Faculty & Staff

Safe Spring Cleaning

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Molly Kagel) — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:48:00 PST

You would never spray cleaner on your food before eating it, so why prepare food on counters sprayed with it? This is a simple, natural, and safe cleaning recipe for your kitchen counters using the all-magical substance baking powder: Sprinkle baking powder on the counter you wish to clean and then scrub with a damp cloth or sponge(don't waste paper towels!). For stains, work the baking powder into a paste, leave it for a while, and then scrub. This formula is safe to use on stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops, and more!

No more junk mail!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Molly Kagel) — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:24:00 PST

Tired of the piles of junk mail haphazardly shoved through your mail slot advertising things you don't need nor particularly care about? Stop the annoyance and save paper by registering with the Mail Preference Service on the Direct Marketing Association Website for $1 to decrease junk mail by 75%. Within 90 days the floor space under your mail slot will be clean and spotless.

Check it out: use your library card to cut waste and costs

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Molly Kagel) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 PST

Everyone remembers the day they got their first library card: a momentous occasion where one had the chance to finally try out their new cursive skills on a very important signature. Then, with card in hand, the world became your oyster. A whole mountain of books are at your disposal, ready to read and return. Libraries are not just for the little ones; appeal to the kid inside of you, save money on books and movies, and reduce plastic and paper consumption by dusting off that library card and use the computer, rather than the card catalog, to search for some new reading material.

Instead of idling in your car, turn it off!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Molly Kagel) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 16:48:00 PST

Waiting for that friend in the grocery store? Early for the big meeting? Instead of idling in your car, turn it off! Starting up again burns less gas than idling for more than ten seconds. Some new cars, especially new hybrids, have new technology that automatically turns the car's engine off. According to the DailyGreen, Americans idle away 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year, worth around $78.2 billion. So while you're waiting for little Sally to finish her flute lesson, roll down the windows, tilt the seat back, turn off the ignition, and enjoy a little peace and quiet before you have to face the music.

Sustainable Summer Fun: Local Hot Spots II

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:00:00 PST

If you're searching for a way to enjoy the summer without spending a lot of time or money on traveling, consider checking out some of the great events taking place around the bay area. If you are a fan of jazz, stop by downtown Los Gatos of Wednesday nights at 6:30pm for "Jazz on the Plazz," a summer concert series featuring local jazz artists. Admission is free, so get jazzed up and give it a try!

Quick Tip of the Week!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 08:00:00 PST

Looking for an easy way to stay cool while saving some money to boot?

"The average person can save 25 percent on heat in the winter and air-conditioning in the summer just by using the added insulation of window shades." -- Thomas Kostigen

Quick Tip!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:00:00 PST

Water Saving Secret:

"If you don't have a low-flow toilet, place a half-gallon jug filled with water in the tank. Simply displacing the water could save a family more than 4,000 gallons a year." -- Thomas Kostigen, author of "The Green Blue Book"

A jug of water also works, and it can help you visualize how much water you're saving with every flush!

Quick Tip!

lcromwell@scu.edu (Sustainability Student) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:38:00 PST

Ditch the Paper Towels!
Washable cloths are far more absorbent than paper; they can soak up to 10 times their weight in liquid.

Sustainable Summer Fun: Local Travel Hot Spots

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 PST

If you're looking for some less-expensive, local vacation options, check out our weekly local hot spot suggestions!

This weeks hot spot:

Roaring Camp Railroad

Felton, California The Roaring Camp steam train through the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains is a classic California experience! This historic train ride through a preserved old growth forest of coastal redwoods harkens back to the steam locomotive days of the 1880s, when these Santa Cruz forests were part of an active logging region, and the steam railroad cars were used to haul trees to the mills. The Roaring Camp steam train ride passes through towering redwood groves and up a winding narrow-gauge grade to the summit of Bear Mountain.

For more information, check out the orginial source at: www.santacruz.com/Attractions, or the location website: www.roaringcamp.com/

Sustainable Summer Fun: Carbon Offsets

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:00:00 PST

Have plans to travel this summer? Looking for a way to lower your carbon footprint? If you're booking your trip through Expedia or Travelocity, rest easy knowing you have the option to conveniently offset your carbon emmissions when planning your trip on these sites. Both companies have partnered with TerraPass and the Conservation Fund, respectively, to use customer donations to purchase carbon credits (or offsets).

The way it works: before purchasing your ticket on Expedia, you have the option to purchase either $6 (short-haul), $17 (cross-country), or $30 (international) in credits, which will be used to fund a wind facility, a methane-harvesting dairy farm, and the Chicago Climate Exchange. Travelocity offers a similar option with their "Go Zero Program." Make a contribution ranging anywhere from $10 to $40 and the Conservation Fund will plant trees to offset the carbon emissions of your trip.

Of course, if you dont plan on booking through either of these sites, you can always go directly to the TerraPass, Conservation Fund, or other carbon-offsetting agencies to purchase credits.

Original information from: http://www.wholeliving.com/article/guilt-free-vacations

Spring Cleaning, Part III: Got E-waste?

