Pull the plug on your COMPUTER

If all faculty & staff turn off their computers and power strips every night (in addition to keeping them on energy saving settings while running) … Together we can save $13,000 a year!

• Unplug your computer every night and preferably every time you leave your office for more than 1 hour.
• Plug all electric devices into a power strip and turn off your power strip every night (electric devices consume a small amount of power even when they are shut off and plugged in – this is called vampire power or phantom loads). You can request an office power strip from Tech Services.
• Make sure your laptop/desktop is set to an energy saving mode. (green.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/oe/power-windows.pdf)
  

Sun in, LIGHTS off

If all faculty & staff rely on sunlight and turn off their lights for 4 workday hours every day … Together we can save: $6,000 a year!

• We need sunlight! It makes for a happier, healthier work environment. So, take advantage of office windows to let in light.
• On sunny days, you may not need to turn on overhead lights. If you can't get by on sunlight alone, try using a 12 Watt CFL lamp instead of the fluorescent overhead lighting.
• In the summer months, use blinds to focus sunlight on the ceiling, where it can provide light without adding excess heat.
• In the winter months, let the sun in! Sunlight can raise the temperature of a room several degrees, even on a cold day.
• If a room is not in use, please make sure the lights are off.

Thoughtful printing saves PAPER

If all faculty & staff cut back on printing by 5% (500 sheets) this year … Together we can save: $16,000 & 24 trees a year!

• Print double-sided when option is available. Refer here for help with duplex printing: www.meredith.edu/techserv/general/campusprinting.
• Use 0.5 margins.
• Rely on digital copies, blackboard, & email.
• Avoid printing extra copies for print jobs.
• Reuse the back of paper.
• Recycle paper whenever possible.
• Cut back on junk mail, credit card offers & catalogs delivered to home & office (www.dmachoice.org, www.optoutprescreen.com, www.catalogchoice.org)

When possible, avoid using SPACE HEATERS

If all faculty & staff stop using personal space heaters for 1 month a year … Together we can save: $2,500 a year!

• Be mindful that space heaters use a lot of energy.
• Report to Facility Services whenever your office heating is not working properly.
• Space heaters can be a safety issue as well. Never leave a space heater on when you are not in your office.
• Dress for your office climate.

Bring your own BOTTLE

If all faculty & staff pledge not to use disposable water bottles in 2011-12 … EACH of us can save $550 a year!

• Don't leave your home or office without a reusable mug or bottle.
• Avoid buying bottled water. Raleigh tap is safe and healthy. When you choose buying bottled water, you're throwing away your money and contributing to millions of tons of waste every year.
• Learn More: www.storyofbottledwater.org

*BONUS* Model sustainable behaviors for STUDENTS

If faculty and staff inspired the entire Meredith community to take part in green behaviors like the ones listed above, together we could save 1-3 % of Meredith's annual energy bills (which total almost $2.2 million) for a potential savings of over $200,000

 

Don't keep sustainability a secret… be visible about your green decisions. Let students know you're trying, so they should try too.

 

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Sources:

Manufacturers' specifications, Energy Star (DOE), and Office Equipment Energy Savings Calculator (LBL)
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.conservatree.org
http://takebackthetap.org
http://www.newdream.org/water/calculator.php

Walter Simpson, University of Buffalo Energy Manager and author of AASHE’s “How to Guide to Climate Action Planning.”

 

In this Issue:

Meredith Campus to Celebrate Student Achievement April 14
Tony Award Winner Twyla Tharp to Speak at Meredith April 13
Five Simple Ways to Work Sustainably at Meredith
Own a Part of Meredith's Heritage
From the President’s Desk
Faculty/Staff Accomplishments
Upcoming Events
News Briefs

 

Have you presented research or attended a professional meeting recently? Has your department earned an award? Share news of these accomplishments and more with the Meredith community. Faculty and staff are invited to email items to Melyssa Allen, “Campus Connections” editor, at allenme@meredith.edu.