SustainableLiving GuideUniversity of Kansas2017

It starts with you

AS THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS strives to implement more sustainable practices and enhance sustainability, education, and awareness in the campus community, it is imperative that the Jayhawk community help lead this charge. Students are persistently interested in environmental issues, and by being leaders in sustainable living, the student community at KU can create positive change campus-wide and beyond.

The daily behavior and practices of university students is a forecast for the generation’s future. Students at KU are in a unique position to help shape this future by incorporating sustainability practices into their daily routines. Those sustainable practices create standards of awareness for their peers within the house and across campus. While there are many students in the Jayhawk community who are interested in bettering their everyday routine with sustainability practices, this guide will help recognize new and existing opportunities for simple improvements, laying a foundation to continue a strong, gradual process toward a sustainable future.

The benefits can be felt immediately as decreased energy consumption leads to lower utility costs and diverting waste reduces valuable resource use. By establishing and improving simple sustainable living practices, it will cut costs while increasing knowledge and awareness within the Jayhawk community, eventually spreading to others.

1

While not all of the suggestions below will be realistic or feasible for your living situation, they may provide ideas of what could be possible. At the same time, you may be surprised by how easy it is to implement impactful actions! Prioritize initatives that are conducive to the mission of your house or hall in order to achieve the most success.

STEP 1: Where are you now?

House/Hall Name::

House Address:

President:

Today’s Date:

Phone Number:

House Manager:

1. Does your house have a person appointed tolead environmental efforts in the house? If so,please describe.

2. Does your house currently promote sustainableliving? If so, how?

3. Does your house currently promoteenvironmental awareness? If so, how?vironmental awareness? If so, how?

4. What efforts has the house made to lessen its impact on the community’s natural resources?

5. What sustainable efforts do you think the housedoes well?

6. What sustainable efforts do you think the housecould improve?

This section takes account of efforts already in place and areas you would

like to work on.

2

Consider appointing a Sustainability Ambassador as a position of your house/hall government. This position could keep the house informed and lead in the creation/implementation of sustainable improvements for chapter or house practices.

1. Food (List 3 for each)

Bulk Packaged Snacks

Drinks with Sizes (i.e. gallon jug of milk)

Fruits & Vegetables

Other Foods in Fridge Utilize local, organic food. Start by talking to your chef about how they source your house’s food. Does their vendor offer local or organic options? If not, suggest the possibility of working with a local farm to purchase certain in season ingredients or shopping at the Lawrence Farmer’s Market during the growing season.

2a. Dishes/Utensils: Disposable

Cups

Styrofoam

Co ee Cups

Buying snacks in bulk instead of in individual packages reduces waste and is a preferred choice.

Utilize leftovers to prevent food waste. Encourage use of reusable containers for students to save food.

Plastic

Food & Kitchen Audit

# used per week

# used per week

Plates

Silverware

# used per week

# used per week

This step helps you identify areas in your house that have the potential to be more sustainable and where simple improvements can be made. This is an easy audit that a couple residents can complete by inspecting

and walking through the house. Please select at least one of the sections below or complete all of them for a thorough audit.

STEP 2: What is your potential?

Paper

3

Ask your kitchens staff how often they purchase disposable items in order to help you estimate how many your house goes through.

Drinking Cups

Plates

# in Stock

# in Stock

# of sets in Stock

Silverware

3. CompostingDoes the house compost? If so, what items arecomposted? Is it kept onsite or carried away? If on site what is it used for? If carried away, whotakes it and where?

Phase out or reduce use of plastic, paper, and styrofoam kitchenware and utensils to reduce your landfill impact.

Ask the house manager to purchase more reusable dishes if there aren’t enoughfor everyone in the house or if that is the reason for using disposables.

Explore the possibility of

composting food waste. See waste

section on pg. 9 for helpful direction

on getting started.

Energy Audit

1. Light Bulb Count (How many in each space?)

Kitchen

Dining Room

Common Room

Bathroom

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Replace incandescent bulbswith more efficient CFLs orLEDs. LEDs save the mostenergy and last longer. Did you know: KU is working to replace all burnt out bulbs with LEDs across campus.

INCANDESCENT CFL

2. Lighting CheckFind a time when most people are out of the house to see if the lights were left on where they needn’t be.

Kitchen

Yes

Dining Room

No

Common Room

Bathroom

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

The results found in these rooms could be indicative ofbehaviors across the houseand energy saving measures that can be implemented to targetthose habits. Take note of common areas where daylighting can be used during the day instead ofelectric light. Post visible cuesabout switching off the lightsthroughout the house.

2b. Dishes/Utensils: Reusable

Incandescent CFL

4

If you have a Keurig, considerpurchasing and promoting the use of their Reusable Basket.Bulk coffees and teas can be used in these, which will savemoney and cut down on lotsof waste (k-cups are notrecyclable!)

Consider posting a sign in the kitchen next to appliances that don’t need to be plugged in all the time. Purchase a power strip for kitchen wherechargers can be plugged in andpower strips turned off when not in use.

