Today's edition of the Daily Tar Heel featured a few suggestions from us on how you can be "Carolina Green". Here are a few more to help you make a positive change this Earth Day:
- How sustainable are you? How sustainable are your friends? Find out by starting a profile at MakeMeSustainable.com, locally administrated by UNC’s Institute for the Environment. This site is an “ecological footprint” calculator AND social network! Start building your tree now.
- Did you know that UNC has phased out the use of incandescent bulbs? Unless incandescent bulbs are required for security or special functions, everyone should be using more efficient lights, such as fluorescent lighting (compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs). If you see someone on campus still using an incandescent bulb in their lamp, remind them to switch to a more efficient compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) as soon as possible.
- Live on campus? Learn about which air system your dorm room uses and see how much control you have over changing the room’s settings. If you have a window unit, turn the temperature down in the winter and up in the summer. If your heating/cooling is on the University’s central steam/chilled water system, cooler is actually more efficient year-round.
- Cell phones, laptops, and most rechargeable items only need a couple hours to fully recharge, not all night. Recharge while you study and unplug when it is fully charged.
- Put an end to selfish electronics! Unplug appliances when not in use since they draw electricity even when turned off. Also, use a power strip to connect your appliances and turn it off when not in use. As an added bonus, they're convenient and stylish.
- Everyone on campus has a computer, and computers are notorious energy hogs. Manually change your computer’s power options or download special energy friendly software. For PC users: go to control panel and click the “Performance and Maintenance” icon then click the “Power Options”. Change your power scheme or modify your current power scheme by changing the settings.
- See a green handle on the toilet? These are the dual-flush toilets that can be found across campus. Conserve water by pushing up for #1. Only push down for #2, which requires more water.
- It’s hotter to use cold water…when you do laundry. With concentrated detergents these days, most clothes can get just as clean in cold water. Why waste the energy and money on wasteful warm laundry?
- Disposal food containers represent a lot of unnecessary waste. When eating at either Lenoir or Rams Head Dining Halls, replace your trashy Styrofoam with a reusable “to go” food container ($3.50). When shopping, replace your wasteful plastic grocery bags with a reusable tote bag at Rams Head Market and Carolina House of Dogs ($1.50).
- Reduce waste by limiting how much mail you receive. Do you really need personal newspaper and magazine subscriptions on campus? UNC Libraries already have subscriptions to hundreds of newspapers and magazines. Save your money and your mailbox by visiting the Undergraduate Library or Davis Library.
- Drink from a reusable cup throughout each day. Look for the “One Less Cup” sticker at The Daily Grind, Alpine Bagel, and other on-campus eateries. Put it on your reusable mug to show your support for reducing waste and receive a discount!
- One of the easiest ways to have a direct, positive impact on your community and the global environment is to buy and eat locally! On campus, look for the “Local” sign at the dining halls and Rams Head Market. In the community, consider patronizing the Carrboro Farmers Market on Saturday mornings (http://www.carrborofarmersmarket.com).
- Lastly, get involved with campus “green” programs and events. Your best resource is the new website CarolinaGreen.unc.edu. It is an easy, one-stop directory of all things “green” at UNC. Are you Carolina Green?
