Faculty & Staff

Going on a trip? Offset your emissions!

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:01:00 PST

CO2 offsets fund projects that have a positive ecological effect (like planting trees), thereby nullifying the negative effect of the pollution you create. Different programs benefit different projects, so you can choose to fund anything from solar stoves in African villages to containing methane from dairy farms. Here are a variety of sites to try with different focuses!

Car
- Carbonfund: a nonprofit organization, so your contribution is tax deductible!
- NativeEnergy and TerraPass: each of these have tools to help you calculate your travel CO2.
Plane
- Expedia and Travelocity both let you offset when you book plane tickets online.
- Some airlines, like Delta and United, include a carbon offset checkbox when you are booking tickets.
Train
- Amtrak partners with Carbonfund, allowing you to offset 2,500 miles for $5!

The Offset Consumer lists the best offset providers, taking into account different ratings criteria.

Make the best choice next time you grab fast food

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:01:00 PST

If you're on the road and have to grab something quick to eat, try to stop at these places versus others. Au Bon Pain, Chipotle, and Starbucks are better options, featuring some local and/or organic ingredients, recycled paper products, and more. Of the Top 10 most-frequented fast food restaurants, McDonald's and Subway are your best bets, incorporating recycled paper in their napkins and building storefronts that use eco-materials.

Use foil instead of plastic wrap

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:01:00 PST

Unlike plastic wrap and waxed paper, you can buy 100% recycled aluminum foil and recycle it! It's better for your health too. Plastic wrap and waxed paper are made from petroleum and some contain carcinogenic PVC. Try Reynolds Recycled Aluminum Foil-just like conventional foil but in 100% recycled form. Go to Earth911 and type in aluminum foil and your zip code to find out if you can recycle it locally. It doesn't have to be spotless, but remove large chunks of food before putting it in the bin.

Cleaner clothes

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:01:00 PST

Did you know that many powder laundry detergents are petroleum-based? Additionally, the fragrances and harsh solvents (like ammonia) found in many popular brands can trigger allergies, asthma, and cause skin irritation. You can skip unhealthy chemicals and reduce packaging waste by purchasing concentrated eco-friendly options. Here are some brands to try: Mrs. Meyer's Laundry Detergent (concentrated), Ecover Laundry Powder, OxiClean Free, and Dropps (liquid detergent packets that biodegrade during the wash cycle. Approved by the EPA’s Design for the Environment Program. Click here to view a list of all products that participate in this program).

Snacks on a plane

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:01:00 PST

Planning ahead for your next flight will save you money and help reduce waste. Airlines use about 1 million disposable cups every 6 hours. By opting out of food and drinks you don’t want (or asking the crew to fill up your own reusable water bottle) means less trash. Since many airlines now charge for food and certain drinks, bring your own! You can also avoid overpriced bottled water in the terminal by simply filling yours up at the nearest water fountain.

Check for PFCs

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:01:00 PST

PFCs (perfluorocarbons) are commonly found in stain guards, beauty products, and nonstick pans. PFCs have been linked to organ damage and hormone disruption. They accumulate in our bodies and circulate there for years. Additionally, they never fully break down in nature! In gas form they warm the atmosphere up to 6500x more than carbon dioxide (i.e. are signifcant contributors to global warming). The EPA is currently looking to phase them out of many products. Here's how you can avoid them:

Decline stain-resistant treatments on carpets, clothing, and furniture, or buy products that aren't stain guarded and apply a non-PFC based option yourself (like Nikwax).
Check your personal care product labels for the words "PFTE" or "perfluoro" in the ingredients. Items like lotions, nail polish, powders, and shaving cream often contain them.
Greasy foods like french fries and microwave popcorn sometimes come wrapped in PFC-treated packaging.
Choose cast iron or greener nonstick cookware options instead of Teflon.

The Environmental Working Group lists products and manufacturers that use PFCs.

Put a lid on it

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:10:00 PST

Although plastic lids and covers are recyclable, most processors end up throwing them away--but there are ways you can avoid sending them to the dump. Check with your local recycler to see if the plant's set up can handle small covers and lids. Small lids can fall through filtering screens at plants and don't get recycled. Another option: take your caps into any Aveda store and they'll recycle them for you (they have to be the common, #5 plastic type).

