GreenSalve
GreenSalve advocates for sustainable practices on campus and in the local community, provides environmental sustainability education and collaborates with other groups on campus to create and support initiatives that reduce the University's environmental impact. For more information, or to join the GreenSalve mailing list, contact Craig Condella.
"Green Office" Program
GreenSalve's "Green Office" program encourages faculty and staff to reduce their carbon footprint by pledging to do the following:
- Shut off computers and monitors at night and use standby modes by day
- Turn off lights not in use and keep windows and doors closed tightly to conserve energy
- Print on both sides of the page and reuse paper with one-sided print
- Use projectors at meetings
- Select environmentally friendly printing options
- Drink from reusable cups, mugs and water bottles and pack lunches in reusable containers
- Fill reusable bottles with filtered or tap water instead of buying bottled water
- Report leaky faucets and toilets to facilities
- Review University recycling guidelines
Faculty and staff who are interested in participating in the "Green Office" initiative should contact Julie Swierczek. Participants will receive a placard to display in their work area.
Battery, Print Cartridge and Electronics Recycling
Battery and print cartridge collection bins are located near the door of University Archives in the McKillop Library, Room 023. For more information, contact Julie Swierczek.
Battery recycling
For safety, please tape the terminals on all batteries before depositing them in the bin, which will prevent short circuits and generation of heat.
Materials accepted:
- Household batteries, both rechargeable and single use, including button cells. Battery types may include alkaline, NiMH, NiCad, Zinc Air, primary lithium or lithium ion.
- Rechargeable battery packs from cell phones, cameras, power tools, etc.
- Any other dry-cell batteries.
- Non-working handheld electronics, including cell phones, iPods and pagers. If the device still powers up, put it in the print cartridge recycling bin.
Print cartridge recycling
Materials accepted:
- Inkjet cartridges, including remanufactured inkjet cartridges.
- Laser toner cartridges. Only brand name cartridges are accepted; no remanufactured cartridges permitted.
- Cell phones, laptops, iPods and tablets. Damaged electronics (cracked screen, scratches, etc.) are accepted. Broken electronics that cannot power up should go in the battery recycling bin.
- Ink tubes, bottles, ribbons or remanufactured toner cartridges cannot be accepted.
Sodexo Dining Services
Sodexo has implemented a program in which surplus food is donated to local community members per legal waiver and agreement. Such food is designated, but not limited to, disadvantaged persons, the elderly and the homeless.
Bleach-free brown napkins eliminate the bleaching process and the use of chlorine, while napkin holders reduce napkin usage by 20 percent. Condiments and coffee creamers are served in bulk containers, and the implementation of tray-less dining in the Miley cafeteria has reduced water, energy and food waste.
Fair trade coffee is served throughout campus, while catered events use environmentally friendly Earth Plus products and 100 percent compostable Greenware disposable cups. Holiday dinners served in the Miley cafeteria contain many menu items from local and sustainable sources.
Water Conservation and Waste Reduction
Water filtration dispensers are located throughout campus, ensuring access to cold, filtered water. This system has effectively reduced the waste of hundreds of thousands of plastic bottles.
Showerheads and toilets have been converted to low-flow units and energy efficient washers and dryers have been installed. Reynolds Field is using a well to pump groundwater for irrigation, eliminating $10,000 per year of potable water use. An additional irrigation system using recycled groundwater is in place at the Rodgers Recreation Center.
Housekeepers are utilizing a microfiber mopping system that uses less water and reduces the number of laundry loads necessary to clean products. Concentrated cleaning products are being replaced with Green Seal certified cleaning products and the Phazer applicator system, which reduces product waste.