alex can teach us more about reducing, reusing, and refilling! Learn more about her shop and her journey to becoming a local green business leader.

Wednesday, September 28 from Noon-1:00pm
Ridley Hall (formerly Ruffner Hall) Room 302

Must register here by Sept 23

From UVA Sustainability: Break up with your Space Heater!

Did you know that UVA policy prohibits the use of space heaters on Grounds? Space heaters are extremely energy-intensive, so by following policy and “breaking up” with your space heater, you can be a part of leading UVA to a more sustainable future. 

If you have a space heater in your UVA office or dorm, trade it in (no questions asked!) during the month of February and receive a free energy-efficient warming alternative. Sign up here

“Future of Work” Green Tips - Energy

If it has been a while since your whole team has been together in the workplace, you may want to re-examine some energy settings and remind each other of some relevant policies.

Make your “Future of Work” more energy-efficient by focusing on these actions as a workplace.

• HVAC Scheduling - Many workplaces at UVA have smart thermostat settings that automatically adjust at different times of day or days of the week. Contact Facilities Management to check your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) schedule & compare that to the days/times when your team is in the workplace versus working from elsewhere. Office schedules may have changed significantly over the past year and a half!
• IT Settings - Double-check your computer settings periodically to get the most out of every charge. Follow these Sustainable IT recommendations and do it yourself, or ask your Local Support Partner (LSP) to change energy settings on all the computers in your department.
• Space Heaters - Just say no! If you weren’t already aware, the use of personal space heaters is actually prohibited at UVA for both environmental and safety reasons. To stay comfortable as the weather cools down, dress for the season and consider keeping a small blanket or microwavable rice bag at your desk.

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The UVA Office of Sustainability is continuing its series of green tip emails that can help you settle back into sustainable routines on Grounds. If you have feedback for their office as they re-engage with you, please complete this short survey.

“Future of Work” Green Tips - Health & Wellbeing / Paper

 Contributed by Dana Schroeder, UVA Sustainability

Some UVA employees may be adjusting back to working on Grounds. Many workplace sustainability practices may also happen to make us feel more happy and healthy in the office. Explore ways to incorporate some sustainable and healthy practices into your “Future of Work” routines.

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  Combo Commute - With new pay-by-day or pay-by-hour parking options available through ParkMobile, it could now be possible for nearby residents to commute some days via car and other days via biking, bussing, or walking. You could combine your exercise and travel one or two days per week, while still having more convenient access to your vehicle on other days.
• Natural Light - While working on Grounds, remember that using natural light could both save electricity and contribute to a positive mood. If there are windows near your desk, open up the blinds and try turning off your overhead light. If need be, find a comfortable common space where you can get some sun for an hour or two.
• Indoor Plants - If you haven’t already, try bringing in some plants from home to make your workplace feel more comfortable and personal. UVA faculty member Tim Beatley could tell you about the benefits of working in a “biophilic” space, from feeling more connected with nature to maintaining focus on the task at hand.

Some of us may have significantly reduced our paper usage over the past 18 months, as many things transitioned to virtual or electronic format. Consider having a conversation with your colleagues about making paper-saving norms part of your “Future of Work” as well.

• Paperless Processes - Talk to your team about which electronic processes adopted during COVID can continue indefinitely. For example: doing without handouts at meetings; circulating draft documents for edits in Box or Teams rather than on paper; using electronic signatures where possible, etc. Brainstorm other ideas unique to your workplace.
• Junk Mail - If unwanted mail in your office’s box piled up during COVID, make it a workplace initiative to unsubscribe and prevent future paper waste. Call companies during business hours and ask “Can someone help remove me from your mailing list?” To encourage the whole team, you might create an “unsubscribe” pile and designate one person who doesn’t mind unsubscribing everyone.
• Scrap Paper - Did you have any posters, handouts, or other pre-printed documents become obsolete over the course of the pandemic? When tidying up your workplace, create a scrap paper pile for anything that still has one free side. Encourage people to grab scraps for to-do lists and scribbles instead of using post-it notes or other fresh paper.

"Earth Day Every Day" Community Celebration

A message from UVA Sustainability and the Carruthers Hall Green Team

This time of year, we usually begin announcing celebration plans for Charlottesville-UVA Earth Week, which takes place in mid-April. It’s been an extraordinarily tough year, but there is still so much to celebrate about our shared planet. That’s why for 2021, we look forward to celebrating all April long with an expanded “Earth Day Every Day” Community Celebration! 

We invite individuals and groups to participate in any/all of the following ways. Let’s show our friends, families, co-workers, classmates, and neighbors how much our community cares about this beautiful Earth that we all share.


Host or Attend “Earth Day Every Day” Events
Including virtual events and in-person events that adhere to UVA Covid policies at the time of the event (i.e. gathering size, masking, and distancing requirements)
To see or add events that are in the works, use this planning sheet
Submit your finalized event to the UVA Sustainability calendar
Events will be promoted by a number of community organizations
Subscribe to UVA’s SustainaNewsletter for weekly event reminders in April


Record and Watch “Green Neighbor” Videos
Learn more about what we are looking for and sign up HERE
Take 1-5 minutes to share your Earth-friendly tips/expertise
Doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just submit by April 12
Videos premiere April 22 on Facebook, Insta, Twitter, and the SustainaNewsletter


Plan #EarthDayVA Social Media Posts for April 22
Show support with a unified state-wide message on Earth Day
Post on your personal pages and help plan posts to group/work accounts
Highlight your sustainability-related actions, goals, initiatives, or heroes
Use the hashtag #EarthDayVA and tag @SustainableUVA


Help Amplify this Community Celebration
Share this content and encourage other individuals and groups to participate
Help promote events and videos through your communication channels
Email sustainability@virginia.edu to indicate you’ll be helping spread the word!


We are looking forward to celebrating this April, and we hope you are as well. If you have any new ideas or questions about how we plan to celebrate “Earth Day Every Day” this year, please do reach out.

Spread the word: Funding resources at the intersection of equity and the environment!

 

 UVA Equity & Environment Fund Workshop

Tuesday, March 16 from 4:00-5:30pm

Are you a student with a creative project idea that needs funding? Or are you part of an organization seeking to partner with UVA students?

The UVA Equity & Environment Fund is a $30,000 funding resource for student projects at the intersection of sustainability and equity. We will be hosting both UVA students & representatives from community organizations in an online workshop with the hope of building bridges & spurring equitable environmental solutions in our community. Attend to connect with a partner who might be interested in workshopping an environmental justice project idea with you. 

This workshop will explain the Fund, highlight a few past recipients, connect students and community groups, and give you time to workshop an E&E Fund proposal idea in the $500-$5,000 range if you wish. Please register at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/equity-and-environment-fund-project-workshop-tickets-143101593719

Questions?  Contact sustainability@virginia.edu