Living Green October 2011

Volume 4, Issue 1

Housing Coordinator Continues to Live Green

U n i v e r s i t y

Living Green

A newsletter for housing residents about department sustainability initiatives

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U n i v e r s i t y

H o u s i n g

October 2011

Fall 2011 is here. It is so nice to see all the new and returning students moving about the campus. This month marks the end of my first year as sustainability coordinator for University Housing.

Looking ahead to year two, I am filled with a sense of pride in how the department values sustainability. It is a departmental priority and is incorporated in our programs, practices and planning. Within such a large department, it can be overwhelming to coordinate all these efforts. I feel like I have spent the first year mostly observing and learning. It is a big issue for the department, the campus, the community and even globally.

landfill (thanks, UGA Office of Sustainability). I think I have only had to empty it twice since the beginning of summer.

Baby step.

One of the things I have learned is that every action makes a difference, no matter how small. Baby steps are just as important as big steps. Small changes will make a difference.

I am directing office visitors to the recycling bin in our office when asked if I have a trash can for the empty drink can. Baby step.

For one thing, I have stopped using the trashcan in my office. Well, I admit sometimes trash makes it way in there, but I am really trying to take notice of how much stuff I throw away. I have a small container (maybe holds a gallon or less) that hangs on the side of my paper recycling box. It has a nice sticker on the front that reminds me that all that goes in there will end up in the

I try to remember to take my reusable grocery bag (thanks, University Housing) with me when I go shopping. Baby step. I admit I do not always remember, but I do find ways to repurpose those plastic bags, or I take them back to the store to place in the recycling bin there . Baby step.

I am drinking tap water (actually it is from the water fountain, thanks to the refillable water station we put in the fountain in my building). Baby step.

I could go on with the small changes I am making, but I challenge you to think of ways you can begin to make small changes yourself in order to make a positive difference. Please join me in taking some baby steps!!!

Article contributed by Kim Ellis, Assistant Director for Family and Graduate Housing (and housing coordinator for sustainability). She can be reached at kimellis@uga.edu.

Film Series Fall Schedule Tuesday; October 11, 2011 Tuesday; November 8, 2011 King Corn

and

Carbo2n Nation DOUBLE FEATURE

Out to Pasture

Films begin at 7 p.m. in the Rooker Hall Fireside Lounge and are Blue Card events

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Living Green

Residence Hall Association Sustainability Update

Throughout the year, the Residence Hall Association (RHA) works to promote sustainable living on campus. These efforts culminate in spring at our annual sustainability program that traditionally takes place on Myers Quad. Previously, the program has been called “Fat Green Tuesday” when held during Mardi Gras and “Kiss Me I’m Sustainable” when hosted on St. Patrick’s Day. This year, we intend to join once again with the Go Green Alliance and the UGA Office of Sustainability to show our residents what it means to be “green,” both on and off campus.

Cardboard Recycling Efforts During Move-in

This past August, University Housing established cardboard recycling areas during residence hall move-in.

Because of your efforts, 26,300 pounds of cardboard (that’s 13.05 tons!) have been recycled and diverted from the local landfills.

Thank you to all who participated and encouraged your friends to “think green.”

During our annual program, students are exposed to information about recycling, conservation and numerous other aspects of living sustainably. Although plans are not yet set for this year’s event, previous events included the distribution of reusable water bottles in an effort to reduce the use of plastic water bottles, Recyc-o-lympics, a rock wall and more. As always, RHA will work to ensure every aspect of this program, such as the food we serve, is obtained and produced using the most efficient and sustainable methods available. Also, we are considering hosting an art show that encourages students to rescue materials that would otherwise take up landfill space and create aesthetic art pieces to be judged in a contest.

puter when the office is vacant, removing phantom drains (such as phone chargers that are not in use), and utilizing electronic agendas and minutes to cut down on printing. Members recognize the importance of sustainability by making the most of the recycle bins in each of the residence halls in which they reside. RHA understands we must do our part to not just tell students about sustainability, but also be sustainable ourselves. To this end, we invite anyone who has an idea for a sustainable initiative to contact our sustainability committee chairperson Ben Bradshaw at bradshaw@uga.edu, so we can continue progressing forward to protect the future of our campus’ and our planet’s resources.

As the second largest student organization on campus, the Residence Hall Association also recognizes its own responsibility to practice the sustainable methods that the University and University Housing encourage. The RHA executive board recycles in the office and practices other green habits such as turning off the lights and the com-

Recycling Opportunities in Housing Where can you go to recycle your cans, bottles and paper? To a glutton. But what is a glutton? Well, the big, blue recycling stations located in our residence halls are called Rubbermaid Glutton Recycling Stations.

The Rubbermaid Glutton Recycling Stations provide a high-capacity, centralized solution for efficient waste sortation. They not only make one-stop recycling a breeze, but also reduce labor costs and help improve the working environment for our building services workers by creating a clean and hygienic way to

process the recyclables.

Currently, we have 66 Gluttons in University Housing, with an eventual goal of having one on every floor in each of our buildings.

Although Gluttons are added each year, if you do not have one on your floor and are unsure how you can recycle your items, please email Joel Eizenstat at jeizenst@uga.edu with your building name and floor number to ensure housing can provide you with a means to recycle until additional Gluttons become available.

