Sustainable Office Assessment Project (SOAP)

Refill your ink cartridges

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:47:10 PST

It takes a gallon of oil to manufacture one inkjet cartridge. Reduce this amount (and our dependence on foreign oil) by having them refilled instead of buying a new one every time. Depending on the cartridge, you may get up to 10 uses from refilling the same cartridge. This also saves up to 75% of the cost of a new one!

Watch what (and how) you eat

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:45:13 PST

Invest in a waterbottle, reusable mug, tupperwear, or a lunchbox. Not only will you save money you would've spent on bottled water and plastic baggies, but you'll cut down on the waste you produce. Bringing your lunch to work can save you a lot of money throughout the year and promotes healthy eating.

Search for scrap

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:43:51 PST

Paper clips and discarded staples are prime candidates for reuse. They are made of steel, which is one of the most valuable recylable products. These products can be recycled as scrap metal with your steel cans.

Reconsider your commute

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:40:31 PST

Try taking the CalTrain, bus, or other modes of transportation to work. If this isn't possible, talk to co-workers about developing a carpool system (you'll save gas money too!)

Looking to burn extra calories? Give walking or biking to work a shot.

Green your office with greenery!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:48:44 PST

Purify with plants.

Plants like philodendrons and peace lilies absorb airborne pollutants, keeping the air you breathe clean and clear.

Dirty keyboard?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:47:27 PST

Forgo bad chemicals. Just one 10-oz can of chem duster has the same greenhouse gas-creating effect as burning 100 gallons of gas.

Instead of using these toxic keyboard cleaners, turn your keyboard upside down, give it a little shake, and slide a piece of two-sided adhesive tape between the keys.

Take the stairs!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:46:09 PST

A surefire way to save energy...take the stairs!

Climbing stairs burns up to 10 times more calories than standing in an elevator. Depending on type, capacity, and usage, an elevator's yearly energy usage can equal the energy used to power seven homes annually.

Search green!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:41:28 PST

Who would've thought you could search the web and help the planet?

Check out these free search engines that support green causes and save energy.

How they work...
-Same results. Query results are pulled from Google or Yahoo databases.
-Donations. Each search done through a charity search engine generates about $0.01 for their cause. This money comes from advertisements on the search engine sites.
-Save energy. Search engines with dark background colors (instead of white) consume up to 20 percent less energy than typical engines.

Sites to try:
-Goodsearch
This engine is powered by Yahoo and donates 50% of revenues to a charity of your choice at the time of the search.
-Blackle
This is an unofficial "dark" version of Google that uses less energy than the white version on some screens. Another site with a similar concept is The Green Spider.
-Green Maven
Though it's not for charity, this Google-based search engine searches this "Green Web," yielding results from green-related sites only.

Print only what you need

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:38:36 PST

Print sections of documents.

If you need a small amount of information from a large document, highlight the section you need, and check the 'print selection' box.

Preview before you print

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:37:58 PST

Use "print preview."

Minimize wasted paper by checking your documents for blank pages or irregular margins before hitting print.

Print double-sided

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:36:43 PST

Print and copy on both sides of paper.

Make sure your printer and copier's default settings are "duplex" or "double-sided" printing.

Download a pdf guide to help you print double-sided.

Tips for printing from the Internet

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:36:07 PST

Copy and paste the website text you need into Microsoft Word. Adjust the margins, font, and font size as necessary. Many sites have unnecessary pictures, graphics, and large text which waste ink and paper.

Edit online

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:35:17 PST

Use Track Changes and Comments.

Use options in Microsoft Word when possible for paper-free document editing.

Share documents electronically

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:34:16 PST

Don't print unless you must.

Transmit information on disks, CDs, zip drives or through e-mail when possible.

Reduce energy consumption in the kitchen

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:27:59 PST

Don't use a refrigerated water dispenser.

Most offices that have a water cooler also have a refrigerator. If you like cold water, keep a reusable bottle in the fridge. The fridge is already there to keep things cool!

Keep your fridge full

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:26:33 PST

Keep your fridge well stocked and clean. A freezer uses more electricity when there is excessive frost buildup. Also, a refrigerator is most efficient when it is three-fourths full, so make sure you keep it well stocked. Remember to choose local and organic food!

Choose ENERGY STAR

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:25:47 PST

Energy Star appliances are specifically certified for being energy efficient.

Start by replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Seventy percent of what comes off the 100-watt bulb is heat (wasted energy).

Screensaver does not mean energy saver

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:24:15 PST

When a computer, especially computers in a lab, are not being actively used (such as not being touched for an hour), they should be turned off, including the monitor.

Electronics in standby or screensaver modes continue to draw power. For laptops or desktops, you can pick a setting that will automatically turn the computer off when it isn't being used.

For PC's: Go to 'Start' -> 'Control Panel' -> On the left, click 'Switch to Classic View' -> 'Power Options' -> Choose 'Max Battery'. Make sure Hibernation is on, and that the hard disks turn off after 45 minutes.

According to Treehugger.com, 17-25 percent of household electricity consumption is due to vampire power - energy wasted in standby appliances. The estimated cost to US homes and businesses: $1 - $3.5 billion / year.

Use the sun

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:23:31 PST

During the day, use natural lighting rather than bulb lighting.

It is much more soothing to the eyes, it's free, and it's good for the environment. When you aren't using lights, make sure to turn them off.

Ask Facilities for large containers

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 04:22:42 PST

Recycling made easy.

Call or e-mail Facilities (x4742 or Facilities-CSC@scu.edu) a few days before your major clean out. They can supply you with the recycling and waste containers you'll need, taking care of delivery and pick up.

Just say no!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 02:42:54 PST

Reduce waste by opting-out of a printed phone directory.

Choose one or two people in your department to receive a printed directory and share them among your department.

Learn how to opt-out, and help the Office of Marketing and Communications reduce waste.

Know the current recycling and waste instructions

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:21:19 PST

Unsure of what can and cannot be recycled at SCU?

View the most updated recycling guides. Categories include paper, corrugated cardboard, beverage containers, scrap metal, electronic waste, batteries, and ink cartridges.

Donate old office supplies

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:17:46 PST

Off-campus programs may benefit from your extra office supplies.

If you have extra office supplies (binders, folders, etc) a great place to donate is the Resource Area For Teachers (RAFT), a non-profit organization that provides inexpensive teaching materials to enrich education and community group programs.

Someone's trash is another's treasure

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:15:20 PST

Facing a daunting move? Begin the process by posting your unwanted items (office furniture, office supplies, etc.) on the SCU Classifieds web site. It's easy, simple, and free! Be sure to check the Classifieds site often if you are looking for items for your new workspace.