SUSTAINABLE LIVING GUIDESUSTAINABLE LIVING GUIDE

Johns Hopkins University

The Sustainable Living Guide is a collection of resources and recommendations intended to assist Johns Hopkins University community members to live more environmentally conscious lifestyles. The guide covers many areas that impact an individual’s environmental footprint, such as cleaning, energy and water consumption, waste practices, and food and dietary choices. Additionally, since a large portion of Hopkins affiliates reside in the Baltimore region, many of the listed resources connect readers to guidelines and organizations located in or around Baltimore.

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Cleaning 3Energy 3Food & Diet 4Personal Care 5Shopping 5Supplies 6Transportation 7Waste Diversion 7Waste Reduction 8Water 9

Energy

Potential Resources □ BGE energy savings program □ Registered EPEAT electronics □ ENERGY STAR certified products

Tips □ Do only full loads of laundry and use cold water to reduce energy consumption and costs □ Change thermostat settings as seasons change (68 degrees Fahrenheit in cooler months and 75

degrees Fahrenheit in warmer months) to reduce energy required for heating and cooling

The amount of energy you consume directly relates to your personal carbon footprint. Unless you purchase renewable power from your electricity provider, your energy likely comes from the primarily fossil fuel-powered electricity grid, which emits significant greenhouse emissions that contribute to global climate change and local air pollution. Making small changes to conserve energy and investing in energy-efficient products are effective ways to lessen your environmental impact.

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Everyday chores can have a variety of environmental ramifications; household cleaners and detergents often contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment, and household tasks produce waste or are needlessly energy and water intensive. By purchasing or making your own cleaning supplies with non-toxic, natural ingredients, investing in reusable products, and making small changes to your cleaning habits, you can lessen your exposure to harmful chemicals and reduce your environmental footprint while doing chores at home.

Cleaning

Potential Resources □ Green cleaning benefits and recipes for homemade natural products □ Green cleaning product ratings □ Guide to green product certifications

Tips □ Invest in reusable and washable towels to reduce paper consumption, deforestation, and money

spent on disposable paper towels over time □ Purchase cleaning products made with natural ingredients and make your own cleaning supplies

◼ Commonly used ingredients in homemade green cleaning products include lemon juice, white vinegar, borax, olive oil, and baking soda

□ Hang wet clothes to dry instead of using a dryer to save energy □ Review product labels prior to purchasing and look for products with reputable certifications

specifying healthy and environmentally-safe ingredients.

https://www.bgesmartenergy.com/https://epeat.net/https://www.energystar.gov/https://www.go-gba.org/resources/green-building-methods/green-cleaning-products/https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/https://www.enviroxclean.com/blog/your-guide-to-green-product-certifications

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Food and dietary choices can have a significant impact on your individual environmental footprint as approximately a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions comes from food production1. Because meat and dairy products have the highest associated emissions, incorporating plant-based food into your diet is a healthy and easy way to reduce your environmental impact.

Food & Diet

Potential Resources □ Greenhouse gas food calculator □ 85 vegan recipes □ Tips for growing food in small spaces □ Vegan restaurants in Baltimore □ Seasonal produce guide □ Center for a Liveable Future food publications □ Farmers’ Markets

Tips □ Grow your own food and herbs □ If transitioning your diet, try eating plant-based meals two to three days a week □ Try plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, seeds, and tofu to reduce meat consumption while

meeting daily protein requirements □ Buy organic and locally-sourced food when possible □ Join a CSA (community supported agriculture) program to secure local produce

◼ Joining a CSA from farms like One Straw and others in and around Baltimore is a great way to also support the local economy

□ Increase the portion size of vegetables and grains and eat smaller meat portions during meals □ Prioritize seasonal produce to reduce travel emissions and support local farmers

□ To reduce energy consumed by everyday appliances and electronics, purchase more energy-

efficient products that are either EPEAT registered or ENERGY STAR certified □ Turn off lights and electronics when not in use

◼ Use and switch off power strips, which cuts power to products like chargers, televisions, and small appliances to prevent phantom energy consumption (energy used by electronics when turned off but still plugged in)

□ Install LED lightbulbs, which are more energy efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs □ Use natural sunlight during the day instead of lamps and overhead lighting □ Choose renewable energy suppliers using BGE’s energy supply options to better control

emissions produced from powering your home □ If financially able, invest in renewable energy systems to power your home to reduce energy

consumed from the electricity grid and greenhouse emissions

1 “Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 10, 2020, https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46459714#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20researchers%20found%20that,calories%20we%20eat%20and%20drink.https://www.loveandlemons.com/vegan-recipes/https://www.ecohome.net/guides/2228/grow-food-at-home-7-tips-for-growing-food-in-small-spaces/https://fitt.co/baltimore/articles/best-vegan-and-vegetarian-restaurants-baltimorehttps://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guidehttps://clf.jhsph.edu/publicationshttps://baltimore.org/what-to-do/where-to-eat/baltimore-farmers-markets/https://www.onestrawfarm.com/our-story/https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/2018/3/28/what-you-need-to-know-about-joining-a-local-csa-or-meat-sharehttps://www.bge.com/MyAccount/MyService/Pages/EnergySupplyOptions.aspx

Similar to the supplies used to clean your home, personal care products may also contain harmful ingredients and can be packaged with unnecessary materials that create excess waste. By learning about and avoiding harsh, synthetic chemicals and prioritizing package-free or bulk products, you can reduce your waste and exposure to unsafe ingredients ingredients during your personal care routine.

