Sustainable Living at AppState

learn more at sustain.appstate.edu/sustainabilityguide

S u s t a i n a b i l i t y a t A p p a l a c h i a n not a trend, a tradition

Wellness Food Water Energy Transportation Waste Stuff Cit izenship

S u s t a i n a b i l i t y a t A p p a l a c h i a n not a trend, a tradition

The Appalachian community is living our commitment to sustainability and you are an integral part of this commitment and this community.

The daily choices you make matter. Together, 20,000-strong, Appalachian has a major impact on our environment, our local economy and the health of our community.

The sustainable lifestyle depicted here is not a mere suggestion, it represents who we are, Appalachian State Mountaineers, leading by example as engaged citizens.

Wellness Food Water Energy Transportation Waste Stuff Cit izenship

Get a Check UpPreventative care is a healthy habit. Visit the on-campus HEALTH CENTER or your local physician for regular check-ups to make sure your body stays healthy.

Be ResponsibleBe aware of your actions and your limits. Friends look after freinds. Your actions affect one another. Be smart, be safe and check out It’s Up To Me.

University RecreationUREC is a great way to get involved and get moving, offering activities from a climbing wall to Adventure Trips to Group Fitness. Grab a buddy and go to the Rec Center.

Take Care of YourselfListen to your body and mind. Besides water, nourishment & sleep; make time to care for yourself. Spend time relaxing.

Drink More WaterThe healthiest thing to drink is water. Keep your water bottle filled so you can feel refreshed and ready all day. Hydrate.

Quit Smoking (or don’t start)Yes, its bad for you. Respect yourself, others, and the environment. Think of the money you will save.

your well being is as important as the environmentBe Well

You Have a Beautiful MindAppalachian’s Mental Health Ambassadors work to remove the stigma associated with talking about mental health and to make mental health issues part of a broader campus discussion. Good mental health is important to your overall well being.

your well being is as important as the environmentBe Well

Read the IngredientsLabels on food are oftentimes misleading. It’s best to read the ingredients listed on packaged foods, and whenever possible, choose food with the fewest ingredients.

Eat LocalWhenever possible, eat foods grown locally. Seek out fresh produce and products grown in the region. This helps maintain a healthy diet while supporting your community.

Fair Trade?Where does your food come from? Who are you supporting? Get to know who produces the items you’re buying and how? Your dollars can do good things.

Learn to CookWith just a basic knowledge of cooking, sustainable food choices become easier to make. Learning to cook your favorite foods using local ingredients can make a real difference in the types of food you consume.

Eat SeasonallyWhen you eat produce that is in season, there is an increased chance that your food was grown locally. In the summer, eat salad vegetables and summer fruits. Eat root vegetables, hearty greens and apples the fall. Even milk and eggs are more abundant certain times of the year.

Control your PortionsMore is not always better. Learn to control your portions. Your waistline AND your wallet will thank you.

Consume Less MeatHundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer. Join Appalachian Food Services for Meatless Mondays.

your dietary choices affect your lifeThink about your Food

your dietary choices affect your lifeThink about your Food

all the water that will ever be is right now

Drink Filtered WaterStart reusing your refillable water bottle everywhere; it will save you money and keep plastic bottles out of the landfill. Filtered filling stations are avaialble in all dorms.

Save Water in the ShowerThere is no need for a 30 minute shower, even if it’s free. Instead, set a timer for 5-10 minutes, and you should have plenty of time for all your squeaky clean business.

Keep Streams CleanWhen litter ends up in our streams it can flow to our oceans and that is no place for trash. Pay attention to local streams and make sure to keep them clean. Adopt a Stream.

Wash Full LoadsWhether it’s the dishwasher or washing machine, make sure you fill it up and try to use cold water instead of hot. And when possible, share a load of laundry with a friend.

Don’t Flush MedicationIt’s an unsafe habit that contaminates our water supply. Learn about App’s on-campus OPERATION MEDICINE CABINET, and how they dispose of medications.

