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Programs
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(Also known as "UB's Little Green Book")
Table of Contents
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Produced for the THINK GREEN CAMPAIGN by the UB Green Office, University Facilities, SUNY Buffalo, 1999
Cover cartoon: Tom Toles
THINK GREEN
Definition: To be mindful of and sensitive to the natural environment in your daily life.
Thinking Green at UB
The University at Buffalo (UB) is a big place. Over 20,000 students. Lots of faculty and staff. A huge physical plant with nearly 100 buildings. It's no wonder that we have a major impact on the natural environment. Ironically, that impact is often invisible. Or at least we do not see it as we go about the normal course of our lives on campus.
The paper we use so wastefully on campus comes from somewhere, perhaps from an old growth tree in British Columbia. When it was made, a river may have been polluted. Smoke came out of a smoke stack. And we dispose of it, where does it go? Landfill or recycling plant?
Consider the energy services we take for granted on campus - lighting, heating, air conditioning. That energy comes from somewhere, perhaps a power plant belching smoke and contributing to acid rain and global warming.
The same can be said for virtually every commodity we buy and/or use on campus. It comes from somewhere. It's going to go somewhere. There are environmental impacts along the way. Thus thinking green means being aware of our interconnectedness with the world and reflecting on the unintended damage we cause nature in the daily course of our lives.
Hopefully, thinking green leads to acting green, namely, taking corrective action to make environmental responsibility and stewardship a reality.
Recommended Reading
UB Professor Emeritus Lester Milbrath is the author of an excellent book entitled "Learning to Think Environmentally - While There is Still Time" (SUNY Press, 1996). We highly recommend it!
Dr Milbrath offers the following guidance for thinking (and acting) green:
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Place top priority on preserving and restoring life systems on the planet.
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Be alert and constantly mindful of the impact of each daily activity on the flourishing of life systems.
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Learn first and then teach others how to think and act environmentally so that it becomes a way of life.
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"Every person is the right person to act. Every moment is the right moment to begin." - Jonathan Schell, author, "Fate of the Earth"
Did you know?
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On June 2, 1999, UB President William Greiner signed the Talloires Declaration, committing UB to principles of environmental sustainability in teaching, research, public service and campus operations. The Declaration is an international agreement signed by over 250 college and university presidents.
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STEP ONE IS REDUCING WASTE
The opportunity for waste reduction at UB are nearly endless. Here are some suggestions:
B.Y.O.M.! Always use a reusable ceramic or plastic mug. The latter are available from a variety of sources including UB Dining Services. A beverage discount is available from UB Dining Services when you Bring Your Own Mug (B.Y.O.M.)
Reducing your Paper Waste
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Think before you point or photocopy! Print and copy as little as possible.
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Edit on screen, not on paper.
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Save to disk instead of printing on paper.
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Use e-mail to minimize paper use.
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Send and store documents electronically instead of on paper.
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When you must print or copy, do it double sided.
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Designate a box for scrap paper and use it for printing all drafts or unofficial documents.
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Circulate documents instead of making and individual copy for everyone.
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Reuse envelopes by placing a new label over the old address.
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For campus mail, only use reusable campus mail envelopes.
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Condense mailing lists so they include only truly interested parties.
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Of course, there are other things you can do to reduce waste. If you "Think Green," you'll think of them. Let your mind go wild. Be mindful!
Did you know?
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UB students, faculty and staff annually use (and trash) 1,500,000 paper and foam disposable cups. What a waste!
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Each year, UB consumes over 120,000 reams (330 tons) of copier and printer paper. That's 14 trailer truck load full. How much of that is used for unnecessary copying and printer?
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Americans represent 5% of the world's population but we consume 30% of the world's resources.
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"I propose a different ranking system for colleges base on whether the institution and it's graduates move the world in more sustainable directions or not. Do four years at a particular institution instill knowledge, love, and competence towards the natural world, or indifference and ignorance? Are the graduates of this or that college suited for a responsible life on the planet with a biosphere." - David Orr, author, "Earth in Mind"
ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH: LET'S GET RECYCLING!
