Extended Break Checklist

As we all prepare for winter break, please don’t forget to shut down your office. Below is a general list of things you can do to prevent energy and water from being wasted. If there are any major leaks or other issues, contact the Physical Plant ASAP so that they have time to address the problem before break.

Turn Off and Unplug All Electronics and Appliances:

• Monitors
• Surge protectors
• Calculators
• Printers
• Copiers
• Desk lamps
• Cell phone chargers
• Water coolers
• Space heaters
• Baseboard heaters
• Power strips

Office

• Close doors, windows, curtains, and blinds
• If you have thermostat control, turn it down in the winter and up in the summer (Please consult your building manger or the Physical Plant for your building’s specific temperature requirements)

• Give plants a little water (If gone for a long period of time, centralize office plants in a location with light)

• Turn off all lights

kitchen and Bathrooms

• Make sure faucets are turned off completely
• Make sure the toilets aren’t running
• Turn off and unplug coffee pots and other kitchen appliances

*Remind co-workers to do the same

Vampire Energy

We all know that vampires love plasma, but they’re not the only ones. Your T.V. is devouring energy quicker than you would think. In honor of Halloween, check out the website link below to see where your energy is being sucked out.

VAMPIRE ENERGY 

Happy Halloween!

NRDC Smart Living

Environmental Tips for Everyday Life:

I came across this website developed by the NRDC (National Resource Defense Council). I found it to be very informative and approachable. I highly recommend you all check it out. The link I have provided starts with food, but in the upper right-hand corner of the NRDC webpage, it has additional categories including Health, Home & Garden, Community, and Tools. http://www.simplesteps.org/food

Ecological Footprint

Global Footprint Test

Many of us often wonder exactly what impact are we as individuals having on the environment. This can be a difficult question to answer accurately, but the following website, Global Footprint, is a good place to start. Global Footprint is designed to show you how much land area it takes to support your lifestyle. Through taking this quiz, you can identify the extent of your own personal resource consumption and learn ways to modify your lifestyle in order to lessen your carbon footprint. http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/personal_footprint/

Green Computing

Computers are a part of our everyday life. At this point, who could imagine living without them? However, just like many modern technologies, computers’ impact on our lives is not always positive. As many of you know, improper use and disposal of computers are a major source of pollution and energy consumption. Please take a minute to learn ways you can reduce your computer’s impact on the environment.

In addition to the information provided below by IUTS, visit Climate Savers Computing for green computing advice.

1. Be sure to shut down

Turn off peripherals, such as printers, scanners, speakers, external drives, and gaming systems, when not in use.

Note: At Indiana University, computers in campus offices may be set to receive updates while you are not using your computer; check with your local support provider (LSP) for options before changing your current practices. Ask if your area’s computers are equipped with the Go Green Reporting Service and Gadget. 

2. Choose a laptop

 Laptops typically consume less power.

3. Enable power management

Use power management settings, available on most new computers. Power management settings determine when the computer and monitor shut off, or go into sleep or hibernate modes, which use less power than regular operating mode. See In Windows 7, Vista, or XP, how do I change the power management settings? Or In Mac OS X, how do I change the power management settings?

Note: Power management settings are different from screen savers. Screen savers use more energy than allowing the monitor to go black, and are unnecessary on all but very old monitors.

The Perfect Plants

Office Plants 

Not only are plants a nice way to liven up your office, but they also act as a great natural filter for the ambient air. This is especially important in the indoor workplace, where stale air, formaldehyde, and VOC off-gassing can greatly affect your health.

Plant of the Century

For those not born with a green thumb, Pothos Plants are a perfect place to start. These plants are incredibly low maintenance, requiring VERY little attention. For that matter, they don’t even need soil. Simply place a number of plant clippings in a vase of water and let them be. If you opt for soil, the plants’ fertilizer and water needs are minimal. While most plants require at least some sunshine, these plants thrive in settings with incredibly low amounts of light.

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For more plant suggestions, keep reading!

Office Toolkit

Throughout the summer I have compiled information and resources to create an Office Toolkit for the Green Teams. The Toolkit is in the final stages of development, and will be available on the Green Teams website towards the end of August. In the meantime, I will post a featured topic each week for the teams to utilize. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know.