Green Office Guide

HOW TO 驶GREEN始 YOUR OFFICE SPACE IN 32 DAYS WITHOUT ACTUALLY PAINTING THE WALLS

IN AN IDEAL WORLD, A LAUNDRY LIST OF “DO’S AND DON’TS” WOULD INSTANTLY MAKE YOUR OFFICE MORE SUSTAINABLE AND COST EFFICIENT. HOWEVER, WE REALIZED THAT THIS IS NOT AN IDEAL WORLD, AND THEREFORE, THIS GUIDE WAS CRAFTED FOR THE BUSY OFFICE EMPLOYEE. FOR THE NEXT 32 DAYS, YOU WILL FOCUS ON ONE OF THE STEPS IN THIS GUIDE PER DAY. WE UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE BETTER THINGS TO DO LIKE BALANCE SPREADSHEETS OR CHECK FACEBOOK, SO EACH STEP IS SIMPLE TO FOLLOW AND HIGHLY BENEFICIAL.

An introduction For the weary: As a Jesuit university and a leader in sustainability, a part of SLU’s mission is to be financially and environmentally responsible “for the good of society as a whole.� This responsibility goes beyond throwing recyclables in a bin and hugging any and all trees in sight. The very essence of sustainability upholds a strong connection to the Jesuit value system that both helps the environment and saves the university money. The capital conserved from a sustainable office allows the university more financial leeway to help the student and faculty population.

Environmentally speaking, human beings ravage the planet. We destroy more than we create, we use more than we need, and we discard more than what is safe. These daily decisions have large impacts on the health of our planet. In the past couple of decades, energy has become a necessity for modern life. As a society, we have evolved from searching for sources of firewood to looking for the closest outlet. However, we often take this gift of energy for granted and waste enormous amounts of electricity without even flinching. The ever-increasing

demand for energy creates more carbon emissions in our atmosphere and we slowly but surely poison the globe. Not only would flipping the switch off save the environment, but it also saves money! SLU can reallocate these funds from turning off lights to other initiatives.

Further, the University could save even more money by conserving water. The typical American uses 90 gallons of water per day. Harsh chemicals are starting to pollute our natural water sources, and fresh water is becoming limited. Turning off the spigot reduces the University’s water bill and helps humanity as a whole.

We have the tools to become a more sustainable university. With this office guide, you can make a difference with a decision to live green and save green.

DID YOU KNOW?

The slogan “reduce, reuse, recycle” is in order of importance? Not only does the slogan sound great in that order, but it emphasizes that one should reduce their consumption habits the most, reuse items secondly, and recycle lastly!

ENERGY

1.

Be Polite.

TURN OFF THE LIGHT. TURN OFF LIGHTS & COMPUTER MONITORS WHEN LEAVING THE OFFICE. ON

OFF

ENERGY

2.

LET there Be

Led.

SWITCH YOUR OUTDATED, ENERGY HOG INCANDESCENT BULBS TO CFL BULBS OR LED.

60

WATTS

Incandescent

14

WATTS

8

WATTS LED

CFL

CFL CAN SAVE 75% ELECTRICITY COST AND THE BULB LASTS LONGER LED CAN SAVE EVEN MORE!

ENERGY

3.

Appliances

Aren'tNocturnal TURN OFF COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, COPIERS AND OTHER APPLIANCES AT NIGHT AND ON WEEKENDS TO SAVE 67% OF WEEKLY ENERGY USAGE.* A printer left on overnight uses enough power to make*

Copies Copies Copies Copies

5,300

ENERGY

4.

Be a

Of Fan Fans

ADJUSTING YOUR CEILING FAN ROTATION CAN SAVE ON HEATING & COOLING. A SWITCH ON MOST FANS WILL CHANGE THE ROTATION. THESE SETTINGS WILL EITHER DRAW THE AIR FLOW UP OR PUSH IT DOWN. PORTABLE FANS ARE ALSO GREAT FOR EFFICIENT COOLING. During the winter, set your fan clockwise to push the warm air down

During the summer, set your fan counter-clockwise to circulate cool air

ENERGY

5.

When one door closes, Another opens.

Actually, Just shut them both

WHEN THE AC IS ON, CLOSE WINDOWS AND OUTSIDE DOORS, BUT KEEP DOORS OPEN WITHIN THE ROOM TO ALLOW AIR FLOW.