Everyone knows about recycling. It's easy. It make sense. We do it at Home. And we can do it at UB.
What's recyclable on campus?
In academic buildings, all office paper, newspaper and cardboard is recyclable. We soon hope to be recycling glass, metal and plastic beverage containers in academic buildings. In the residence halls and apartments, paper, cardboard, glass, metal and plastic containers (marked #1 or #2 plastic type) are now recyclable. Batteries and old clothes can also be recycled (see http://www.ub-housing.buffalo.edu/recycling).
What about recycling old books, telephone books or confidential documents?
Old books and phone books can be recycled in academic buildings by simply placing them in your recycling bin. Confidential documents can be recycled while maintaining privacy; for more info call 645-5958.
Where are the recycling bins?
In academic buildings, there should be a blue paper recycling bin along with a smaller clip-on black "trash buddy" under every desk. Public areas like libraries and computer labs have larger paper recycling bins. During the 1999-2000 school year, watch for new public area recycling stations in academic buildings for recycling glass, plastic and metal beverage containers. In residence halls recycling bins are generally located in common areas on each floor. In the apartments, each apartment should have it's own bin.
Do recyclables need any special preparation?
Contamination by food and other trash is the biggest problem. Be sure to put food waste and other trash in garbage containers, not recycling bins. Also, be sure that your recyclables are clean when placing in bins. Cardboard should be flattened and, when recycled in academic buildings, placed in the hallway or at the loading dock of your building.
How can I get extra recycling bins when I am cleaning my office or purging files?
Call 645-5958 to arrange for additional bins.
Who do I contact for bins, help or to get involved?
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UB Green Office, Erin Cala, Meghan Fay, Stacey Vaeth, 829-3535.
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Academic Building Recycling, Bill Bagley, 645-5958.
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Residence Halls and Apartments Recycling, Randi Mail, 645-3006 ext. 247.
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UB Dining Services Recycling, Gary Donhausser, 645-7307
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Did you know?
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UB produces about 3,000 tons of solid waste each year, over 30% of which is recycled. Our goals is to produce less waste and to increase our recycling rate to 50%. In addition to the recyclables listed above, UB also recycles tires, concrete, car batteries, construction and demolition debris and many other items. UB Dining Services also has it's own recycling program.
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UB is committed to recycling!
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Recycling not only saves landfill space but it also conserves forests and other natural resources, saves energy, and reduces air and water pollution!
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CLOSING THE LOOP: BUYING RECYCLED PRODUCTS
In order to make recycling work, collected recyclables need to be made into new useful products which are purchased and used. Buying recycled products is called "closing the loop" and we can do it here at UB.
Use Envirographic 100 Recycled Paper!
Perhaps the most effective way of "closing the loop" and "buying recycled" on campus is to use Envirographic 100 (E-100) for all copying and printing needs.
E-100 is a bright white paper which is made from 100% post-consumer content recycled waste office paper. It is also "process chlorine free" which means that no chlorine was added to make it, thus minimizing toxic dioxide-laden waste water from the paper making process. This one is a great paper!
It is available on campus at UB Central Stores in the Helm Building (North Campus). The price is right too - just a few cents more a ream than the conventional copy paper. Be sure to get your office, department or campus organization on the environmental bandwagon by switching over to E-100 today!
For more information, ordering, etc. contact Central Stores at 645-2075. For online ordering: http://wings.buffalo.edu/services/fac/admin/csorder
"Buy Recycled" for All Purposes
When buying any type of product, see if it is available with post consumer recycled content. Information about recycled content is readily available in the Staples office supply catalog and elsewhere.
Did you know?
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In 1998, only 10% of UB copy and printer paper purchases were 100% post consumer content recycled paper. But by fall semester 1999, many offices and departments were using E-100 (including public area printing facilities run by CIT and the Libraries), raising that percentage to 50% - a major campus environmental success story!
