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Personal Commitment to Sustainable Living 2008-09

Do you have a sustainable lifestyle?

At the Evergreen State College we nurture values and practical skills that motivate a lifetime commitment to a sustainable, intergenerationally just way of living on a healthy planet.

By participating in this pledge, I, (optional), am demonstrating my commitment to a socially just and environmentally responsible lifestyle.

My Evergreen affiliation is (pick one):

Energy

1) Turn off the lights every time I leave an area. More →
If anyone has ever told you that you are wasting energy by turning a light on and off, they’re mistaken. Last March, more than 50 million people around the world united for one hour and turned off their lights. Earth Hour 2008 was the biggest voluntary power down in history. It inspired many people and businesses to change their energy habits and promote sustainable living. Encourage your classmates and colleagues to switch the lights off in offices, seminar/meeting rooms, and other areas when they are not in use. Whenever you leave an area for more than a few minutes, make it a habit to switch the lights off.
Learn more: http://www.earthhour.org
2) Lower the thermostat. More →
Heating and cooling systems account for 56% of the energy used in homes today. It also accounts for a large percentage of the energy used at Evergreen. Make the commitment to save energy and reduce carbon emissions by keeping the thermostat at no more than 68 degrees in the winter time. When gone for the weekend or on vacation, reduce your thermostat to 55 degrees. Lowering the thermostat by just one degree can save up to 3% of heating system energy use and prevent harmful greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.
Learn more:http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/washebmg.html
3) Turn off your computer monitor when it is not in use. More →
Unfortunately, screen-save mode does not save energy. Leaving your monitor in standby mode rather than switching it off uses unnecessary energy and creates CO2 (greenhouse gas emissions). Make the commitment to turn off your monitor when you’re not using it.
Learn more: http://www.oregondeq.org/lq/pubs/factsheets/sw/ComputersMonitors.pdf
4) Turn off surge protectors or power strips whenever possible. More →
Many of the devices we plug in are constantly draining electricity, even when they're switched off. If you don't feel like unplugging six different electronic items every time you're not using your home theater or other electronic equipment, simply plug them into a single surge protector and turn the device off. This kills power to the surge protector's outlets, while still protecting against surges.
Learn more: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/energy-saving-surge-protector.htm/printable
5) Unplug laptop/phone chargers/adapters when not in use. More →
Energy Star states that most conventional battery chargers, even when not charging your stuff will still use up to 20 times more energy than is actually stored in the battery!
Learn more: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=battery_chargers.pr_battery_chargers
6) Unplug all electronics and appliances when not in use. More →
Whenever possible, take a moment to unplug your computer accessories, stereo system, alarm clock, microwave, or TV. These items continue to draw electricity even when they are turned off. This is commonly referred to as vampire power of phantom load. It is also a very good idea to get in the routine of unplugging and defrosting your fridge and freezer before every break or long vacation: it will save a tremendous amount of energy.
Learn more: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/appliances/index.cfm/mytopic=10020
7) Only wash laundry in cold or warm water. More →
Washing clothes in cold water will drastically reduce the amount of energy used to wash your load of laundry. According to the US Department of Energy about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water. There are two ways to reduce the amount of energy used for washing clothes—use less water and use cooler water. The cold water setting on your washer machine will do a good job of cleaning your clothes.
Learn more: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/laundry.html
8) Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when lighting the areas that you use most often. More →
According to ENERGY STAR, if every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL bulb, we could potentially save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. Replace your incandescent light bulbs with more energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs.)
Learn more: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls
http://www.theolympian.com/wheredoitakemy/story/473929.html