Regifting

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:09:00 PST

Think about packaging your presents in materials that the giftee can use again (like cloth) for a less-wasteful version of gift-giving. If every American family wrapped just three gifts in reused or reusable materials, we’d all save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields, every year. Try using a brightly patterned scarf, cotton cloth, tea towel, sarong, or drawstring cotton bags!

Dry wash

jgore@scu.edu (Jenny Gore) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:08:00 PST

Instead of washing your car at a car wash, or even doing it at home, try using a waterless car wash. Just spray and wipe! Washing your car uses up a lot of water, especially during summer months when water is already scarce. Eco car cleaners don’t have ammonia in them, commonly found in car washes, which degrade rubber and window tint on your car over time. One $20 bottle can provide up to eight washes! Try the Eco Touch Waterless Car Wash Kit.

Sun dry

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:00:00 PST

As the weather gets warmer (and air conditioning starts taking a toll on your energy bill) consider drying your clothes in the sun outside! You can help offset your bill and enjoy that sun-dried scent.

Greener meat

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:00:00 PST

Try purchasing "grass-fed" meat the grocery store. Grass-fed beef, bison, and lamb have less total fat, cholesterol, and calories than grain-fed. Additionally, grain-fed meat production requires huge amounts of water to produce feed and wash out cow waste at factory farms. Most grass-fed producers move their herds so that pastures don't get overgrazed (which leads to desertification and erosion). And, grass-fed animals tend to live more humanely, with access to the outdoors and food they'd naturally eat.

Stay cool

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:59:00 PST

Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with window air conditioner units to help spread cool more effectively, without greatly increasing your energy use.

Dishwashers save!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Lindsey Cromwell) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:58:00 PST

Did you know your dishwasher actually saves water? If you only run it when it's full you can conserve more than 3,400 gallons of water per year.

Calculate your office footprint

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 11 May 2009 01:21:59 PST

If you're curious about the size of your office's carbon footprint, use this easy calculator to figure it out! Then look for tips on this site or others to try to reduce it.

Easy composting

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:16:55 PST

Have you always wanted to try composting but never been sure how to get started? There are all kinds of resources on the web, but try "How to Make Compost" on eHow if you want to learn how to start a basic compost pile.

DIY home energy audit

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 01 May 2009 03:06:02 PST

Find the best ways to save energy in your home by giving yourself this home energy audit with this online calculator. If you're just starting to think about your home energy consumption, this is a great place to begin.

Beyond Green!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:59:27 PST

Help create a sustainable SCU! Take a personal pledge to develop a more sustainable lifestyle, focusing on conservationn, economic equality, and civic engagement. You can take the free pledge online and receive a sticker, pin, and pledge wallet card via intercampus mail!

Cleaner produce

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:53:41 PST

To safely (and cheaply) remove pesticides and other residue from your produce, try a mixture of water and white vinegar instead of expensive produce wash. Researchers found a diluted vinegar rinse kills 98% of bacteria on produce—even more effective than a scrub brush! Mix water to white vinegar 3:1 in a spray bottle and rinse with water after you spray.

Turn down your water heater

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:53:02 PST

If you have a tank water heater, turn down the temperature a bit to save 6%-10% on water heating costs. Many installers set heater to 140°, but you can comfortably get away with closer to 120°, which is still hot enough to get your dishes clean. If you’re going on vacation, you can turn electrics off completely, or turn gas ones down to the lowest setting. Just remember it takes 30-60 minutes to completely heat back up.

Donate your old glasses

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:52:05 PST

There are many organizations that will redistribute your old glasses to people in need. Reusing glasses also means saving the energy and materials needed to create a new pair. You can even request a receipt to save money on your tax return! Visit OneSight, which connects you to local businesses that collect old glasses (like LensCrafters, Sears, Target, or your local Lions Club). You can also mail your glasses in, just make sure to request a receipt!