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"In every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." - Great Law of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED: TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
Each year, UB students, faculty and staff drive approximately 120,000,000 miles commuting to and from campus. That's more than the distance of the Earth to the Sun! And that's a lot of gasoline and air pollution too!
Alternative for Commuters
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Bus - South Campus is served by the NFTA rapid transit line and by a number of bus routes. North Campus is a public transit problem though it is served by the Route 44 bus which runs between downtown Buffalo, the UB South Station and Lockport.
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Bicyling - Biking to campus means living reasonably close and identifying a safe route which minimizes travel on busy streets. Good weather also helps. Biking safely to South Campus may be easier than North. Bike lanes exist on Sweethome Road from Eggert to the North Campus at Rensch entrance.
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Walking - It's good exercise and can be done around the South Campus and from Flicking Court to the North Campus.
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Drive Efficiently - If you must drive, buck the trend towards more and more wasteful vehicles and drive a fuel efficient car, i.e. one which gets 35-40 or more miles per gallon, and don't drive it any more than you really need to!
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THE WATT STOPS HERE: SAVING ENERGY
There are many ways for students, staff and faculty to help UB reduce energy waste. For example:
Lights
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Turn off unused or unneeded lights
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Use natural lighting instead of electric lighting whenever possible.
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If you have a desk lamp, make sure it uses fluorescent bulbs (instead of incandescent bulbs).
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Do not use halogen floor lamps in any campus building. These lamps are very energy wasteful and may pose a safety risk. They are illegal in UB residence halls.
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Heating and Cooling
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Dress appropriate to the season and keep thermostats at 68 degrees in the winter and 76 degrees for air-conditioned spaces in the summer.
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During the heating season, open blinds, drapes and curtains to let sun in or , if no sun, close them to keep the heat in. During the cooling season close blinds, drapes and curtains to block the sun.
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Use hot water sparingly, e.g. take shorter showers, select cold water for clothes washing, etc.
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Windows and Doors
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Unless you are handicapped, do not use automatic handicap doors.
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Keep windows and doors closed in heated and air conditioned areas.
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Close vestibule doors when they are propped open.
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Computers
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Turn off computers when they are not in use.
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Turn off printers, especially laser printers, unless printing.
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Don't use power strips to turn on all computers and desk equipment at once.
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When purchasing computers and peripherals, buy low wattage equipment certified by the EPA's "Energy Star" program.
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Minimize use of screen savers and instead enable power management features so your computer equipment will go into a low power (blank screen) "sleep mode" when not actively in use.
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Other Equipment
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Purchase only energy-efficient models.
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Turn off all energy consuming office and research equipment when not in use, e.g., copiers, refrigerators, ovens, environmental rooms, fume hoods, etc.
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Who to Contact (Complaints, Ideas, Suggestions Welcome!)
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Report energy waste to Facilities Customer Service by dialing 71 or 645-2025.
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Report any ideas for energy conservation measures or projects to Walter Simpson, UB Energy Offices, 829-2515, wsimpson@facilities.buffalo.edu
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Did you know?
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UB's energy conservation program is nationally recognized. Energy conservation measures and projects have reduced UB's energy consumption by nearly 40%, saving an estimated $9 million a year in energy costs!
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Conserving energy protects the environment by reducing fossil fuel burning and resultant air emissions which cause global warming, acid rain, and smog. It also reduces land and water impacts associated with drilling and mining fossil fuels and flooding large land areas for hydroelectricity.
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You can protect the environment by adopting an energy conserving lifestyle off campus too!
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ENJOYING NATURE
Taking time to enjoy nature is a pleasure and an inspiration in itself. It also reminds why we care about the environment and take action to protect it. Here are few ideas:
On Campus
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Take the time to smell the roses! Sit outside or take a walk on a beautiful day. A walk on either campus can be an invigoration lunchtime activity. Meetings have also been conducted while walking!
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Get outside on those bad weather days too. Experience the wind, rain and snow in your face!
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Enjoy some of the new flower gardens which are appearing on both campuses.