Food

1) Reduce your food waste in the CAB/Home/Dorm. More →
Starting this Fall Evergreen will begin the new Food Plus Recycling program. Food Plus Recycling will make it easy to compost the food, paper, and tableware that we use in the CAB. You will simply toss your compostable wastes into special carts that will be conveniently located throughout the CAB. Food-soiled napkins, paper towels, tableware, and scraps that would normally go to a landfill, will be converted into a nutrient-rich compost to grow more fruits and vegetables. If you make a commitment to recycle all of your compost food and paper you will be protecting the environment and saving on the cost of trash disposal.
Learn more: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/wwm/Recycling_and_Disposal/Recycle/Composting/Compost_foodplus.htm
2) Eat lower on the food chain. More →
Eating less meat can contribute to a healthier diet and a healthier planet. In 2006, a report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations stated that livestock production is one of the major causes of the world's most pressing environmental problems, including global warming, land degradation, air and water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Using a methodology that considers the entire commodity chain, it estimates that livestock are responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, a bigger share than that of air travel.
Learn more: http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0612sp1.htm
http://www.fao.org/ag/magazine/0612sp1.htm
3) Eat local and/or organic foods whenever possible. More →
Eating organically grown food is healthier for us and our environment. Organically grown food uses no harmful pesticides or fertilizers and no system of farming has higher animal welfare standards. Did you know that it takes 1500 miles for the average food item to reach your plate? Eating locally grown food supports area farmers and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. Support Evergreen’s Organic Farm! Visit their farm-stand on Red Square every Tuesday and Thursday from 11am to 5pm during the growing season.
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/cell/organicfarm.htm

Additionally, a LOCAL farm map has recently been created listing all of the farms in Thurston County that sell their goods directly to consumers. Use this great guide for making that direct connection; to help you find products grown, raised and made by your neighbors.
Learn more: http://fertileground.org/foodshed/Index.htm

Water

1) Drink from the tap and help to “Ban the Bottle”. More →
Ban the Bottle is a campus-wide initiative to raise awareness about the negative health impacts of manufacturing, drinking from, and disposing of plastic bottles. Furthermore, water from the tap is more thoroughly regulated than bottled water. Therefore, it is often safer, less expensive, and a cleaner option. The long-term goal of “Ban the Bottle” is to eliminate the purchase of plastic bottled water on campus and provide re-useable water canteens that can be filled by water stations across campus. The energy we waste manufacturing and transporting bottled water is enough to power 190,000 homes. Last year, the average American used 167 disposable water bottles, but recycled only 38. In total, Americans used about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year.
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/sustainability/banthebottle.htm
2) Never leave the water running in the sink. More →
When brushing your teeth, wet your toothbrush and then turn off the water. While you shave, rinse your razor in a partially-filled sink instead of under a running tap. The average faucet uses roughly 3 gallons per minute. Leaving your faucet on for just 3 minutes every day could waste up to 3276 gallons of water each year!
3) Take 3-5 minute showers. More →
Showers account for two thirds of most people’s water heating costs. Reducing your shower time would not only save you hundreds of dollars per year but would also prevent hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the Earth’s atmosphere. Evergreen has begun to install low-flow shower heads and two button dual flush high-efficiency toilets in our continued effort to save water and reduce carbon emissions.