ENERGY

6.

THE science of

Window BLINDS USE WINDOW BLINDS OR CURTAINS TO BLOCK DIRECT SUNLIGHT THAT CAN HEAT UP AN OFFICE.

Slanted up allows less light into the room

Slanted down deflects direct light and allows for some natural lighting

ENERGY

7.

Friends SLU始S STANDARD TEMPERATURE IS SET AT 72 DEGREES. OPTIMAL COMFORT AND ENERGY SAVING TEMPERATURE LIES BETWEEN 70-74 DEGREES.

70

During the winter, heat at Degrees

74

During the summer, cool at Degrees

Sidetip: Adjust the temperature

gradually; significant temperature change uses a large amounts of energy.

ENERGY

8.

Space heaters will

Destroy us all SPACE HEATERS USE MORE ENERGY THAN ALL YOUR LIGHTS, COMPUTER, PRINTER, AND OTHER OFFICE APPLIANCES COMBINED. YOU MIGHT AS WELL USE A COUPLE OF SWEATERS INSTEAD OF POWERING A SPACE HEATER.

ENERGY

9.

Overs

Don't worry, your

Left

Will stay cold

SET THE REFRIGERATOR TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 30-40 DEGREES AND THE FREEZER BETWEEN 0-5 OR SWITCH TO POWER SAVE MODE FOR MOST ENERGY SAVINGS.

ENERGY

10.

EnergyVampires MOST APPLIANCES AND CHARGERS USE ENERGY WHEN THEY ARE NOT EVEN IN USE. THESE APPLIANCES USE UP TO ABOUT 10% OF ELECTRICAL USAGE WITHOUT POWERING ANYTHING. TO KILL THESE VAMPIRES, GARLIC AND WOODEN STAKES ARE NOT REQUIRED! INSTEAD, PLUG YOUR APPLIANCES AND DEVICES INTO POWER STRIPS OR UNPLUG THEM WHEN NOT IN USE.

Sidetip: These power strips can be purchased at your local supermarket for $5-$15

ENERGY

11.

Catching More Than

z’s

SET YOUR COMPUTER TO SLEEP MODE WHEN NOT IN USE. SLEEP MODE REDUCES THE POWER USAGE TO 10% OF NORMAL CONSUMPTION. USE THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO CHANGE YOUR SETTINGS.

ENERGY

11.

If you use windows 7 1. Go to your Start button in the bottom left corner of the computer screen 2. Click on Control Panel 3. click on “Hardware and sound” then “power options” 4. Under Select a Power options, click on “Change power-saving settings” 5. Select power saver mode

If you have a Mac 1. Open System Preferences 2. Choose Energy Saver 3. Select “Put Display to Sleep after 10 Minutes” 4. Select “Put Computer to Sleep after 15 minutes” 5. Check “Put the hard disk(s) to sleep when possible” 6. There is no hibernation option on a Mac but the sleep setting uses very little energy

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

12.

Trust The

Tap

BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE OR MUG TO UTILIZE THE NEW WATER BOTTLE REFILLING STATIONS ON CAMPUS. SLU HAS 61 STATIONS SPREAD OUT ON CAMPUS. Last year SLU saved Bottles from going To the landfill

232,751

Check out the Sustainability map for station locations http://tinyurl.com/k6x5ts2

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

13.

BINFOR THEWIN

ENSURE THAT EASILY ACCESSIBLE SINGLE STREAM RECYCLING BINS ARE IN THE OFFICE. IF YOU DON始T HAVE A BIN, REQUEST ONE THROUGH YOUR CUSTODIAN OR THROUGH FAMIS.

FAMISWEB.SLU.EDU

ANYONE UP FOR A GAME OF

RECYCLING

BASKETBALL?

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

14.

LEFTOVERS

ARE ALWAYS BETTER

THE NEXT DAY

BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH TO WORK. REUSABLE CONTAINERS USE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS RESOURCES THAN PURCHASING YOUR LUNCH AT A RESTAURANT.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

15.

Skip

The usual

Burger & fries

GO TO FRESH GATHERINGS FOR LUNCH (UTILIZING A SHUTTLE TO THE MED CAMPUS) FOR AN ORGANICALLY AND LOCALLY GROWN MEAL. NUTRITION AND DIETETICS UTILIZES LOCAL VENDORS, AN ON-SITE ORGANIC GARDEN, AND AN ORCHARD TO PRODUCE MEALS.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

16.