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On the North Campus consider a walk along the bike path on Ellicott creek, in the beautiful Letchworth Woods (near Ellicott), along portions of Bizer Creek near Crofts Hall, or to Puffer Grove near the intersection of Rensch Road and Audubon Parkway.
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Off Campus
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Western New York has many beautiful places for hiking and nature enjoyment, including Walton Woods just north of the North Campus.
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Consider joining groups like the Adirondack Mountain Club which meets every second Tuesday of every month, 7:30p.m., at the Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Highway, Amherst. Guests and visitors always welcome. ADK conducts numerous walking, hiking, backpacking, biking, canoeing and kayaking outings in the Niagara Frontier region.
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A number of good local guidebooks are available, e.g. Beyond Buffalo: A Photographic Journey and Guide to the Secret Natural Wonders if Our Region (David Lawrence Reade), Secret Places: Scenic Treasures of WNY and Southern Ontario (Bruce Kershner), Somewhere to Go on Sunday: A Guide to Natural Treasures in WNY (Margaret Wooster), and Wilderness Weekends in Western New York (Adirondack Mountain Club).
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Giving Campus a Helping Hand
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Don't litter.
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Better yet, pick up litter when you see it.
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Report injured wildlife to the Campus Public Safety (645-2222) or the local SPCA (875-7360).
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Speak out and voice your concerns about protecting beautiful spots on campus.
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Join the ETF campus land use committee. Contact Ellen Goldbaum, 645-5000 ext. 1415, goldbaum@buffalo.edu
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"The old man must have stopped the car two dozen times to climb out and gather into his hands the small toads blinded by our lights and leaping, live drops of rain. The rain was falling, a mist about his white hair, and I kept saying you can't save them all, accept it, get back in we've got places to go. But, leathery hands full of wet brown life, knee deep in the summer roadside grass, he just smiled and said they have places to go too." - Joseph Bruchac, author, Native American Stories
TAKING CARE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
UB generate hazardous chemical waste through its teaching and research laboratories, fine arts and photographic activities, office operations, health services, and maintenance programs. Even if properly disposed of, none of this stuff is good for the environment. What to do?
Laboratory Tips
Students can...
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Use as small an amount of chemicals as possible by following instructions and being exact when weighing out starting materials in labs.
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Reuse cleaning solvents like acetone for initial cleaning of dirty glassware, using fresh solvent for the final rinse only.
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Prepare chemical waste for disposal as per instructions in the hazardous waste management program.
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Never pour hazardous chemicals down the drains.
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Instructors can...
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Always provide proper waste minimization and disposal instructions to students.
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Redesign experiments to minimize hazardous chemical waste and to replace toxic reagents with less hazardous substitutes.
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Order reagents in exact amount, to avoid the need to dispose of leftovers.
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Distill and recycle solvents for use in demonstrations.
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Make sure chemical sure clearly and properly labeled.
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Art and Photography Tips
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Use non-toxic, biodegradable art supplies whenever possible.
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Replace oil-based paints with water-based paints.
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Modify spray painting techniques to minimize overspraying.
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Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners wherever possible.
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Minimize use of cleaning solvents for brush cleaning, by reusing dirty solvents for first rinse and fresh solvents for final rinse only.
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Work with Occupational and Environmental Safety Services (829-3301) to recover silver from photographic dark room (fixer) waste chemicals.
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Maintenance Tips
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Use non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning and chemical supplies whenever possible.
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Replace oil-based paints with water-based paints.
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Minimize the use of cleaning solvents by reusing dirty solvents for first rinse and fresh solvents for final rinse only.
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Develop programs to recover and recycle used solvents, oils, anti-freeze, mercury wastes (from fluorescent lamps, thermometers, switches, traps, etc.), PCB-containing lamp ballasts, and lead-containing batteries.
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Use proper equipment and maintenance procedures to prevent atmospheric release of CFCs from all refrigeration equipment; switch to ozone layer-safe alternatives.
