Hello, Everyone!
My apologies for not making progress during July. But we are back in action!
Ruth and I met last week and we mainly discussed what our next actions steps are.
For the time being, we are hoping to concentrate on:
1) getting recycle works certified
2) brainstorming ideas about how to increase faculty involvement
I know some offices are holding informational sessions with their staff members. Perhaps that is an area we could start? Having recycling come in and talk to faculty members, etc. Having OIT come in & talk about safely turning off power supplies to save energy, etc etc.
Any ideas you might have would be amazing!
Also, any brilliant projects coming up for anyone?
Hope all is well!
Rachel
Monday, August 10, 2009
SBA Green Team Tip of the Week (8/10/09)
Join the Composting Fun in the School of Business!
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2007, 245.1 million tons of trash or garbage were generated in the United States. Organic materials—comprised of yard trimmings, food scraps, wood waste, and paper and paperboard products—are the largest component of our trash and make up more than two-thirds of the solid waste stream. (http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/organics/index.htm)
The School of Business Green Team has set up the opportunity for you to compost while at work. Items that can be composted are food waste, including vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood, bread/baked goods, grains, dairy, eggs, coffee grounds and filters, plate scrapings and paper that has been in contact with food (like napkins). Compost containers are located in SBA rooms 240, 550 & 650. The large plastic containers used to accumulate compost can be found in the freezer in the faculty lounge (SBA 550), the refrigerator in SBA 240 or the refrigerator in the Dean's Office (SBA 650). Please familiarize yourself with whichever compost spot works best for you and join us!
NEW! Compost Services at PSU: If you are hosting an event where food will be served, allow PSU Recycles to help. PSU Recycles! can provide clean compost containers, tailored signs and support to help you create a "Zero Waste" event (details on the Zero Waste Alliance can be found online at http://www.zerowaste.org/).
Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2007, 245.1 million tons of trash or garbage were generated in the United States. Organic materials—comprised of yard trimmings, food scraps, wood waste, and paper and paperboard products—are the largest component of our trash and make up more than two-thirds of the solid waste stream. (http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/materials/organics/index.htm)
The School of Business Green Team has set up the opportunity for you to compost while at work. Items that can be composted are food waste, including vegetables, fruit, meat, seafood, bread/baked goods, grains, dairy, eggs, coffee grounds and filters, plate scrapings and paper that has been in contact with food (like napkins). Compost containers are located in SBA rooms 240, 550 & 650. The large plastic containers used to accumulate compost can be found in the freezer in the faculty lounge (SBA 550), the refrigerator in SBA 240 or the refrigerator in the Dean's Office (SBA 650). Please familiarize yourself with whichever compost spot works best for you and join us!
NEW! Compost Services at PSU: If you are hosting an event where food will be served, allow PSU Recycles to help. PSU Recycles! can provide clean compost containers, tailored signs and support to help you create a "Zero Waste" event (details on the Zero Waste Alliance can be found online at http://www.zerowaste.org/).
Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
SBA Green Team Tip of the Week (8/4/09)
Die of Heat or Save Energy?
With this crazy heat wave we have been having, people are doing anything they can to stay cool! Do you wonder if you are making environmentally responsible choices? Here is a highly useful and entertaining short video about energy efficient ideas to help you stay cool: (Found by Darrell Brown!)
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-28-ask-umbra-video-advice-beating-heat
Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
With this crazy heat wave we have been having, people are doing anything they can to stay cool! Do you wonder if you are making environmentally responsible choices? Here is a highly useful and entertaining short video about energy efficient ideas to help you stay cool: (Found by Darrell Brown!)
http://www.grist.org/article/2009-07-28-ask-umbra-video-advice-beating-heat
Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
SBA Green Team Tip of the Week (7/27/09)
Five Ways To Be Green In Hot, Summer Weather:
This information was taken from: http://hubpages.com/hub/5-Green-Ways-to-Stay-Cool-in-the-Summer
1. Go Swimming! The age-old summer activity of going swimming to escape the sun's glaring rays is a perfect green activity for the entire family. If you are fortunate enough to live close to the pool, consider walking or riding your bike instead of driving. Don't forget your sunscreen, but make sure to bring the lotion type and avoid the spray canisters that seem so popular these days!
2. Brew a Pitcher of Sun Tea. Nothing puts the temperature in check and fills the heart with a sense of well-being like a fresh, cold glass of sun brewed tea. It's simple to make and cheap too! First, start with a one gallon glass container with a securely fastening lid or lint-free cloth held tight with rubber bands. Next, fill the container with water. Add 4-5 tea bags of your favorite tea, you don't have to stick to store bought green or black teas, you can experiment with any number of herbal varieties. This can be especially rewarding when you brew tea from herbs you have gathered yourself. Finally, secure the lid or lint-free cloth and place the container where it will get direct sunlight. After 24-48 hours you can bring the container back in, pour it into a pitcher, add sweetener such as honey or sugar, and then place the pitcher into the fridge. If you love sun tea like my family does, you can have two or three batches rotating at all times to keep up with demand!
3. Eat Popsicles. Of course! Who could forget Popsicles? Are you trying to cut high fructose corn syrup out of your diet? There are commercial alternatives available, but why not make your own? You can use juice, pudding, homemade root beer, or even some of your sun tea! It's an activity that the whole family can enjoy, and I'm sure there will be no lack of help when it comes to eating them!
4. Use a Fan Instead of Air Conditioning. By opening your windows and using fans to direct air flow, you can avoid costly electric bills and do your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Using an Energy Star approved ceiling fan can reduce your annual electric bill by 15-20 dollars as compared to the rest on currently on the market, so make sure to look for that label!