Fix the LeakDon’t waste time or money; fix leaks as soon as possible. Aside from being annoying, 20 drips a minute wastes a gallon of water a day. Don’t be a drip.

Turn off WaterWhether you are washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or washing your hands, turn off the water between rinses.

Conserve Clean Water

all the water that will ever be is right nowConserve Clean Water

let the light bulb go off and think about how to best conserveBe Energy Savvy

Turn It OffDid you know that many devices, if plugged in, continue to draw electricity even when turned off? Use a power strip.

Charge WiselyMost electronics take minutes or hours to charge, not all night, so plug in only when needed.

Use your WindowsOpen or close your windows to adjust temperature. Open to regulate the air and enjoy natural air flow. Close curtains to warm a room or open them for natural light.

Program Energy SettingsScreen savers don’t save energy, so let your computers sleep. By doing so you can save up to 70% of the energy used. Let it sleep or even better, turn it off.

Save Money in the KitchenPack items tightly in the freezer to keep it all cold and loosely in the fridge to allow proper air flow so food doesn’t spoil. Use the microwave for small items rather than the oven. Keep refrigerator and oven doors closed.

Temper the Thermostat68 in the winter. 72 in the summer. Those extra few degrees use a tremendous amount of energy. Cold in the winter? Put on a sweater and your favorite cozy socks.

Choose EfficiencyQuality counts. Buy and utilize products that are the most efficient and help you save over the long term. Try using LED light bulbs, for one.

let the light bulb go off and think about how to best conserveBe Energy Savvy

so many ways to get from here to there without getting behind the wheel Travel Lite

Hop on the BusWhether you need to get around Boone or travel to a more distant place, take the bus. Use the APPALCART to get around town.

Use the StairsUse the stairs to save energy and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Elevators use way more energy than you think. Your body and the environment will thank you. Going up?

Need a Car? Use OursRegister for UHAUL CARSHARE and you are good to go. Not 25? No problem. It’s an affordable and efficient way to get around. Gas and insurance included.

Use your Human PowerMove your legs, and arrive in style. Walking, biking, even unicycling will all get you there; sometimes faster than a car or a bus. Don’t worry about parking and do your body a favor at the same time.

Home for the Weekend? Find out about your local regional public transportation options from the NCDOT.

Share the RideZIMRIDE is your ride sharing resource. Match yourself up with others going where you want to go when you want to go. This web-based resource will amaze you, save you money and make you new friends.

Drive SmarterTake your time and drive the speed limit. By driving smarter you are saving gas, creating fewer emissions, and being safer. Relax, be courteous; enjoy the drive.

so many ways to get from here to there without getting behind the wheel Travel Lite

use it again, or maybe not at allWaste Not

use it again, or maybe not at all

Bring your BagsBring a stowable, reusable bag where ever you go. From the cafeteria to the grocery store and even the bookstore, you use more bags than you think. Canvas and fabric last longer than paper and plastic.

Refill your CupCarry your own resuable cup or mug. Many places, including Food Services, offer discounts. Plus, you keep paper, foam, and plastic cups out of landfills.

Go Paperless More OftenTurn in assignments and share information digitally. Challange your club, your class and your friends to go paperless. If you must print, save money by printing on both sides.

Reuse Don’t DisposeBuy quality items that last! A cheap pair of shoes or small appliance is not cheaper if you have to replace it every year.

Recycle/Compost ItThink before you trash it. 88% of Appalachian’s current waste stream can be composted or recycled. The bins are everywhere; learn what can be recycled and composted.

Buy in BulkBuying in bulk saves money and time while limiting the waste associated with packaging. In the grocery, shop in the bulk section to avoid unnecessary packaging. Bulk items are often higher quality and lower cost.

Litter is for KittiesThis beautiful campus is our home. Stop litter when you see it.

Waste Not

what we want and what we need are seldom the sameUse Less Stuff

what we want and what we need are seldom the same

Pass it on or Swap it outHave items around your home that someone else could use? Bring your unwanted items to a local thrift store. Tired of the clothes in your closet, set up a fashion swap.