THINK BEFORE YOU INK GET TO KNOW SLU始S NEW MANAGED PRINTING SERVICE, BLUE PRINTS. THIS SERVICE REDUCES THE NUMBER OF PRINTERS USING LARGE AMOUNTS OF ENERGY ON CAMPUS WHILE ALSO SAVING PAPER AND MONEY ON PRINTS. BEFORE PRINTING, USE PRINT PREVIEW TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF EXTRA PRINTS, PRINT DOUBLE SIDED, AND PRINT IN GRAYSCALE.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

17.

Play With

FONTS

CERTAIN STANDARD FONTS LIKE GARAMOND, CAMBRIA, OR CALIBRI ARE EASY TO READ AND CAN THEREFORE BE PRINTED AS A SMALLER FONT SIZE. THE SMALLER THE SIZE THE LESS PAPER AND INK YOU USE! ALSO, YOU CAN PLAY WITH YOUR MARGINS ON MICROSOFT WORD TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF VERBIAGE ON EACH SHEET OF PAPER.

Garamond Garamond Garamond Garamond

Cambria Cambria Cambria Cambria

Calibri

Calibri Calibri Calibri

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

18.

Electronic Revolution TAKE PART IN DIGITIZING YOUR RECORDS! SEND EMAILS OF PDF始S INSTEAD OF PRINTING HARD COPIES. ONLY PRINT HARD COPIES WHEN NECESSARY.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

19.

Donate anything With a

Cord

RECYCLE ELECTRONIC WASTE THROUGH A FAMIS SERVICE REQUEST, DROP OFF SMALL ITEMS IN CFK BOXES AROUND CAMPUS, OR STORE YOUR ITEMS AND RECYCLE THEM AT THE ANNUAL E-WASTE DRIVE IN THE SPRING.

Sidetip: Last year, the e-waste drive diverted 67,154 pounds of material!

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

20.

RECYCLE YOUR TONER AND INK CARTRIDGES THROUGH XEROX, RETURN THEM TO YOUR VENDOR, OR DROP THEM OFF AT ANY CFK BOX POSTED AROUND CAMPUS IN RESIDENCE HALLS AND THE BSC.

Sidetip: Go to the link to make

your own CFK box http://ow.ly/D7Jw1

PURCHASING

21.

The

Power Of the Purchase

MAKE GREEN PURCHASES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PRINTER PAPER; BUY RECYCLED CONTENT PAPER OF AT LEAST 30% RECYCLED MATERIAL. OFFICE SUPPLY STORES OFFER A VARIETY OF RECYCLED CONTENT PAPER FOR LESS THAN A FEW PENNIES MORE PER SHEET.

Look for this logo!

PURCHASING

22.

greenClean

CLEAN YOUR OFFICE WITH MANY AVAILABLE GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE OFFICE PRODUCTS. HARSH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS ARE BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND POLLUTE THE AIR AND WATER. CHECK OUT OUR SUSTAINABLE CLEANING OFFICE GUIDE. ...OR YOU COULD PROBABLY JUST USE VINEGAR! LINK TO OFFICE CLEANING SUPPLY LIST

PURCHASING

SHOP GREEN 23.

WHEN BUYING OFFICE SUPPLIES LOOK FOR ECO-CONSCIOUS OPTIONS TO FIND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS TO PURCHASE SUCH AS SURGE PROTECTORS, B2P PENS (BOTTLE TO PEN), TAPE, AND PAPER. THE STAPLES 驶EASY ON THE PLANET始 PRODUCT LINE OFFERS A VARIETY OF SUSTAINABLE OFFICE OPTIONS. HTTP://WWW.STAPLES.COM/SBD/CRE/MARKETING/EASY-ON-THE-PLANET/

PURCHASING

24.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD CHOICES?!

IF ORDERING FOOD IN OR CATERING FOR A PARTY:

MAKE SURE YOUR FOOD IS LOCAL (TO REDUCE SHIPPING POLLUTION & MATERIALS) SERVE WATER IN JUGS (TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES) USE DINING WARE THAT IS REUSABLE OR COMPOSTABLE.