Unplug entertainment systems when not in use or connect it to a power strip that is switched off when not used. Appliancesuse electricity even when they are “off” by going into standby mode.

3. Electronics CheckWrite the number of appliances in the given roomsbelow that you find plugged in when not in use.

Kitchen

Blender(s)

Keurig(s)

Drip Coffee Makers

Toaster(s)

Warming Tray(s)

Water Cooler (Electric)

Bedroom 1

Phone Charger(s)

Laptop Charger(s)

TV(s)

Hair Dryer/Curling Iron(s)

Gaming System(s)

Other

Other

Bedroom 2 Common Space

Chargers are continually drawing power, even when nodevice is connected to them.Unplug them after each use orconnect it to a power stripthat is switched off when not in use.

Simply setting computers to sleep mode or saving a gameand powering down instead of leaving it paused for a prolonged period can save more than $100 a year/permachine. Imagine the savingstotal for the entire house!

4. Windows and DoorsWalking around the perimeter of the building, noteany visible cracks or leaks in the windows, doors,or foundation. Do you see light or feel any warm/ cold air coming from inside? If so, valuable energyis escaping. Caulk and weather-strip doors

and windows that leak air or hire someone to do it. Otherwise, energy and money are going right out the window!

5

Set water heater temperature to 120° F to save energy and money on heating water.

Wrap the water storage tank in a specially-designed “blanket” to retain the heat. A water heater blanket costs about $30, but can save up to 15% on water heating costs per year.

Scaling back the heating or cooling overnight while the house is asleep or unoccupied on breaks can save up to 10% on cooling and heating costs.

5. Heating

Water Heater Tank

What is the temperature of the tank set to?

Is the tank wrapped in an insulation blanket? Y/N

Thermostat

Is the thermostat a programmable thermostat? Y/N

If yes, is the thermostat programmed? Y/N

If yes, what is the:

Day Temperature

Night Temperature

Furnace

Check the filter. Is it dirty? Y/N

Is there a date on the filter? Y/N

If yes, what is the date?

If you don’t have access to the hot water heater or furnace, ask your House Manager or maintenance staff for assistance.

Clean or change filters regularly (every 3-12 months). Write the date you changed it with a sharpie on the filter. A dirty furnace or A/C filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.

Keeping track of bill information is a great way to see if your energy improvements save energy and money.

6. Energy Bills

Gather monthly and/or annual billing statements

from you house’s electric and natural gas providers.

What is your house’s annual electric bill?(Find the sum of 12 months of electric bills)

What is your house’s annual natural gas bill?(Find the sum of 12 months of gas bills)

What is the size of your house? Sq. Ft

6

Install low-flow or water-saving aerators on all your faucets: 0.5 gpmis an ideal flow. These can be found at any hardware store and cost about $3 each.

When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill onebasin with wash water and the other with rinse water.

Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refil a reusable water bottle. This will cut down on the numberof glasses to wash.

1. Faucet Count (How many in each space or floor?)FFlow rate is the number of gallons that flow out of the faucet per minute. It is found engravedon the aerator. The aerator is located at the tip of the faucet, right where the water pours out.

2. Shower Head Count (How many in each space or floor?)

Flow rate can be found engraved on the showerhead, typically in the center of the spout.

Basement #_____

Flow Rate

Flow Rate

Kitchen #___

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

First Floor #___

Second Floor #___

Third Floor #___

Other: _______ #___

Basement #_____

Kitchen #___

First Floor #___

Second Floor #___

Third Floor #___

Other: _______ #___

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

Post a sign near bathroom sinks to turn off faucets when brushing teeth and shaving which can save an average of 1 gallon each time(with low-flow aerator). Think about how that savings will add upthroughout the house!

Use a low-flow or WaterSense labeled showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

Water Audit

Are house members encouraged to take short showers?

7

Challenge residents to time their showers to a favorite song. This way they don’t linger and use more water than needed!

Does the toilet run after thetank fills? This means water isconstantly being lost, even when not in use. Replace the flapper (the rubber part in the tank that lifts up whenflushed. It seals the water in thetank after flushing) on a running toilet to avoid unecessary wasted water and a higher water bill!

3. Toilet Count (How many in each space or floor?)

Flush Rate is the number of gallons of water used per flush. It is typically found writtenjust behind the seat or on the toilet lid.

Basement #____ gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

gpm

First Floor # ___

Flush Rate

Second Floor #___

Third Floor #___

Other: _______ # ___

1.6 gpf or less is ideal. Replace your toilets with a low-flush or WaterSense® labeled toilet and save up to 2 gallons per flush! Think of all the flushing happening in your house!

8

Waste & Recycling

Community Living Opportunities (CLO): CLO works to improve the quality of life for people living with disabilities. They are currently offering recycling pick-up (for a small fee) for business and commercial entities in Lawrence. The recycling program provides work training for the individuals they serve. A win win! Contact Deb Engstrom, debengstrom@clokan.org, to discuss services to your house.