Waste

1) Reduce the environmental impact of your potlucks, conferences and events by striving towards zero waste. More →
The Evergreen State College is committed to zero waste by 2020 as specified in our 2007 Updated Strategic Plan and in our Campus Master Plan. The road to zero waste will not be easy – but everyone in our community agrees that the goal of significantly reducing our landfill waste is an effort worth pursuing. Whenever you host or plan for an event, consider the potential sources of waste and efforts you can take to reduce that waste. For example, use compostable, recyclable, or reusable plates, tableware, cups, napkins, etc. In our endeavor to achieve zero waste the Student Affairs Sustainability Committee hosted a delicious and educational “Moving Toward Zero Waste” Pancake Breakfast.
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/sustainability/zerowaste.htm
2) Carry a reusable mug for coffee/tea. More →
Millions of disposed of paper, plastic and Styrofoam cups may remain in our landfills for hundreds of years! The manufacturing of these cups uses valuable natural resources, energy, and abundant toxic chemicals which puts our health at risk. However, each time you commit to using your mug, one less cup needs to be produced and one less cup ends up in our landfills. Moreover, your mug will diminish other unnecessary environmental impacts by reducing energy use, carbon emissions, and toxic pollutants. In regards to your mug, the key is to use it and don’t lose it!
3) Double-side all copies and print jobs. More →
Think before you print! And when printing is necessary reduce the margins and print double-sided. Using less paper saves trees, water, energy, and reduces pollution and solid waste.
4) Recycle all mixed paper, cans, plastic/glass bottles, printer cartridges, e-waste, batteries, and CFL light bulbs. More →
Most of us should be doing a better job at recycling. The EPA estimates that 75% of what Americans throw in the trash could actually be recycled. This includes newspaper, magazines, brown paper, bright or fluorescent colored paper, unbleached and dark colored file folders, goldenrod, brown and dark envelopes, blueprints, photo paper, phone books, catalogues, paper tubes, tablet backs, ream wrappers, poster board, computer paper, light pastel colored paper, fax paper, envelopes (windows are OK), manila file folders, index cards and laser copy paper. Take the time to learn how to recycle properly – it is important. Improper recycling could ruin our recycling program and add unnecessary waste to the landfill.
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/facilities/Recycle/recyclehome.htm#HowtoRecycleatEvergreen
http://www.evergreen.edu/facilities/resources/recycling.htm
5) Donate, trade, barter, or sell all unwanted items before throwing them away. More →
In January 2008, the Free Store opened in the Housing Community Center. Frequently donated items include clothing, books, CDs, kitchen utensils, shoes and many others. And they are free!
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/rad/events/cash.htm

Transportation

1) Bike, walk, or use public transportation to commute to Evergreen at least once a week. More →
Evergreen’s Commute Trip Reduction program has significantly reduced the amount of air pollution, traffic congestion and energy consumption by facilitating safe and accessible alternative transportation options to campus. In 2008, Evergreen was proudly awarded as one of the best workplaces for commuters by the EPA! Our rideshare program, campus bus passes, commuter lockers, bike air pumps, and carpool parking were among the top reasons our campus was selected!
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/commute/about.htm
2) Form a carpool with classmates or co-workers and share the ride to work or school. More →
Carpooling will save you money, help the environment, and when you arrive to campus there will be an up-front preferential parking spot reserved just for you.
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/commute/carpool.htm
3) Take the bus/train or carpool when travelling to Seattle or Portland. More →

Purchasing

1) Carry reusable bags every time you shop. More →
Plastic shopping bags can take up to 1000 years to decompose. The United States alone will use approximately 100 billion new plastic bags each year. This means that the average person uses between 350 and 500 every year. Moreover, it is estimated to take 12 million barrels of oil every year to produce those plastic bags. Unfortunately, life cycle analyses tell us that paper bags are just as harmful to the environment. We are now cutting down roughly 14 million trees per year merely to supply the demand for paper shopping bags.
2) Whenever possible BUY LOCAL, Organic, or Fair Trade products. More →
Buying local supports our economy, creates new jobs, reduces carbon emissions, and builds community partnerships. We realize it is not always possible to buy what you need locally. However, we encourage you to think Local FIRST!
Learn more: http://fertileground.org/foodshed/HowtoBuyLocal.htm
http://www.olympiafood.coop
http://www.sustainsouthsound.org

Community Service

Participate in community service and/or civic engagement to help create and promote a socially just and environmentally sustainable world. More →
Community service encourages stronger citizenship and builds community partnerships resulting in economically, environmentally, and socially robust communities.
Learn more: http://www.evergreen.edu/communitybasedlearning

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Save a copy of your commitment as a PDF before submitting your data. (PDF's are more sustainable than paper.) Go to File > Print and select Adobe PDF, then click OK.