Personal Care

Potential Resources □ Chemicals of concern in personal care products □ Personal care product chemical fact sheet □ Package-free personal care products

Tips □ Purchase reusable, package-free or bulk-packaged products for your personal care routine to

reduce waste: ◼ Reusable and washable cotton rounds and cotton swabs ◼ Toothpaste and mouthwash tablets ◼ Reusable menstrual cups ◼ Soap bars or bulk-packaged liquid soap

□ Find vegan or cruelty free products to that are not tested on animals or contain animal products □ Learn about what’s used in your personal care products and avoid certain chemicals that can

have adverse effects on human health

Shopping

Potential Resources □ MOMs Organic Market, Whole Foods, OK Natural Food Store, or RoofTop HoT Local &

Organic Market □ Farmers’ Markets □ Second-hand resources:

◼ Second Chance ◼ Goodwill ◼ The Wise Penny ◼ Baltimore County Reuse Directory

The products you buy and the way you purchase everyday items like clothing, food, and household supplies directly affects how much waste you produce and the resources you consume. By using reusable bags, buying second-hand items, and looking for environmentally-friendly and ethically-made products, you can reduce your environmental footprint, save money, and support local or sustainable businesses.

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http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chem-of-concern/https://nyshealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/potentially-toxic-chemicals-personal-care-products-march-2019.pdfhttps://sustainablebrands.com/read/waste-not/trending-waste-free-personal-care-products-set-to-revolutionize-industryhttps://www.marioninstitute.org/toxic-load-whats-in-your-personal-care-products/https://momsorganicmarket.com/https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores?gclid=CjwKCAiA7939BRBMEiwA-hX5J1yU09NuFW3k9NCaDPd2VgLRpS4yfDLyLaF3j_4Gg5bdkFuu7reyOhoC3qIQAvD_BwEhttp://www.oknaturalfoods.com/https://rooftop-hot.square.site/https://rooftop-hot.square.site/https://baltimore.org/what-to-do/where-to-eat/baltimore-farmers-markets/https://www.secondchanceinc.org/https://www.goodwill.org/https://www.jlbalt.org/community-impact/wise-penny/http://resources.baltimorecountymd.gov/Documents/Public_Works/solidwastemanagement/reusedirectory.pdf

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Supplies

Potential Resources □ Sustainable supplies □ Green lab supplies □ Tips on buying eco-friendly office supplies

Tips □ Use power strips wherever possible to easily turn off electronics when not in use and avoid

phantom energy loads □ To save paper, use electronic note-taking and document management, and print double-sided and

with smaller margers when applicable □ If necessary, purchase notebooks and printer paper that have at least 30% recycled-content or are

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified □ If working in a lab, evaluate your lab and research group’s purchasing practices for supplies and

lab equipment □ Print in black and white to reduce ink and return used ink and toner cartridges when possible □ Return used ink and toner cartridges to places like Office Depot to be recycled □ Purchase supplies that are BPA, phthalate, and PVC free to avoid toxic chemicals commonly

found in plastic

The types and quantities of supplies you purchase and use for school or work directly impact your resource consumption. By avoiding paper products and using smart technologies, reducing unnecessary purchases, and prioritizing sustainably made-products, you can decrease your environmental footprint and save on personal expenses.

Tips □ Buy second-hand to save money and reduce your environmental impact □ Take inventory of your pantry before grocery shopping to avoid over-buying □ Purchase durable clothing and goods that last longer over time □ Support local and BIPOC-owned businesses □ Purchase fair traid and ethically-made products □ Look for clothing products made with organic or rapidly renewable textiles □ Bring reusable shopping and produce bags when grocery shopping to reduce unnecessary

plastic consumption*

* Due to COVID-19, these items may temporarily not be allowed in certain stores, restaurants, and cafes

https://earthhero.com/product-category/baby-kids/back-to-school/school-supplies/https://www.labconscious.com/green-lab-supplies-and-lab-equipment-guidehttps://leadersinenergy.org/tips-on-buying-eco-friendly-office-supplies/#https://www.officedepot.com/cm/services/ink-and-toner-cartridge-recycling

Waste diversion refers to recycling both organic and inorganic waste instead of disposing it for landfill or incineration. Landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher warming potential than carbon dioxide, and incinerators produce toxins that can lead to respiratory issues in surrounding communities. By diverting your waste, you can reduce those pollutants and the space required for landfills, support the recycling sector, and allow more materials to live a second life as new products.