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Use integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods. Minimize the use of pesticides; eliminate where possible.
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Who to contact
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For all questions about campus hazardous waste disposal, contact Gene Monacell at UB's office of Occupational and Environmental Safety Services (829-3301).
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To properly dispose of household hazardous waste, call the Erie County Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at 858-6800 to find out the date and location of the next collection day.
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Did you know?
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In the United States we produce approximately one ton of hazardous waste per person per year.
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Western New York has a disproportionate number of toxic waste sites.
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In 1978, the discovery of health problems in the residential neighborhood of Love Canal in Niagara Falls, N.Y. brought the danger if chemical waste disposal to national attention.
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EATING GREEN
When we eat and how it is provide can make a significant impact on the environment. Here are few ideas for reducing that impact.
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Eat lower on the food chain- Meat production can be energy, resource and pollution intensive. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes is healthier and easier on the planet. Consider exploring vegetarian options.
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Avoid throw-away plates, cups, flatware and trays. Carry and use your reusable mug. Eat at food service areas where you can use ceramic plates and cups, metal silverware and reusable trays.
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Avoid take-out food which is over-packaged.
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Recycled pizza box tops (if not contaminated by grease).
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Look for organic food produced by sustainable agriculture methods.
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For more information about the vegetarian diet lifestyle, contact Janice Cochran, Nutritionist, at the UB Living Well Center, room 223 Student Union, 645-2837.
"Every aspect of our lives is, in sense, a vote for the kind of world we want to live in." - Frances Moore Lappe, author, Diet for a Small Planet
"Somebody has to do something and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us." - Attributed to Jerry Garcia, The Grateful Dead
TAKE THE GRADUATION PLEDGE
While our activities at UB result in significant environmental impacts, what we do with the rest of our lives is of even greater consequence. Faculty in the Peace Studies Department at Manchester College in Indiana have proposed a simple graduation pledge which is now being promoted on 30 campuses nationally. It reads:
"I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider or any organization for which I work."
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(your signature)
You can take the pledge by simply signing here and saving this booklet to remind you of your commitment. Feel free to change and strengthen the language of the pledge so that it applies to all aspects of your life, nit just employment. The UB Environmental Network (UBEN) is expected to develop a campus-wide graduation pledge campaign during the spring 2000 semester.
ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYMENT?!
To find out about opportunities for socially and environmentally responsible employment, see the Graduation Pledge website: http://ARES.manchester.edu/department/peaceStudies/gpa.html
GETTING MORE INVOLVED!
For those who want to do more, there are plenty of ways to join others and become more involved. Here are some organizations which can help:
UB Green Office- This booklet has been prepared by the UB Green Office which is part of University Facilities. We staff the BCC Network (see below). We lend support to UB Environmental Task Force and energy conservation, recycling and waste reduction programs. In addition, UB Green offers the following:
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Environmental Resource Room (available to students and other members of the university community) which contains a library of environmental books, literature, video, etc.
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Student internships and independent studies which focus on environmental project and activism.
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Alternative Energy Systems (SSC385), an undergraduate environmental studies course taught by UB Energy Officer Walter Simpson.
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Solar Energy Demonstration Center to be developed during the 1999-2000 academic year.
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Our philosophy is that the campus should be used as a learning lab and that we are still students enrolled in "Earth 101," learning to live in a manner consistent with the principals of environmental sustainability and good citizenship. The UB Green Office is located in the Service Building, South Campus (220 Winspear Avenue). Contact Walter Simpson, 829-2515; or Erin Cala, Meghan Fay or Stacey Vaeth, 829-3535.
Environmental Task Force- Comprised of 25-30 staff, faculty and student members, the ETF was established in 1990 to study and reduce campus environmental impacts. Its primary job is to promote campus environmental stewardship. For more information, contact interim ETF Chair Mike Dupre, Associate Vice President for Facilities, 645-2145. for information about the campus land use committee, contact committee chair Ellen Goldbaum, goldbaum@buffalo.edu, 645-5000 ext. 1415.