Greener grass

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:48:48 PST

About 50-70% of the water in a typical American household goes to the lawn and garden. Save money and water by watering your garden early in the morning. Up to 30% of water used for midday watering will evaporate, while nighttime watering causes your garden to stay damp longer, sometimes leading to mold. Also try letting your grass remain 2-3 inches longer—longer grass keeps moisture better because it shades its roots.

Post-it digitally

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:47:37 PST

Try using digital desktop notes that act as reminders on your computer instead of Post-its. They’re cost free and reduce paper waste! Try Stickies, a free sticky-note program for PC users.

Forego the receipt

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:41:38 PST

There are over 8 billion ATM transactions in the US each year--imagine all the receipts that end up in the trash! Consider opting out a receipt next time you're at the ATM--or anywhere you have the option.

Home energy savings

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:39:54 PST

Check out this article from the March 2009 National Geographic about saving energy at home. Writer Peter Miller decided to try to cut carbon emissions by 80% in his home each month and discusses the challenges (and cost savings!) he encountered.

Be an informed consumer

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:39:30 PST

The little stickers on your fruits and vegetables indicate whether they're conventionally grown or organic, and also indicate if they're genetically modified. Next time you're at the supermarket, look at those pesky stickers!

A four-digit number means it's conventionally grown
A five-digit number beginning with 9 means it's organic
A five-digit number beginning with 8 means it's genetically modified

Give a little more

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:36:19 PST

Next time you're struggling to find a present for someone, consider making a donation to that person's favorite organization or cause they support. Not only will be contributing to the greater good, but you'll reduce waste involved in purchasing and wrapping a gift.

Check out Kiva, the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. You choose someone to lend to by browsing entrepreneurs' profiles and then make the loan. Throughout the course fo the loan (usually 6-12 months) you can receive progress updates and track payments. Then, when you get your loan money back, you can reloan to someone else!

Support CSA at SCU

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:29:30 PST

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) cooperatives bring together local farmers and consumers. As a member of the cooperative, you pledge to help cover costs and in exchange, you share in the harvest. Many CSA farm are also organic and operate sustainably. You benefit from fresh, locally grown produce and simultaneously reduce carbon emissions.

Did you you can support CSA right on campus? The Arrupe Partnerships for Community-based Learning collaborates with the locally run Catalán’s Laughing Onion Farm. CSA boxes of seasonal vegetables are delivered to SCU every other week. Interested in learning more? Click here!

Get involved--RecycleMania!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:56:21 PST

RecycleMania is a ten week competition between colleges and universities throughout the US and Canada to see which schools can reduce their waste and recycle the most material. The competition began January 18, 2009 and lasts until March 28. Visit SCU RecycleMania to learn more and see how Santa Clara is doing!

Shop green

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:52:52 PST

Visit The Green Guide to start making more environmentally friendly purchases. These guides provide information and helpful shopping tips for items from vacuum cleaners to beer.

Recycling styrofoam

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:44:37 PST

Styrofoam is toxic to manufacture and constitutes, by volume, up to 30% of landfills worldwide. Styrofoam lasts practically forever without decomposing. SCU does not currently have a styrofoam recycling policy, but if you're interested in recycling it independently, here are some ideas.

Reuse any forms of Styrofoam packaging you receive (for moving, packages you send, etc)
Collect peanuts in a large plastic bag and donate to a local shipping center for reuse. Visit the Plastic Loose Fill Council website to find a shipping center near you that accepts loose fill
Instead of using rocks for draining purposes in potted plants, try peanuts or pieces of Styrofoam

Where does it go?

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:39:52 PST

Have you ever wondered what recycled materials are used for? Here are just a few reincarnations of recycled materials.

Newspapers: packaging building insulation, paper egg cartons
Aluminum cans: new cans, aluminum siding for houses
Plastic bottles and milk jugs: lawn furniture, plastic lumber, planting pots
Glass: decorative tiles, paving material, new glassware
Steel cans: construction beams, auto parts, appliances

Earth friendly dry cleaning

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:53:52 PST

The majority of dry cleaning businesses in the US use perchloroethylene (perc) based cleaning solvents. Perc is a known carcinogen and even short term exposure can cause many central nervous system related problems. This not only poses a risk to those working in the dry cleaning industry, but the chemical is still active when you bring your clothes home. Look for "green" dry cleaners that use a more earth friendly substitute. For more information, click here.