5. Dress for the Heat. Wear lighter colors! Darker clothes absorb the heat from the sun whereas lighter clothes help reflect it. Are your clothes made from a polyester blend? If so, you might cool off faster by switching to clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton.
So there you have it, 5 simple steps to shedding some heat this summer while being green conscious! And hey, if all else fails, plant a tree!
Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
This information was taken from: http://hubpages.com/hub/5-Green-Ways-to-Stay-Cool-in-the-Summer
1. Go Swimming! The age-old summer activity of going swimming to escape the sun's glaring rays is a perfect green activity for the entire family. If you are fortunate enough to live close to the pool, consider walking or riding your bike instead of driving. Don't forget your sunscreen, but make sure to bring the lotion type and avoid the spray canisters that seem so popular these days!
2. Brew a Pitcher of Sun Tea. Nothing puts the temperature in check and fills the heart with a sense of well-being like a fresh, cold glass of sun brewed tea. It's simple to make and cheap too! First, start with a one gallon glass container with a securely fastening lid or lint-free cloth held tight with rubber bands. Next, fill the container with water. Add 4-5 tea bags of your favorite tea, you don't have to stick to store bought green or black teas, you can experiment with any number of herbal varieties. This can be especially rewarding when you brew tea from herbs you have gathered yourself. Finally, secure the lid or lint-free cloth and place the container where it will get direct sunlight. After 24-48 hours you can bring the container back in, pour it into a pitcher, add sweetener such as honey or sugar, and then place the pitcher into the fridge. If you love sun tea like my family does, you can have two or three batches rotating at all times to keep up with demand!
3. Eat Popsicles. Of course! Who could forget Popsicles? Are you trying to cut high fructose corn syrup out of your diet? There are commercial alternatives available, but why not make your own? You can use juice, pudding, homemade root beer, or even some of your sun tea! It's an activity that the whole family can enjoy, and I'm sure there will be no lack of help when it comes to eating them!
4. Use a Fan Instead of Air Conditioning. By opening your windows and using fans to direct air flow, you can avoid costly electric bills and do your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Using an Energy Star approved ceiling fan can reduce your annual electric bill by 15-20 dollars as compared to the rest on currently on the market, so make sure to look for that label!
5. Dress for the Heat. Wear lighter colors! Darker clothes absorb the heat from the sun whereas lighter clothes help reflect it. Are your clothes made from a polyester blend? If so, you might cool off faster by switching to clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton.
So there you have it, 5 simple steps to shedding some heat this summer while being green conscious! And hey, if all else fails, plant a tree!
Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
SBA Green Team Tip of the Week (7/20/09)
Are you aware that the School of Business has one of the most active Green Team chapters on campus?
> Below are just a few of the things your green team has made possible.
> The SBA Green Team:
>
> * created more recycling places in the SBA building
> * posted maps throughout the building with recycling locations
> * began a campaign to reduce paper use by the School of Business
> * created opportunities for composting in multiple offices throughout the building
> * developed a regularly updated blog with new events and tips. It can be accessed at http://sbagreenteam.blogspot.com/
>
> Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
> Below are just a few of the things your green team has made possible.
> The SBA Green Team:
>
> * created more recycling places in the SBA building
> * posted maps throughout the building with recycling locations
> * began a campaign to reduce paper use by the School of Business
> * created opportunities for composting in multiple offices throughout the building
> * developed a regularly updated blog with new events and tips. It can be accessed at http://sbagreenteam.blogspot.com/
>
> Do you have ideas for keeping the SBA green? Let us know. Would you like to get involved in a minimal time commitment group? Reply to this email if you would like to be included in our meetings or have ideas for a green tip to share with colleagues.
SBA Green Team Tip of the Week (7/13/09)
The following is paraphrased from "Six Transition Conversations that Matter" by Shaktari Belew:
"The Invitation Conversation. Transition occurs through choice, not mandate. First one must become aware that a choice exists. We don't want to simply enroll and assign tasks to people, the goal is to engage each other as partners. Without self-enrollment, participants perform for the benefit of others instead of for their own curiosity, joy and satisfaction.
The invitation is the call to mindfully explore oneself and life in the context of answering the following questions:
What types of invitations allow ourselves to grant ourselves permission to participate and own the relationships, tasks, and processes that we choose?
How can we design our choices so that they challenge us to stay involved? "
Find a way to invite yourself to become aware of a sustainable choice, mindfully explore this choice and how you can participate and stay involved. Experiment with ways that will keep you engaged and committed. Oh yea, and have fun at it.
Questions? Want to join the SBA Green Team? Email: greenteam@sba.pdx.edu for more information.
"The Invitation Conversation. Transition occurs through choice, not mandate. First one must become aware that a choice exists. We don't want to simply enroll and assign tasks to people, the goal is to engage each other as partners. Without self-enrollment, participants perform for the benefit of others instead of for their own curiosity, joy and satisfaction.
The invitation is the call to mindfully explore oneself and life in the context of answering the following questions:
What types of invitations allow ourselves to grant ourselves permission to participate and own the relationships, tasks, and processes that we choose?
How can we design our choices so that they challenge us to stay involved? "
Find a way to invite yourself to become aware of a sustainable choice, mindfully explore this choice and how you can participate and stay involved. Experiment with ways that will keep you engaged and committed. Oh yea, and have fun at it.
Questions? Want to join the SBA Green Team? Email: greenteam@sba.pdx.edu for more information.
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