Results
The Pitt Green Home Office CO2e Savings Calculator displays results in pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) (not metric tons). Results are given in units of pounds of CO2e/work year. Work years are assumed to be 50 work weeks per year and 37.5 work hours per week. Therefore, the CO2e Savings from this calculator does not account for any actions you take outside of work hours.
In addition, your CO2e Savings is just an estimate because it only takes into account items in the energy, transportation, and eating habits categories. Furthermore, each calculation was based in average values. For example, average energy usage of a computer, average distance traveled to work, average passenger vehicle miles per gallon, etc.
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Green Home Office Challenge Carbon Footprint Savings
- 207 employees have joined the challenge as of May 2023
- Collective savings by Pitt Employees – 1,342,646 lbs CO2e
- The average employee saves 7,117 lbs CO2e annual with their sustainable practices
- The maximum savings seen by an employee through their remote work practices was 9,714 lbs CO2e
Green Home Office Challenge Rankings
As a participant in the challenge, the goal is to achieve the highest score possible in both the CO2e Savings and Numerical Score categories. The Numerical Score you were given at the end of the Green Home Office Challenge Survey takes into account all categories.
- The average ranking of participants is Sprout with a numerical score of 53.10
- Home Office Challenge Designation Distribution
- 9 Sustainable Oaks (>80% total points)
- 57 Saplings (>60% total points)
- 87 Sprouts (>40% total points)
- 53 Seeds (<40% total points)
Want to become even more sustainable at work?
Learn more about how other Pitt Green programs and how to participate below:
Tips to Lower Your Impact
Help advance the University of Pittsburgh’s culture of sustainability while working remotely! There are changes you can make to create a more sustainable and healthier workspace:
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Is Your Remote Work Sustainable?
Save Energy
- Reduce your computer’s power usage by putting it in power saving mode while you’re not using it. Leaving your computer on all day costs you $75 per year.
- Proper lighting is an important part of any office! To conserve energy & cut electric costs, set up your office in a space with natural lighting. Replace light bulbs with energy efficient LEDs, which save 75% more energy than incandescent bulbs
- Install motion sensor lighting that will turn off when a room is not in use.
- Turn off lights & electronics when you leave your home office! Turning off lights can save 10 to 20% of your total home electricity usage!
- Estimate the energy use of your appliances to learn how much you could save!
- Turn off additional monitors, speakers, printers, and scanners when they are not in use. To make this task easier, use a power strip!
- Ensure that small appliances like coffeemakers and microwaves shut off when not in use.
- In warmer months, shut your blinds/shades to trap cold air in and keep heat out. During the winter, do the same to trap heat inside & keep the cold out.
Reducing & Diverting Waste
- Understand and follow your local recycling procedure.
- For hard to recycle items, check out local hard to recycle collection events put on by Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC)!
- Learn what can be composted at home and consider setting up a home compost bin.
- Eliminate printing altogether or try to reduce how often you use your printer.
- To save paper, use a phone or computer app to take notes.
- Learn about new digital tools to help you avoid printing.
- If you have to print from your home office, print doubled sided in black and white and use carbon neutral or recycled paper.
- Use reusable glasses and water bottles to eliminate single-use waste.
- If you use a Keurig, use compostable coffee pods.
- If you have a traditional coffee pot, use a reusable filter and/or compost paper filters and grounds.
Food Practices
- When ordering takeout, ask that single-use utensils not be included.
- Try to not eat ready-to-go meals that are pre-packaged in plastic.
- Switch to compostable, organic, fair trade, or shade-grown coffee brands. Buy coffee in bulk & use compostable filters or k-cups.
- Look for fair trade, organic teas in compostable or recyclable packaging
- Try to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing your meat intake and eating vegetarian and/or vegan meals.
Health & Wellbeing
- Schedule a lunch break every day.
- Turn blue-light setting on computer screen and/or mobile device(s) to protect your eyes.
- Take breaks to stretch and move to keep active – it is recommended that you get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
- Have an ergonomically healthy workspace setup.
Want to become even more sustainable at work?
Gather your team and pursue a Pitt Green designation to advance sustainability together!
Check out the Pitt Green Guides for helpful resources.
When purchasing items, consider sustainable alternatives.
Learn more about how other Pitt Green programs and how to participate below:
