I Pledge to:
Print paper copies only when necessary and will reduce the number of pages by printing double-sided and with reduced margins.
Printing double-sided could significantly cut the amount of white paper consumed by the University each year. Reducing the print margin settings to 0.75 inches on all sides will save up to 5% in paper use, which adds up on a campus the size of the University of Utah. Academic papers may require larger margins to comply with APA and other style guidelines, so be sure to check with your professors first if you are printing a paper for a class.
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Carry a re-useable mug or water bottle instead of using disposable cups or buying bottled water.
More Utah students are enjoying the perks of using their own re-usable containers. You can refill reusable bottles with filtered water for free at the Union filling station outside of the Food Court. Chartwells provides discounts for fountain drinks if you buy one of their re-usable bottles. You can also get a discount on coffee refills with any mug you bring in. Overall you can save over $14 a month if you bring own mug and get coffee on campus.
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Bring my own reusable bags whenever I shop.
Reusable bags are trendy and easy to use. The Campus Store donates 5 cents for campus sustainability projects whenever you use your own bag or don't take a bag at all. Be sure to ask the clerk for your wooden nickel and drop it in the collection tube as you leave the store.
Choose to reuse!
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Recycle everything that I can into the correct bins on campus.
University of Utah students and staff are already working to recycle as much as possible, since almost 75% of the waste (including recyclable paper and compostable matter) from the University of Utah is recoverable. Currently the University ambitiously seeks to reduce the overall amount of its waste by 25 percent by 2015. (EESI p. 41)
The University separates high quality Office Pack from Mixed Paper with different bins. There are also bins for recycling cardboard, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles on campus.
You can learn more about Recycling at the U here . Also, click here for information about recycling in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County .
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Choose eco-friendly products, such as ones made from recycled materials, as much as possible.
When you buy recycled products you are supporting the recycling industry, and helping to conserve valuable resources and virgin materials. According to the EPA , creating a strong market for recycled products is key to completing the recycling process or "closing the loop." Consumers close the loop when they purchase products made from recycled materials.
As consumers demand more eco-friendly products, eco-labels of all kinds are multiplying, so you need to learn to spot legitimate, third-party certified labels. Beware of green washing and check out the Federal Trade Commission’s tips for understanding product claims.
You should also try to purchase from companies that have positive sustainability practices and policies. Check out Climate Counts for one such source of independent information.
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I Pledge to:
Set sleep mode on my computer and use my “off” switch on my surge protector to turn off my computer, monitor, printer and copier at the end of the day.
According to ENERGY STAR, a university can expect to save 200,000 kilowatt-hours per year (Roughly the energy needed for 27 American homes) for every 1,000 monitors that are turned off when not in use. On a typical computer, setting your computer to sleep mode can reduce energy use by 87% compared to leaving it on.
Go even further by enabling your computer's power management features. You can do this easily by going to Control Panel - Power Options. Configure your monitor to turn off after 10 minutes of inactivity, your hard drive to turn off after 30 minutes of inactivity, and your desktop computer or laptop to go into standby or sleep mode after 90 minutes of inactivity. Visit the ENERGY STAR Power Management Primer for details.
If, for some reason, you are unable to switch off the entire computer, you can turn off the monitor and your desktop printer. If you have questions about whether it is advisable to shut off your computer, please check with your IT representative.
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Turn off the lights when I leave any unoccupied room.
It does NOT require more energy to turn on a light, so always turn the lights off whenever you leave a room. According to the California Energy Commission, turning off a standard fluorescent lamp for 30 minutes a day can save about $4 in energy over the life of the lamp.
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Unplug my cell phone and other electronic device chargers when not in use.
When you turn off an electronic device, it may continue to consume energy. Energy experts label them as 'Energy Vampires.' Some of these devices include battery chargers, air conditioners, VCRs, microwave ovens, computers, and printers. A single appliance may have a standby power as high as 15 or 30 watts. This may not be very significant, but if we add up the billions of appliances that are consuming energy even when they are not being used, the power consumption is very substantial. To see how much standby power you have, visit the LBL's FAQ on standby power . Consider using a smart power strip that will shut down unneeded loads, or use a regular switched power strip and flip the switch when you aren't actively using something.
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I Pledge to:
Use alternative transportation one more day each week, so that I don’t drive alone to campus.
Alternative transportation can include riding a UTA bus or TRAX, carpooling, biking, walking or telecommuting (if approved by your supervisor).
Using public transportation can reduce stress, save you money, reduce traffic congestion, reduce air pollution, save energy, and keep you exercised and healthy, according to the nonprofit Center for Transportation Excellence
You can learn more about commuting at Travelwise Utah . Use their online trip tracker to help chart your progress. If you participated in the Clear the Air Challenge , just use the same login.
Get info about UTA bus routes.
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Walk, bike, or use campus shuttles whenever I need to get around campus.
There are numerous studies showing a myriad of health and environmental benefits that you gain from walking or bicycling (U.S. Department of Transportation ).
Have you tried the real-time online Commuter Services Shuttle Tracker? Check out http://www.uofubus.com/ . You can also text from most shuttle stops to find out when the next shuttles will arrive. Look for signs with instructions at the stops.
The University of Utah will continue to improve walkability and bicycle routes on and around campus. This will include better bicycle parking and storage and bicycle rider amenities. The U also plans to enhance connectivity between major campus destinations and on-campus intermodal hubs, including pedestrian, bicycle, and shuttle routes. (Energy and Environmental Stewardship Initiative, p. 36/37).
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Join UCarShare.
UCarShare is a service that allows you to access a vehicle by the hour without the hassle of paying for gas, insurance, parking fees or maintenance. It only costs $25 to sign up and UCarShare vehicles are available around campus and throughout the Salt Lake Valley.
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Avoid idling my car as much as possible, if I drive.
Idling wastes money and contributes to increased asthma and other respiratory problems, according to Idle Free Utah . Idling for 10 seconds uses the same amount of gas as restarting your car.
University policy states that University-owned vehicles and equipment are prohibited from idling for longer than 60 seconds except under the following circumstances:Motor Vehicle Rule (Section III.E.) for idling and other University Motor Vehicle Restrictions.California Energy Commission )
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I Pledge to:
Buy locally grown and organic foods when possible.
There are numerous positive economic and health impacts, and reduced energy consumption from eating locally grown and organic foods. Source: http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR97/ERR97.pdf
Ten reasons to eat local food:
Eating local means more for the local economy
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Reduce meals with animal protein to five times or less per week.
By simply eating less meat you can help reduce greenhouse emissions. Raising animals for food is responsible for increased deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions in recent decades. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that livestock are responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is larger than that of transportation emissions (FAO 2006 report- opens new window ).
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