Sidetip: The meat industry produces more greenhouse

gases than all the SUV’s, cars, trucks, planes, and ships in the world combined. From a carbon footprint perspective, chicken is 8 times better than beef and vegetarian dishes are 17 times better than chicken.

PURCHASING

25.

READY FOR ARECHARGE?

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES COST MUCH LESS THAN DISPOSABLES IN THE LONG RUN. THE COST OF A SET OF RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES AND CHARGER IS RECOUPED AFTER RECHARGING THE BATTERIES 7 OR 8 TIMES. THESE BATTERIES CAN BE USED MORE OFTEN THAN DISPOSABLES WHICH CONTAIN HARMFUL CHEMICALS. Disposable Rechargeable

Sidetip: Drop used batteries off at the

Information Desk in BSC, Litteken Hall, or DuBourg Hall room 247/248

PURCHASING

26.

OUT WITH THE OLD

IN WITH THE NEW

WHEN PURCHASING REPLACEMENT APPLIANCES, LOOK INTO ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES SUCH AS REFRIGERATORS, MICROWAVES, TOASTERS, COFFEE MAKERS, COMPUTERS, PRINTERS, SCANNERS, AND COPIERS THAT USE 20-25% LESS ENERGY.

Look for this logo

RECOGNITION

27.

HIGH

FIVES FOR EVERYONE

VERBALLY RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES AND CO-WORKERS WHO ARE ACTIVELY SUPPORTING OFFICE SUSTAINABILITY.

How to give A high five: 1. Find partner

2. Place hand in air at 90 degree angle 3. Look at other person’s elbow 4. Swing hand

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

28.

BIKING

BILLIKENS

UTILIZE THE MANY BIKE RACKS AROUND CAMPUS AND BIKE TO WORK. BODY ODOR AND PIT STAINS CAN BE AVOIDED BY USING THE SHOWER STATIONS ON CAMPUS. Check out the Sustainability map for station locations http://tinyurl.com/k6x5ts2

or check out Trailnet for faqs about biking and other programs TRAILNET.ORG/WORK/BICYCLING/FAQ/

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

29.

CHECK OUT

THAT VAN?!

IF YOU NEED TO CARPOOL OFF CAMPUS FOR A CAMPUS GROUP OR UNIVERSITY BUSINESS, CHECK OUT A VAN FROM SLU始S TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO UTILIZE THE VAN POOL PROGRAM. HTTP://WWW.SLU.EDU/FACILITIES-SERVICES-HOME/DEPARTMENTS/ TRANSPORTATION-SERVICES/VAN-RENTAL-SERVICE

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

30.

BIKES? TRAINS?

PLANES? OKAY, MAYBE NOT PLANES

REGISTER FOR RIDEFINDERS OR CMT FOR FREE! BOTH SERVICES PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS THAT REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES AND PROVIDE A GUARANTEED EMERGENCY RIDE HOME.

WWW.RIDEFINDERS.ORG WWW.CMT-STL.ORG

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

31.

USE THE LINK TO SEE IF YOU CAN TAKE THE METRO TO WORK. NOT ONLY WILL IT CUT DOWN ON GAS CONSUMPTION BUT ALSO REDUCE YOUR COMMUTE TO WORK. TRIPFINDER.METROSTLOUIS.ORG

want more information about sustainable transportation options?

SLU.EDU/FACILITIES-SERVICES-HOME/SUSTAINABILITY/CAMPUS-OPERATIONS/TRANSPORTATION

ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION

APP

GET THE

32.

UTILIZE ONE OF THE SHUTTLES ON CAMPUS INSTEAD OF DRIVING FROM PLACE TO PLACE. CHECK THE LIVE STATUS OF THE SHUTTLE AND GET AN ACCURATE ESTIMATE OF ITS ARRIVAL TIME USING SLU始S DOUBLEMAP APP OR THE SLU MOBILE APP. SLU.DOUBLEMAP.COM M.SLU.EDU/INFO/

CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE GREEN GUIDE AND YOUR OFFICE IS NOW WORKING MORE EFFICIENTLY AND SUSTAINABLY. CONTINUE THESE PRACTICES TO HELP THE UNIVERSITY SAVE MONEY AND SAVE THE PLANET! THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING