Residential Life Sustainability Guide
Welcome to USD! We’re happy you’re here. This guide will inform you about the sustainability efforts at USD and provide you with resources to be a Sustainable Torero. You will learn what you need to know to live sustainably at USD and beyond.
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• Introduction...................... 4 • Sustainability at USD....... 6 • Eco-living on Campus...... 7 • Get Involved.................... 18 • Tips and FAQs………...... 20 • Resources....................... 23 • References...................... 24
Table of Contents 3
What is Sustainability? •
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs. (Brundtland Report, 1987)
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Idea that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment (EPA, 2016).
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3 essential pillars: social, economic, and environmental (Caradonna, 2016). Also referred to as: people, profit, planet.
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Can be implemented into our daily lives in a variety of ways including but not limited to: energy conservation, waste reduction, water conservation, alternative transportation, an environmentally conscious diet, and eco-friendly purchasing. 4
Why is sustainability important?
We are responsible for providing a better future for ourselves and for future generations. We need clean air, natural resources, and an environment that is conducive to the health and well-being of all, in order to maintain healthy populations. At the current rate that we are using resources and producing waste, that is not possible. According to the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), many of us live beyond the world’s means, especially in terms of energy and land use (WCED, 1987), using more resources than are available. “It would take 5 Earths to support the current human population if everyone’s consumption patterns were similar to the average American” (University of Michigan, 2018). 5
395 sustainability-related courses offered
7% of electricity generated by 5,000 solar panels 28.4% energy consumption decrease since 2010
30 electric vehicle chargers on campus
Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ encyclical on caring for our common home, informs USD’s mission to reduce our environmental and social impacts. It inspired USD to name Care For Our Common Home as one of the six strategic pathways within Envisioning 2024, the university’s strategic plan.
18% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 2010-2017
14.03% water consumption decrease from 2010-2019 6
Eco-living on Campus 7
Green Move In
Purchase items for your room at second-hand stores such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army
Store boxes under your bed, saving them for move out
Separate trash and recycling; dispose of in the proper bins
Save money by bringing what you can from home
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Energy Unplug electronics when fully charged Don’t charge hand-held electronics overnight Use power strips and turn them off when not needed Use LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs Turn off the lights when leaving the room Use natural lighting as much as possible Use sleep settings on your computer when away for 10+ minutes and shut down computer when not in use Use heating only when necessary and when in use maintain thermostat at ~72° Fahrenheit or lower Open windows instead of using fans when possible
Did you know... ~33% of USD’s electricity comes from a fuel cell in the West Parking Structure 9
Water Turn off the tap while scrubbing dishes, brushing teeth, or shaving Report leaky faucets and running toilets to Facilities immediately by submitting a Work Request online isd.sandiego.edu/home.html Did you know...
Decrease shower time
A small faucet drip can easily waste up to 20 gallons of water per day 10
Waste Use refillable, BPA-free plastic or metal water bottles instead of single-use water bottles Avoid purchasing items with excess packaging Upcycle as much as possible (jars, cans, coffee pods) Donate or sell clothing that you no longer use or need Recycle. Most plastic, aluminum, glass, and paper are accepted at USD Buy rechargeable batteries. Recycle non-working batteries in the battery collection bin for your hall
The Sustainable Torero’s Tool Kit Reusable shopping bags Reusable water bottle and coffee mug Reusable utensils Cloth napkin Reusable container- such as an eco-lunchbox Reusable straw (stainless steel, bamboo, silicon, glass)
Use cloth (instead of paper) towels and napkins Store leftover food in reusable containers or cloth bags; avoid plastic bags, cling wrap, and aluminum foil Limit ‘clean’ paper use; use scrap paper when possible
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Recycling
1. Check the number At USD, plastics 1, 2, & 5 can be recycled
2. Keep it clean Make sure the item is rinsed and free of residue or liquid
Did you know... Recycling one ton of plastic:
3. Recycle Constants
Saves 5,774 kWh energy Saves 16.3 barrels (685 gallons) of oil Saves 30 cubic yards of landfill space
4. Don’t Contaminate No plastic bags, foam, soiled paper or cardboard, plastic utensils, or plastic straws
5. When in doubt, throw it out! 12
Did you know that a clean kitchen’s best friend is baking soda? Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water to make an all purpose cleaning solutiongreat for cleaning appliances and deodorizing refrigerators.
Clean Green Use microfiber towels or rags to clean instead of single-use paper towels or wipes
Did you know... 90% of the energy used by washing machines is used to heat the water
Buy natural cleaning products or make your own Laundry Only wash full loads Wash clothes on cold; most of the energy used from washing clothes comes from heating water Use a drying rack or hang clothes to dry If not dirty, wear clothes more than once before washing Tip: Find recipes for homemade, natural cleaners online. 13
Did you know...
Eco-Resident Certification Program The USD Eco-Resident Certification Program is a joint project between the University of San Diego and San Diego Gas & Electric. The program is designed to help students living on campus become more sustainable in their daily actions. It is an opportunity for students to receive oneon-one feedback to help lower their ecological footprint and set a positive example for others living on campus. The Eco-Resident process includes a 45 minute questionnaire-guided conversation between a student and the Office of Sustainability Eco-Resident Student Assistant. The resident will receive personalized tips and explanations, as well as an eco-friendly gift.