Building Conservation Contacts (BCC) Network- This network sponsored by the Environmental Task Force, serves as a liaison between UB's environmental programs and almost every office and department on campus. There are 170 members who promote environmental stewardship in their areas. To find out more or to become a BCC, contact 829-3535.
UB Environmental Network (UBEN)- UBEN is a campus student environmental organization which sponsors a variety of activities and campaigns, has weekly meetings during the fall and spring semesters, and sponsors an active, informative electronic listserv for environmental news and events, UBEN plays a leadership role in UB, Go Green, an activist environmental coalition of students, faculty and staff which was formed in 1999 to respond to the recent spraying of lawn pesticides to kill dandelions on campus grounds and the loss of the natural area on the south shore of the lake LaSalle for student apartments. Website address: http://wings.buffalo.edu/sa/uben. To contact UBEN, call 645-2246 or email President Laura Mills lmmills@acsu.buffalo.edu. To contact Go Green, email Randi Mail, rcmail@acsu.buffalo.edu
Dymaxion Club- A new interdisciplinary student club which seeks to design, build and experiment with Eco-houses, i.e. low budget environmentally efficient housing. Contact Micaj Allen, mjallen@acsu.buffalo.edu
UB Environment and Society Institute- The UB ESI was established in January 1998 to promote interdisciplinary environmental research designed to resolve community environmental problems. The institute supports interdisciplinary research groups working with community stakeholder groups to address local environmental problems. Website address: http://wings.buffalo.edu/esi. Email ESI at ub-esi@ acsu.buffalo.edu or contact ESI Co-Director John Vena, 829-2975 or jvena@acsu.buffalo.edu.
ABOUT THE BOOKLET AND THINK GREEN
This booklet was produced in October 1999 for the Think Green Campaign sponsored by the UB Green Office of University Facilities in conjunction with a number of campus organizational sponsors.
Booklet text by Walter Simpson who is grateful to:
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Members of the UB community who offered suggestions and encouragement as this booklet was being developed (making it a much better booklet).
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Think Green partner organizations on campus which have joined with us in the Think Green campaign.
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Juan Gonzalez and Randi Mail for creating the UB Green website, a great resource and a central element of the campaign.
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My assistants Erin Cala, Meghan Fay and Stacey Vaeth for all their green thinking, being, energy, and commitment, and for their fine work on Think Green and this booklet.
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Mike Dupre and University Facilities for steadfast support of and commitment to campus environmental stewardship.
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Buffalo News editorial cartoonist Tom Toles for the original cover cartoon and for all his wonderful environmental cartooning over the years!
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No trees were killed to produce the text pages of this booklet which were printed on Re: Vision paper, made of 50% tree-free kenaf fibers and 50% post-consumer recycled paper fibers. Kenaf, called the "clear cut alternative," is a 4,000 year old "new" crop with roots in ancient Africa. A member of the hibiscus family, it is related to cotton and okra, and grows well in many parts in the U.S. Kenaf grows quickly and yields 2 to 5 times more dry fiber per acre than the yield for Southern pine trees. It offers a way to make paper without cutting trees. Cover stock for this booklet is 20% post consumer recycled paper.
Comments, including suggestions for future editions for this booklet and ideas for the Think Green Campaign, should be directed to Walter Simpson, (716) 829-2515, wsimpson@facilities.buffalo.edu
For More Copies of This Booklet
For more information about the Think Green Campaign or for more copies of this booklet, contact Erin Cala, Meghan Fay or Stacey Vaeth at the UB Green Office, (716) 829-3535, or Walter Simpson 829-2515, wsimpson@facilities.buffalo.edu
FOR MORE INFORMATION: THE WEBSITE!
UB has a website which serves as an umbrella for campus environmental activity. It's called "UB Green." It was created by students Juan Gonzalez and Randi Mail with help from others. Its address is http://wings.buffalo.edu/ubgreen. Check it out!
"The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems." - Mahatma Gandhi
P.S. (TOM TOLES)
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