Reduce waste in dining facilities. Use what you take.

·       Take only what you need, including food, condiment packets, paper napkins, straws, plastic drink tops, and other disposable items.

·       When you dine in, use real silverware, cups, and plates instead of disposable dinnerware.

·       Take only silverware that you will use. Whether you have used a utensil or not, it must be washed, using energy, water, and cleaning agents.

·       When you take food to go, use your own utensils and beverage containers whenever possible.

·       Buy beverages in recyclable containers instead of paper or plastic cups.

Reduce paper waste: When copying and printing.

·       Only copy materials that you really need.

·       Use copiers properly to avoid misprints.

·       Make double-sided copies whenever possible and request double-sided printing at copy centers.

·       Print single-spaced drafts of documents and double-spaced copies for final versions only. (Print Preview allows you to determine page limits).

·       If you print it, pick it up. Often, people send documents to network printers and never pick them up.

·       Reuse paper that has been printed on one side for scratch or note paper, or drop it off in Reprographics for others to use.

Go paperless: Use your computer instead of paper.

·       Edit documents on screen rather than printing copies.

·       Use the Print Preview function to view documents before printing.

·       Save files and e-mail messages electronically. Don't print hard copies of everything.

·       Post information on the Web or use e-mail instead of printing flyers.

·       Use the computer projection system to give quizzes to your students instead of copying short quizzes.

·       Print two quizzes on one page and cut in half for short quizzes.

·       Eliminate printed handouts and Powerpoint slides during meetings.

Conserve Energy

Lighting:

·       Turn off unnecessary lighting. Rely on low-wattage task lighting or daylight whenever possible.

·       Install motion sensors in common areas.
 

Office/ Classroom practices:

·       Reduce thermostat settings.

·       Dress comfortably for the weather; adjust your layers before adjusting the thermostat.

·       Turn off office equipment that is not being used, such as printers and copiers (unless such machines are "Energy Star" certified units that reduce energy consumption during periods of inactivity).

·       Keep rooms cool by closing shades, especially in empty conference rooms, offices, and common areas.

·       Use energy-saving settings on computers.

·       Use laptop computers if possible. They consume 90% less energy than standard desktop computers.

·       If possible, use ink-jet printers. They consume 90% less energy than laser printers.

·       Purchase energy-efficient equipment.

·       Select the right-sized copier. A mid-volume copier in a low-volume office can use up to 70% more energy per page than a low-volume machine.

·       Turn off electric space heaters. (If you are uncomfortably cool, put on a sweater.)

Home:

·       Avoid opening refrigerators and freezers more often than necessary.

·       Postpone using washers, dryers, and dishwashers until after 7 p.m. (or later) during an alert.

·       Avoid using high-wattage appliances, machines, and illumination.

·       Dress in layers to avoid using fans or portable heaters.

·       Purchase Energy Star products including PCs, monitors, printers, copiers, and fax machines, especially models that “power down” after a user-specified period of inactivity.

·       Purchase energy efficient fluorescent light bulbs.