Volume 4, Issue 1

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Student Spotlight: Jane Diener leadership training and engage in networking opportunities with participants. At NACURH, Jane attended several sessions on sustainability initiatives taking place at universities across the nation. In addition, she gained resources on how to run environmental programs that can be done on our campus.

The UGA Residence Hall Association would like to take this opportunity to recognize a student who exemplifies what it is to both live sustainably and promote sustainable living here at University of Georgia. Jane Diener truly has a passion for sustainability and for the environment.

Last summer, Jane was involved with the Residence Hall Association and attended the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) annual conference. The conference, held at Western Illinois University, is an opportunity for students to receive

This year, Jane serves as a Resident Assistant for Rogers Road. As an RA, Jane educates her residents on the importance of natural resources like water, trees and soil. She encourages them to participate in environmentally-friendly practices such as recycling and creating art projects out of discarded materials.

Rather than using fresh paper as the background for her bulletin boards, she uses old newspapers.

Rather than use poster mounts to hang up posters, she uses clothes lines to hang up her advertisements.

In addition to being an RA, Jane is also involved with the Office of Sustainability, UGA Gameday Recycling

and the Warnell School of Forestry Ambassadors.

Jane reminds us that sustainability is not just about being earth friendly, but also about increasing efficiency in everyday choices. “[We use] less paper not only because that paper comes from trees, but also because using less paper costs less money, uses less ink and causes less work” explains Diener.

Jane continues to challenge herself to make simple, yet significant choices to support sustainability initiatives, such as giving up paper napkins in her apartment, walking instead of driving, and reusing or recycling old binders. “Though sustainability is a challenging lifestyle, it is a simple choice,” she said.

“Remember that while not all of your daily choices need to be sustainable, things like recycling, taking a bus or carpooling and carrying a reusable water bottle are simple choices that can lead to a more sustainable and happy life.”

UGA Office of Sustainability Upcoming Events . . .

October 7

First Friday EATS “Paradoxes of Plenty” 12 p.m.; Joe Frank Harris Commons, Rotunda (1st floor)

October 26 UGA 2nd Annual Campus Sustainability Day 11 a.m.—1:30 p.m.; Sustainability Fair 2 p.m.—4 p.m.; Forum with keynote and panel guests November 4 First Friday EATS “Social Sustainability” 12 p.m.; Joe Frank Harris Commons, Rotunda (1st floor) December 2 First Friday EAST “It’s SOOO Easy Being Green” 12 p.m.; Joe Frank Harris Commons, Rotunda (1st floor) For more information about these events and additional upcoming events, visit http://www.sustainability.uga.edu/index.php?

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Living Green

The University of Georgia Division of Student Affairs University Housing Russell Hall Athens, GA 30602 Phone: 706-542-1421 Fax: 706-542-8595 E-mail: housing@uga.edu www.uga.edu/housing

Ways to Live Green in the Residence Halls Living in a residence hall does not mean you have unlimited resources.

We owe it to our community to be responsible resource consumers! Try to implement just a few of the following tips, if not all, into your daily routine to make a difference!

Water

Living Green is a quarterly newsletter distributed to University Housing residents and staff members and is written and published by the Department of University Housing at The University of Georgia.

For information about this issue of Living Green or to submit articles for future publication, please contact: Carla Dennis, Editor cadennis@uga.edu

Contributors for this issue:

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Only wash full loads of laundry or adjust the water level for the appropriate amount of clothing

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Reuse towels and other items to limit the amount of items to launder

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Turn off faucets tightly

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Don’t turn on the faucet at full blast when just a trickle of water will do

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Ben Bradshaw

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Carla Dennis Joel Eizenstat Kim Ellis Amber Painter Denise Stanchek

This means that 5% of the world’s people generate 40% of the world’s waste.

Source: http://www.recycling-revolution.com/ recycling-facts.html

Designate one glass for drinking water each day or use a water bottle to limit the amount of dishes to wash

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Buy used books

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Purchase recycled notebooks, paper and binders

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Invest in reusable shopping bags

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Reuse paper, envelopes and boxes whenever possible

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Use both sides of paper—when printing, taking notes, etc.

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Limit how many paper napkins and paper towels you use

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Drink out of reusable water bottles to save plastic

Energy and Electricity

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Utilize natural light when you can

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Turn off and unplug items when you are not using them

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Use compact fluorescent bulbs

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Do not prop doors open

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Air dry your clothing

Recycle

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Do not let the water run while washing dishes—fill the sink only as much as you need it

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Keep your shower time to a minimum; aim for five minutes or less

Other Tips

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Turn off water in the shower when you are not rinsing

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Turn off water at the sink while brushing your teeth, shaving, washing your face, etc.

Did you know . . .

The U.S. is the #1 trashproducing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year.

Report leaks and drips immediately to 706-542-3999

Paper and Plastics

Recycle materials in the appropriate bins located inside and outside of your residence hall

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Bike, ride the bus or carpool with your friends

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Get involved in an organization that supports recycling and sustainability efforts

America Recycles Day is November 15!

America Recycles Day is a nationally recognized day aimed at promoting the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encouraging more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment. Think about what you can do to renew your recycling efforts in the residence halls and across our University and local communities.