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 24 May 2010 08:00:00 PST

If you're looking to recycle e-waste from your home or office, but arent sure where to go, look no further! Read on to learn about the different options available to you for e-waste recycling.

Sustainable Spring Cleaning, Part II

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 17 May 2010 08:00:00 PST

Have a cluttered fridge or freezer? Well dont feel too bad; according to PG&E, the more stuff you have in your refridgerator or freezer, the more efficently it operates! The theory is that solid items hold the cold better than air. So by all means, organize away, but keeping your fridge and freezer stocked will help you keep your energy costs low, and who doesn't want that?!

Healthy Food for a Healthy Planet Workshop May 21st!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:22:00 PST

Please sign up to attend our second workshop of the year, Healthy Food for a Healthy Planet: How to pick, buy, prepare, and enjoy seasonal vegetables including how to compost afterward.

Who: All staff and faculty are invited to attend. Our featured guests will be SCU's own Bronco Urban Garden, the Food and Agribusiness Institute, and Master Composter Lindsey Cromwell Kalkbrenner.

When: Friday, May 21st from noon to 1:00PM

Where: Benson Center, Room 21.

What: Come share and receive ideas on how to cook different seasonal vegetables and learn what to do with the scraps when you're through. Master Composter Lindsey Cromwell Kalkbrenner will be giving a brief presentation on how worms can be used to compost food waste following presentations by the Food & Agribusiness Institute, Santa Clara University's Bronco Urban Garden, and Office of Sustainability interns on different topics related to this important food group! There will also be a Veggie-Dish Competition, in which participants prepare and share their favorite vegetable recipes. Seasonal veggies in Northern California during late may include artichokes, asparagus, and peas!

For more information and to sign up for the Veggie-Dish Competition, please email sustainabilityintern@scu.edu

Please register for the event through Santa Clara's Human Resources web site (http://www.scu.edu/hr/calendar/?sched=29380)

Earth Day Fair this Wednesday!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:00:00 PST

Come stop by the faculty & staff table at the Earth Day Fair this Wednesday, April 21st in the Kennedy mall from 10am-4pm! Learn about the latest sustainability updates for our staff and faculty, including:

The Sustainable Office Award
Food & Worms --Workshop in May
The Sustainable Event Guide
The Beyond Green Pledge
Tips and answers to your composting/recycling questions!
a fun game and prizes!

Hope to see you there!

Looking for a good read?

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:00:00 PST

Enjoy some leisure time with a good book! Check out these Top 10 environmental books of 2009 from the Mother Nature Network. Titles from the list include Power Trip: From Oil Wells to Solar Cells — Our Ride to the Renewable Future by Amanda Little, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edward Humes’ Eco Barons: The Dreamers, Schemers, and Millionaires Who Are Saving Our Planet, and Our Choice: A Plan to Solve the Climate Crisis by Al Gore.

Sustainable Spring Cleaning, Part I

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 08:00:00 PST

Thinking about doing some Spring Cleaning? Before you get started, consider opting out of using chemical-ridden, store-bought cleaners that can, ironically, do more harm than help in regards to your health. Instead, try out some new, natural cleaners. These "Do it Yourself" (DIY) cleaners are surprisingly effective and will cost you less than the store brands. Natural deodorizers include baking soda, lemon, and distilled white vineagar, while essential oils such as eucalyptus, lavendar, and tea tree can serve as disinfectants and antifungals. For more information on natural cleaners, view the original article from wholeliving.com. Stay tuned for more Sustainable Spring Cleaning tips!

Have an Eco-Easter Holiday!

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 08:00:00 PST

Instead of using artificial chemical dye to color your eggs, try some of these natural alternatives suggested by wholeliving.com: use beets and cranberries to create a natural light pink dye, fresh spinach for a light green, red cabbage for blue, and powdered turmeric for a bright yellow! For instructions, check out the wholeliving web page! If you're planning on giving away in gifts, such as an Easter goodie basket, consider using baskets or containers you already own. Use any shredded paper you might have lying around in your home office to line your basket. Try filling it with organic, healthy goodies instead of processed chocolates. Try these treats suggested by wholeliving.com: organic fruit twirls from Fruitabu (fruitabu.com), Sjaak's organic chocolate bunny and organic chocolate eggs (sjaaks.com), Surf Sweets organic jelly beans (deliciousorganics.com), and organic Easter-egg-shaped cookies from EcoExpress (ecoexpress.com). If you want to include a plushy toy, consider checking out a Good Will (or other thrift stores), or re-gift toys you've received at prior Easters before buying new.

Spring is here! Thinking about going on a hike?

sustainabilityintern@scu.edu (Kristin Sterling) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 08:00:00 PST

Nice weather and plenty of sunshine --perfect conditions for taking a little break to go on a weekend hike! Before you go, check out these organic Trail Mixes suggested by the Sierra Club! See how they stack up against each other in their blind taste-test! Need some ideas of where to go? Check out the Bay Area Hiker South Bay Hikes web page for some possible destinations, all in our own backyard!

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.