Greening Your Office: Practical Tips for Reducing Your Environmental Footprint

Presenters:Erica Spiegel, Corey BermanUniversity of Vermont Recycling Program, Physical Plant Department

Campus Environmental Footprint* Tons of solid waste sent to landfill - 1,748 tons Cost of Landfill Disposal - $157,000 kWH used on campus – 59,268,484 kWH Cost of Electricity bill – $7,268,108 Cubic Feet of Natural Gas – 605,864 MCF Cost of Natural Gas bill - $3,836,487 Gallons of Fuel Oil – 209,000 gallons Cost of Fuel Oil - $355,000

*2008 data

Individual staff members and departments are needed to help the campus reduce its collective

environmental impact.

The daily actions and decisions made by individuals on behalf of the institution will

determine whether UVM lives up to its “environmental” reputation and name.

We all contribute to the Campus Environmental Footprint……and we are all part of the solution.

Tour of the Workplace Recycling & Reuse Special Items to Separate Food and Lunchtime The “Paperless” Office

Copier MachineComputers and PrintersFax machinePublicationsMail & Sharing Information

Green Meetings Energy Use Computer Use Purchasing Transportation &

Commuting

Recycling: What goes in the bin? (a.k.a. “All In One” or “Zero Sort”)

Office paperNewspapersMagazines“Junk mail”EnvelopesBoxboardCardboard

Bottles & CansGlass bottles & jarsPlastic bottlesSteel cansAluminum cansAluminum foil

Recycling: many additional materials are accepted in the mix

Visit www.uvm.edu/recycle for complete UVM guidelines or www.cswd.net for a printable poster.

Plastics # 1 – 7 Dairy Tubs Plastic ‘Take-Out’

Boxes 6-pack and 12-pack

beverage cartons

Special Items to Separate Household-Type Batteries Ink Jet Cartridges CFL or Fluorescent Bulbs “Techno Trash”

(cell phones, CD’s, etc.)

These items are collected in special “Techno Trash” stations located in each Residence Hall, in the Davis Center, the Library and other locations. Visit www.uvm.edu/recycle for a list of locations.

More Special Items to Separate

OSCAR: Office Supply Collection And Reuse program - located in Billings Center building. Drop off or pickup gently used office supplies!

Overhead Transparencies Recycling- Send through Campus Mail: Recycling, 284 East Ave

Other Materials are Recycled “Behind the Scenes”

Wood Pallets Scrap Metal Grease/oil from kitchens Used Motor Oil Electronics Waste or “e-waste” Surplus furniture and equipment Appliances Food Waste (for composting) Vehicle Tires

Lunch Time: What does YOUR lunch look like? Pack lunch in reusable containers. Avoid disposables and single-portion packets. Keep plate, utensils & cloth napkin in your desk. Buy juice or beverages in larger bottles; more product, less package. Choose “Local Foods” Eat “lower on the food chain” “Less packaging” usually equates to “better nutrition”

or

If you choose “take out” on campus, choose Eco-Ware

Eco-Ware is a reusable take-out program sponsored by University Dining Services (UDS).

Eco-Ware can be purchased and used at most retail dining areas on campus.

Use Eco-Ware and get 15 cents off your meal! Turn in your Eco-Ware and UDS will wash it and provide you with

a tag for your next use. Visit http://www.facebook.com/EcoWareAtUVM

for more info.

“One Less Cup” Program Use a reusable mug, get a

discount! Coffee and soda refills cost less at

all UDS retail locations. Challenge your co-workers to carry

their own cups. Help advertise the campaign – give

decals to co-workers.

“One Less Bottle” ProgramAnnually in U.S. Total plastic for bottles ... 900,000 tons Total CO2 produced ... 2.5 million tons Total oil used to produce ... 17 million barrels

Burlington Tap Water is a safe, healthy and economical alternative.

Stop buying bottled water for yourself and for your departmental meetings!

The Paperless Office Are we there yet? Soon.

Most University business processes are now done on-line. (payroll, hiring, room scheduling, catering)

Increase use of document scanners to make digital copies instead of paper ones.

Convert documents to PDF format to easily send and store.

Devise an organized file management system on the network that everyone in department can use.

Copying & Printing Avoid copying in the first place! Before you print, ask “is it necessary?” Use two-sided (duplex) “Shrink image” to fit page (e.g., 2-up) Use one-sided leftovers

for scrap paper or make notepads Use a password/copier code to control

amount of printing Edit & spell check on screen Use “Print Preview” Format documents to fit one page Visit www.changethemargins.com

Publishing & Sharing Information Publish newsletters online or design them to

minimize paper use. Choose recyclable bindings & coatings. Use recycled-content paper. Minimize the number you distribute. Target your

mailing list. Route items using a “check off” sheet. Reuse campus mailing envelopes. Reuse large envelopes by placing new

address label over used one. Reduce unwanted “junk” mail. Share journal subscriptions or subscribe on line.

Green Your Meetings Hold “virtual” meetings on line, avoid travel Send agenda by e-mail Remind attendees to bring own mug Facilitate carpooling or shuttle Reusable nametags, dishes, cups Minimize or avoid printed handouts Have recycling bins available for attendees

(be sure to request these through Scheduling system)

Make “Greener” Choices through University Catering Services

Request “Local Foods” if available.

Choose reusable/china service (if budget allows)

Request paper or compostable serviceware.

Avoid individual bottled beverages.

Notify Catering Staff of your “environmental” goal, and they can help in making decisions about your event.

Energy Saving Tips Turn off lights, Enjoy natural light Put a timer on shared Copier and Printer Choose Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL’s) Install “Occupant Sensor Lighting” (Ask UVM

Energy Manager if your dept is eligible.) Turn down heat before leaving Close storm windows in office Report temperature problems to “SOS” Pull window shades closed at night Buy energy efficient equipment and

appliances– look for “Energy Star” rating.

Green Computing Tips Set computer to “sleep” mode. Screen savers

do not save energy! http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_management

Turn off components when not in use, especially the monitor!

Use a power strip to easily turn off all components at once.

Avoid battery operated mice and keyboards. Or, choose a wireless mouse that has an “OFF”

switch to conserve the battery.

Green Purchasing Tips Avoid buying stuff in the first place. Specify “green” products Buy recycled-content products Choose products with minimal packaging Buy used furniture http://www.uvm.edu/surplus

Seek out non-toxic alternatives Look for reusable or refillable products Buy recycled content copier paper –UVM Contract for 100% recycled chlorine-free paper

http://www.uvm.edu/~procure/?Page=papercontract.htm

Transportation & Commuting

Walk or bike around campus

Use campus shuttle buses

CATMA Ride Share program

CATMA “Rewards Cards”

UVM staff and students ride CCTA buses

for free. Just show your Cat card ID.

Questions or Comments

Contact Us:Erica Spiegel

Corey BermanUVM Recycling Program

Contact us!recycle@uvm.edu

www.uvm.edu/recycle