Waste Diversion

Potential Resources □ SCRAP Creative Reuse Baltimore □ Baltimore City Recycling Guide and map of recycling drop-off locations □ Baltimore City Composting Guide

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Potential Resources □ Blue Jay Shuttle □ Collegetown Shuttle □ Charm City Circulator □ Zipcar □ Baltimore Water Taxis □ Scooters (not permitted on the Homewood Campus quads)

◼ JUMP ◼ Lime ◼ SPIN

Tips □ To reduce emissions from single occupancy vehicles, consider the following behaviors:

◼ Use telework and telemeeting platforms when possible to reduce travel ◼ Bike or walk wherever you are able ◼ Rideshare/Carpool with friends or colleagues who live nearby ◼ Use mass transportation (free options include the Blue Jay Shuttle, Collegetown Shuttle,

and Charm City Circulator) □ Offset carbon emissions from flying with donated carbon tax

TransportationExcluding residential and commercial energy consumption, the transportation sector is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions and significantly contributes to local air pollution. Taking advantage of walking, biking, and the mass transportation resources below are convenient and cost-effective ways to reduce your personal transportation emissions.

https://baltimore.scrapcreativereuse.org/https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Recycling%20Flyer%202019.pdfhttps://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Community%20Collection%20Centers%202.pdfhttps://www.baltimoresustainability.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/NRDC-Home-Composting-Guide.pdfhttps://www.carpoolworld.com/hopkinsmedicine.htmlhttps://www.carbontax.org/donate/

* Due to COVID-19, these items may temporarily not be allowed in certain stores, restaurants, and cafes

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Reducing the amount of waste you generate is the most effective way to avoid sending materials to landfill or incineration when diversion isn’t an option. This eliminates the adverse impacts from extraction, manufacturing, and shipping, in addition to avoiding the need for disposal. By simply reducing how much you consume, you can greatly minimize your resource consumption and the amount of materials sent to the waste stream.

Waste Reduction

Potential Resources □ Maryland solid waste reduction and reuse tips

Tips □ Upcycle old clothing □ Reuse containers like mason jars for drinkware, storage, and decor □ Buy items with less or no packaging to eliminate unnecessary waste □ Take an inventory of your closet or pantry to buy only what is needed □ Use a reusable water bottle or coffee mug/thermos ($ off at some coffee shops on campus)* □ Reuse gift bags and purchase reusable wrapping paper □ Use a Reusable Keurig cup and fill with coffee grounds instead of single use pods □ Invest in reusable bags and containers for shopping and storing food to decrease plastic use*

◼ Silicone Ziploc-style bags ◼ Reusable produce bags*

Tips □ Donate unwanted clothes and other items to thrift stores and donation drives □ Start a compost bin OR drop off your compost at MOMs or other compost locations and services □ Only recycle items accepted by your city or county to reduce bin contamination with non-

recyclable materials □ To properly recycle your electronics, bring them to an e-cycler

◼ Accepted items and drop-off locations in Baltimore ◼ Best Buy and Staples both accept electronics and certain appliances

□ Donate unwanted furniture to places like Habitat for Humanity ReStores or Goodwill □ Donate towels to animals shelters

◼ MDSPCA ◼ BARCS

https://mde.maryland.gov/MarylandGreen/Pages/Waste.aspxhttps://goodonyou.eco/7-creative-ways-to-upcycle-your-old-clothes/https://www.thekitchn.com/10-other-uses-for-canning-jars-222536https://www.keurig.com/Accessories/My-K-Cup%C2%AE-Universal-Reusable-Coffee-Filter/p/universal-my-k-cuphttps://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g28552699/best-reusable-lunch-snack-bags/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g26448487/best-reusable-produce-bags/https://www.goodwillches.org/

Water

Potential Resources □ Water conservation fact sheet □ Water conservation tips and tricks

Tips □ Do only full loads of dishes and laundry □ Turn off the faucet while washing your hands and face, brushing your teeth, and shaving □ If you have plants, consider capturing rainwater to water indoor and outdoor plants □ Gradually reduce your showers by one minute (the average American shower uses approximately

2.1 gallons of water per minute) □ Fix or report leaky faucets to your landlord □ Consider installing low-flow fixtures, faucet aerators, and toilets

Only about 0.3% of Earth’s water is available for human consumption, and climate change has caused more frequent droughts, resulting in severe water shortages for populations around the world. Making small changes in your everyday routine to conserve water can have significant long-term savings and reduce the risk of future regional water shortages.

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https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Water/waterconservation/Pages/water_factsheet.aspxhttps://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/Drop-off%20Locations.pdfhttps://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/pw-bureaus/water-wastewater/services/tricks

Cleaning 3Energy 3Food & Diet 4Personal Care 5Shopping 5Supplies6Transportation6Waste Diversion7Waste Reduction8Water8CleaningEnergyFood & DietPersonal CareShoppingSuppliesTransportationWaste DiversionWaste ReductionWater