Consume Fewer ResourcesBe intentional about what you consume. Pay attention to the items and resources you consume unconsciously every day: things like napkins, ketchup, cups and bags.

Purchase QualityIf you have to buy it, buy quality. It might be more ex-pensive now, but it will last longer and produce less waste. And you are worth it.

Clean with GreenClean with products that are designed to be sensitive and friendly to the environment. These decisions lead to better water and indoor air quality; for you, for others.

ShareBefore you buy it, see if someone has one to borrow. And always offer to share.

You Don’t Need ItWhen it comes to all the stuff in your life, ask yourself: Do I really need it? Can I get by without it?

Shop LocalSupport local businesses and farmers. Spending your money in your community helps strengthen local economies and saves resources. Not only are local products often higher quality but you may build lasting relationships along the way.

Use Less Stuff

community citizenship, it’s up to Be Good in your Neighborhood

community citizenship, it’s up to

Kindness is ContagiousIt’s simple. Be good to one another.

It Really Is Up To YouGet to know Appalachian Cares for information and updates on matters of student health and safety. Find resources for help when you are uncomfortable or unsafe.

AppCares about YouText “appcares” to 50555 to easily bookmark these resources on your mobile device: Crime report, Health Services, Safe Ride, Counseling Center, Recovery Services, OAISIS, Sexual Assault Hotline, Suicide Prention. Know how to help yourself and others.

Share your Time & TalentVolunteering is a great way to get connected with your community. Appalachian has a diverse range of volunteer opportunities all over campus and beyond, and participating with organizations is a great way to meet new people.

Be In the KnowStay informed about things that matter to you. Whether it’s the local or global environment, where your food is grown or when the next 5K is happening, find a good source for reliable news and use it.

Be Good in your Neighborhood

R-E-S-P-E-C-TAlways respect your neighbors and the people who live around you. Pay attention to noise ordinances, recognize that others my have different lifestyles than you and be mindful of other people’s property, especially when parking, driving or biking.

Become a LeaderWe all share the opportunity and responsibility to make Appalachian, Boone and our world a better place. Beyond mindful and sustainable living practices, we encourage you to get involved in our communtiy, become a leader and a truly engaged Appalachian citizen. Below is a sampling of the many organizations and opportunities that exist for you to make an even bigger difference.

Find out MoreZimridePARTHickory HopUHaulCarShareUniversity RecreationFood ServicesSustainability

The entire Appalachian community has served to create this guide through its commitment to leading a sustainable lifestyle.

Zoe Croft, Appalachian Alumna 2014Tara Early, President, REIAllie Garrett, Sustainable DevelopmentNicole Loew, Web Content Specialist, Office of Sustainability

Become a LeaderWe all share the opportunity and responsibility to make Appalachian, Boone and our world a better place. Beyond mindful and sustainable living practices, we encourage you to get involved in our communtiy, become a leader and a truly engaged Appalachian citizen. Below is a sampling of the many organizations and opportunities that exist for you to make an even bigger difference.

Join a Club ASU REI ASU Sustainable Energy Society Sustainable Service Initiative Club Sustainable Development Student Alliance Sustainability & Environmental Education Club Club of Environmental Sciences Boone Bike Initiative

Ged Moody, University Sustainability DirectorJennifer Maxwell, Resource Conservation SpecialistJim Dees, Data and Assessment Specialist

A special note of thanks for the dedication and commitment to both sustainability and the creation of this guide shown by:

Sustainability is the ability to endure; an endurance that crosses all areas of life, from the natural environment to urban planning to health care, social justice and economics. Future generations can live, work and meet their needs, ONLY if our generation acts responsibly and is conscious of the effects of all we do.

I want to live in a sustainable community.

I pledge to use the Sustainable Living Guide as a benchmark of sustainable practices and a reminder to remain conscious of the fact that how we live now will affect future generations

Take the Pledge

Sign the Sustainable Living Pledge online at http://sustain.appstate.edu/sustainabilityguide