Eco-Residents receive cool, sustainable gifts!
Did you know... 56 students have been Eco-Resident certified since Dec. 2017 14
Zero Waste Events
Did you know... The average American produces 4.4 pounds of trash per day
Whether you’re planning a luncheon for your club, hosting a small get-together in your dorm, or organizing an event on campus, events often produce excessive, unnecessary waste. Strive to make your events zero waste.
What is zero waste? Zero waste is a principle that entails handling discarded materials, or waste, as commodities for reuse rather than for disposal, and conserving those commodities through waste prevention, recycling, composting, and other technologies (Environmental Services Department, 2016). 15
Use the Office of Sustainability’s Zero Waste Event Guide for guidance on how to host a sustainable, zero waste event!
Inside you’ll find...
USD’s Commitment to Zero Waste How to plan a Zero Waste Event Tips and Suggestions Event Checklist Waste Separation Instructions Additional Resources
Available at sandiego.edu/sustainability Resources
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Year-Round Donations & Move Out
There are plenty of opportunities to donate unwanted items. In an effort to divert material from the landfill and assist those in need, USD partners with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for our donation program- all acceptable donations benefit local veterans. Donate any unneeded/unwanted items - clothing, linens, housewares, electronics, books, or toiletries. Non-perishable food items can be donated to the USD Food Pantry (collection boxes in res halls).
Did you know... In 2018, Toreros donated nearly 50,000 lbs. of items to DAV
Collection bins are placed in or near all residence halls, outside of the SLP, and at the West Parking Structure tram stop. (Since moving out of dorms produces an immense amount of waste, USD provides extra recycling bins and donation boxes for students at the end of spring semester.) 17
Get Involved! 18
Take Action on Campus Join sustainability-oriented student orgs./clubs: • Be Blue Go Green • Student Vegans United • Net Impact • Fair Trade Club • Marine Science Club Combat food waste with faculty and staff members by joining the End Food Waste Alliance. Apply for an Associated Students Sustainability Grant to fund YOUR sustainability project/idea. Work part-time for the Office of Sustainability as a student assistant and/or receive internship credit.
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Tips Food
School Work
Dorm Room Purchasing
Eat vegetarian or vegan when possible Eat poultry more often than red meat When dining in the SLP, do not use to-go boxes or plastic utensils Take only what you will eat in all-you-caneat situations Leave food scraps on your plate in the SLP when returning dishes; food goes into a BioHiTech Digester that converts leftover food into greywater, reducing the amount of food waste that goes to the landfill Going out to dinner? Bring your own reusable containers for leftovers Avoid using plastic storage or takeaway bags for food storage Buy organic/local produce when possible; buying in season also helps decrease cost Buy in bulk; bring your own bags/containers to the grocery store for package-free food Avoid individually-wrapped snacks
Buy used or electronic books, or check them out from the library Only print class readings when required (respectfully voice disapproval of such requirements to your prof. or the dept.) Take notes on your computer if permitted Consider a reusable notebook, like a Rocketbook Everlast Use double-sided printing Refill printer ink cartridge at the university mail center Use whiteboards to study instead of paper
Avoid single use decorations that will be thrown away at the end of the year Prioritize items from local shops, thrift stores, and online resale resources- such as Craigslist and Freecycle Use essential oil diffusers as air fresheners, instead of aerosol sprays Choose organic cotton or other sustainable materials, such as bamboo, when buying sheets, curtains, and towels
Energy Use
Use campus transportation instead of your own to go to classes and on-campus events Walk or bike instead of driving when your destination is <1.5 miles or a 30 minute walk If possible, use stairs instead of elevators Carpool (inc. Uberpool and Waze Carpool) Take public transportation when possible
Plug electronics into power strips and easily turn everything on and off with the flick of one switch, preventing unnecessary energy usage Turn off lights when you leave a room
Transportation
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FAQs Where can I find bike racks on campus?
Check out the USD Campus Sustainability Resources Tour (sandiego.edu/maps/) for bike rack locations. You can take a virtual tour of sustainable features on the USD campus, such as solar-powered umbrella charging stations, an experimental greenhouse, an EnergiPlant, and more.
Where can I buy local, organic foods on campus?
On-campus, at Tu Mercado and La Paloma, you can find local and natural foods. Tu Mercado is a grocery shop that features earth-friendly products: foods, health, beauty, and home goods. Tu Mercado is a NACUFS “Best in the Business” Campus C-Store award winner for incorporating Sustainability into a Campus Store (2010). La Paloma’s menu features sustainable, local, delicious food at its core. All dining locations feature alumni-owned, locally operated, Ryan Bros. Fair Trade, organic coffees and teas. 22
Resources
To find out more about sustainability at USD, visit the Office of Sustainabilityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at
sandiego.edu/sustainability/ Follow us @usdsustain
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Caradonna, Jeremy L. Sustainability: a History. Oxford University Press, 2016. “Environmental Facts.” Ecocycle, ecocycle.org/ecofacts. Environmental Services Department. City of San Diego Zero Waste Plan. June 2016. https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/environmental-services/pdf/recycling/ZWPlan.pdf. “Sustainability.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 18 Oct. 2016, www.epa.gov/sustainability. United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, ed. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987. Climate Action Plan. University of San Diego. Fall 2016. https://issuu.com/universityofsandiego/docs/nov21_usd_climate_action_plan.
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