What You Can Do

 

 

• Be Energy Smart
• Recycle and Reduce Waste
• Join the Sustainability Task Force
• Educate Yourself

 

Be Energy Smart

Lighting

• Turn-off lights when leaving the room
• Use natural lighting instead of lamps when possible
• Do not use halogen lights
• Use limited task lighting when possible
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs

Heating and Air Conditioning

• Dress to the season
• Unplug electric appliances when not in use
• Set your thermostat sensibly
• Adjust your thermostat to a higher or lower temperature when you're not there
• Don't use automatic doors unless you need them; this brings in cold/warm air from outside

Computer and Office Equipment

• Turn off computers and other office equipment at the end of the day
• Enable power-save mode for computers, printers, copiers, other office equipment
• Eliminate non-essential office equipment by consolidating and sharing under-used equipment
• Buy equipment with an ENERGY STAR label

Energy tips adapted from University of Wisconsin's "We Conserve" campaign.

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Recycle and Reduce Waste

• Reduce, reuse, recycle.
• Keep recyclables out of trash.
• Only print or copy what is needed.
• Send electronic copies of documents whenever possible.
• Use the "print preview" function to find errors before printing.
• Print and copy double-sided.
• Reuse one-sided office paper by bringing it to the Student Success Center for use in tutoring.
• Use a reusable mug or water bottle whenever possible.
• Buy durable and reusable items rather than disposable items.
• Reuse cardboard boxes by bringing them to the loading dock for use in outgoing shipments.
• Use cloth instead of paper towels when possible.
• Pack your lunch in reusable containers and use a reusable bag or lunchbox.
• Don't take the plastic bag or the disposable utensils when you get takeout—use your own reusable utensils.

See additional green tips.

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Educate Yourself

Check out these resources that will help you learn more.

Have questions? Need more information? Have an idea? Please contact the Sustainability Center.

• Allessandra Kummelehne, sustainability coordinator
• (708) 709-3764, Room 2630
• acairo@prairiestate.edu