Greenifying SLC Info Session
Greenifying SLC Info Session
Technology and the environment. What can you do to help greenify SLC, your home, and your community?
- Introduction
- Greening Movement in Tech
- Moving to laser printers in 08-09
“Climate change is an important environmental issue. The broad consensus of established scientific experts is that warming can be attributed to human activities. Significant steps are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” Intel
What you can do at home and in the office?
- Go paperless
- Pay bills online
- Change the margins/Print only what you need
- Paper – Reuse it or don’t use it
- Text message directions to your cell phone
- Stop receiving junk mail
- Batteries (laptop, iPod, etc.) – Read the instructions
- TV, VCR, DVD players – Flip the switch or unplug the cord
- Telecommute
- Donate your old cell phone
- Swap your CDs, DVDs, books, games, movies, and more
Online Resources:
- Sarah Lawrence Sustainability Page – http://slc.edu/greening/
- The Freecycle Network – http://www.freecycle.org/
- Earth 911 – http://www.earth911.org/
- Westcheter Department of Environmental Facilities – http://www.westchestergov.com/envfacil/
- Electronics Take Back Coalition — http://www.computertakeback.com/the_solutions/recyclers_map.cfm
- GreenPrint – http://www.printgreener.com/
- Green Disk – http://www.greendisk.com/
- Grist – http://www.grist.org/
- Alternative Community Training – http://www.actrecycling.org/
- Recycler’s World – http://www.recycle.net/
- U.S. Department of Energy (Turning Off Computers) – http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/appliances/index.cfm/mytopic=10070
- Swap media (books, cds, dvds, etc.) – http://www.eswapnow.com/
- Receive daily greening tips via e-mail – http://www.idealbite.com/
Online Snail Mail & E-mail Opt-Out Resources:
- Official – Change can happen in the government. Do Not Mail is a movement trying to stop junk mail before it gets to your mail box. They’re also on Facebook.
- Official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry – https://www.optoutprescreen.com
- Unsolicited Mail, Telemarketing and Email – http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt063.htm
- Direct Marketing Association Consumer Assistance Site – https://www.dmachoice.org
- DirectMail.com National Do Not Mail List – https://www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/
- EcoLogical Mail Coalition – http://www.nativeforest.org/stop_junk_mail/nfn_junk_mail_guide.htm
- EcoLogical Mail Coalition (for businesses) – http://www.ecologicalmail.org/
- Catalog Choice – http://www.catalogchoice.org/
- GreenDimes – http://www.greendimes.com/
Uncommon items that CAN be recycled:
- Cell phones
- Lithium Ion Batteries
- Regular single use batteries
- CD/Jewel Cases/Cassette/VHS Tapes
- Juice/Soy Box Cartons
- Hard plastics such as water bottle or laundry detergent lids
What does SLC do?
- Lab Computers – All computers are turned off at the end of the day.
- CRTs – All CRTs have been removed from campus.
- Computers – In the past computers were given away to staff and faculty. Presently old computers and old computer equipment is donated and/or recycled.
- Printer Cartridges – Please bring used cartridges to the Help Desk.
- Saving energy – If you’re not using your computer, monitor, printer, scanner, or speakers it’s a great idea to turn it off or even unplug it. Don’t forget to unplug your cell phone charger!
- Projectors – Projectors should be turned off upon the completion of a presentation.
- Paper – The pay for printing model has significantly reduced the amount of paper discarded.
- Keyboards – Old keyboards are stored in a closet. No plans are in place to discard or recycle.
- Mice – Old keyboards are stored in a closet. No plans are in place to discard or recycle.
What can you do?
The Big Ticket Items
- Donate – Old computers, old cellphones, and any other electronic device. You may not have need of older technology but someone else can use it.
- Junk Mail – How many catalogs or pieces of junk mail do you throw away? Billions of pieces are mailed every year.
The Smaller Ticket Items
- Unplug the power – Many products manufactured today draw power while plugged in even if the device is not on. Some examples: a laptop power adaptor, the TV, the DVD player.
- Paper – Any and all paper can be recycled in the SLC recycle bins.
- Bins – Instead of throwing the plastic or glass bottle into the garbage, use the plastic or glass bin. SLC recycles but only if you recycle.
A Common Question
- Blakl Vs. Google – Google took part in the Earth Hour event and addressed the white Vs. black background question here.
Green Tech in the News:
- CNET’s green electronics guide – Click here
- My year as a green-living beta tester – Click here
- Earth in HD from the Space Station – Click here
- Google News (sorted by date) – Click here