Confused? Look no further!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:36:55 PST

Overwhelmed by the plethora of green jargon and terminology? You're not alone! Greenlivingtips.com offers a basic list of words frequently used in reference to living green.

Green events

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:07:42 PST

Office events and parties are a great opportunity to implement green practices. Try sending invitations via email or post an announcement in in a common area instead of printing individual invites. Make sure you have clearly labeled your trash and recycling containers. Consider making any necessary supply purchases in bulk.

How have you successfully "greened" one of your office events? Feel free to share your ideas and tips with us!

Save it

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:29:01 PST

Screensavers don't save your screen, but they are sapping energy. Most people assume that by activating screensavers they prevent a ghost image from being permanently burned onto the screen, thus extending the life of the monitor. Thanks to the new liquid crystal displays (LCDs) this is no longer a problem. Take advantage of the power settings on your computer instead of relying on screensavers, which depending on the computer's model, can consume up to 100 watts.

Keep your fridge (and belly) full

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:32:31 PST

A well-stocked and clean refrigerator unit goes a long way. Freezers use more electricity when there is excessive frost buildup. Refrigerators are most efficient when they are three-fourths full. Try filling up with locally produced and organically grown food.

Recycling made easy

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:13:25 PST

Unsure of what can and cannot be recycled at SCU? View the most updated recycling guides. You'll be surprised at what you can recycle! Print out a handy, ready-made recycling guide and post it in your office's common area to spread the good news. Visit the recycling FAQ site for more information, or to ask a recycling question that you've been wondering about.

E-share

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:09:32 PST

When possible, transmit information on disks, CDs, zip drives, or through email. Don't print unless you must! These methods are also great ways to back up your work without having to print and store hard copies.

Get your money's worth

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:59:56 PST

Print and copy on both sides of paper. Make sure your printer and copier default settings are duplex or double-sided. Don't know how? Here's a guide to get you started. The clean side of once-used paper functions well as scratch paper or for faxes.

Print smarter

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:51:44 PST

There are many ways to eliminate unnecessary print jobs. Use the Track Changes and Comments functions on Microsoft Word for paper-free document editing. When you do have to print, make sure to use Print Preview before you hit print to check for blank pages or irregular margins.

Search green

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:29:11 PST

Who would've though you could search the web and help the planet? Check out these free search engines that support green causes and save energy. Query results are pulled from Google or Yahoo databases, but each search done through a charity engine generates about $0.01 for the cause.

Sites to try: Goodsearch, Blackle, Green Maven, The Green Spider

Give back

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:24:00 PST

If you have extra office supplies (binders, folders, etc), consider donating them to RAFT (Resource Area for Teachers). RAFT is a non-profit organization that provides inexpensive teaching materials to enrich education and community programs.

Another option is the SCU Classifieds site, which is easy to use, simple, and free!

Just say no

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:19:39 PST

Reduce waste by opting out of a printed phone directory. Choose one or two people in your department to receive a printed phone directory and share. Contact the Office of Marketing and Communications to request removal from their list.

Make the most of office equipment

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:10:44 PST

Activate the sleep modes for printers, copiers, and fax machines so they'll sense inactive periods. Even better, consider consolidating these functions by purchasing an Energy Star certified machine that performs multiple tasks. IBM Corporation estimates it saved $17.8 million in one year by encouraging employees to turn off equipment and lights when not needed.

Keep your cool...and warmth

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:07:54 PST

Use automatic setback thermostats to adjust the temperature for weekends and evenings. According to TIME magazine, heating, cooling, and powering office spaces are responsible for almost 40% of carbon dioxide emissions in the US and account for more than 70% of total electricity usage. In the winter, lower your thermostat by two degrees. In the summer, raise it by two degrees. You can save approximately 10% on your electricity bill by doing this in your office (or at home!)

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.

Purify with plants

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

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