Cans for the Community: Another great community organization that collects aluminum cans for their value and in turn donates the money to other community non-profit organizations. Another win win! Greek houses can go through a lot of aluminum cans! Can collection “houses” are stationed throughout Lawrence where residents can drop off cans at no charge to benefit Cans for the Community. A can “house” is currently located on Emery Rd available adjacent to Sigma, Kappa Delta Upsilon, and Delta Gamma. Contact Cans for the Community at recycle@cansforthecommunity.org to request a can “house” near your house or visit cansforthecommunity.org/about for a list of can “house” locations that may be near you.

Interested in seeing how much recycling you can divert with one of the options above? Use the waste audit guide below to help determine which items house members are commonly mistaking for trash/recycling so communication can be improved as well as to reduce waste overall by discovering what your house disposes of most.

Ready

We can also help develop or provide signage and other communication to tackle your house’s needs

to recycle, but want assistance with setting up the in-house diversion? Contact sustainability@ku.edu for help getting started!

9

For Greek houses and Naismith Hall, we reconize that recycling can be a challenge without access to pick-up services at your house. Unfortunately, KU Recycling cannot service these facilities, as they are considered commercial properties. The City of Lawrence will be expanding their residential service to commerical buildings in the near future. In the meantime, there are options!

Drop off locations: The 12th & Haskell Recycling Center (located at 12th and Haskell) accepts free drop-off of paper, plastic, cardboard, and metal. If paying CLO for services is prohibitive to your house recycling, consider forming a drop-off team and earn service hours for your efforts. For glass recycling visit lawrenceks.org/swm/rescitydropoff for a list of other community drop-off location.

Collect waste from the following areas on a day of the weekwhere trash cans are usually full.

NO coffee cups, napkins, paper towels, greasy pizza boxes, or soiled paper plates. These items should go in the landfillor compost category.

Waste Audit

Recyclables:

Paper (Newspaper, Magazines, Mail)

Cardboard and Paperboard

Tin and Aluminum Cans

Plastics #1 - 7 (Except 6! - see confused items on pg. 11)

Compostables:

Landfill:

Leftover Food and Food Scraps

Soiled Paper Plates

Napkins/Paper Towels/Tissues

Food Wrappers & Chip Bags

Disposable Coffee Cups

Greasy Pizza Boxes

Plastic Utensils

Wax Coated Paper Cups

Plastic Bags

Styrofoam

Dining Room

Kitchen

Bathroom

Common Room

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Separate the total amount of waste contents into the categories below. Once separated, count the number of items or measure by volume (example:fill a 5-gallon bucket and count how many buckets-full of each). Use the same measurement of volume throughout the entire audit.

It’s best practice to rinse your recyclables of food residue asbest you can before recycling.

Take note of how much of your landfill material is disposable cups, plates or utensils. How much trash could be reducedby switching to reusable?

How much of your waste is made up each category?

How much could you reduce your landfill waste by recycling and composting?

How much could you reduce by using reusable washable items? 10

Already recycling? Take an extra look at your set-up and signage. Do these rooms have recycling bins? Place recycling bins throughout the house wherever trash cans are found so house members always have an option to recycle.

found ays

have an option to recycle.

Trash & Recycling Bin and Signage Audit

We’re the first to admit that recycling can be confusing!Create signage for your house that is posted on or above bins to guide house members on what can and cannot be recycled.

Commonly confused items include:

Disposable Coffee Cups(They are made of more than paper - don’t recycle!)

(They get caught in sorting machines - take them to Dillons or Hy-Vee!)

(Even though it may have a #6, this material is mostly just air - don’t recycle)

Plastic Bags

Styrofoam

Not sure about other particular items, ask us at sustainability@ku.edu

Common Rooms

Dining Room:

Kitchen:

Bathroom:

Other:

Hallways

Basement:

Floor 1:

Floor 2:

Other:

R T N Bins Yes/No

Posters: Recycle/Trash

Bins Yes/NoPosters: Recycle/

Trash

Y

R T NY

11

Encourage house members to establish a recycling “bin” (a box, sack, or crate will do!) in their trash bin. When full they can empty their recycling into a larger central recycling bin.

STEP 3: Take Action!

Grow a Garden:

Now that you have a grasp of what your house is doing and how your house could improve, it’s time to take action! Pick two or three sustainability actions that you can realistically implement throughout the house. Start small if you must. Many small, mindful actions that you and your house members take

This guide offers a starter list of suggestions, but it is certainly not the limit of sustainablility projects or initatives your house can take. Be creative! Below are some additional ideas to consider:

12

every day can all add up to valuable cost and resource savings. Need help getting started? Send your completed step 1 and step 2 to sustainability@ku.edu for guidance, additional resources, and tips for your house.

Make it Clean and Green:

A lot of resources are used in the laundry room. The size of your load, water temperature, detergent, and method of drying all make a difference. Follow some of these tips to make this necessary chore into a low impact task. Copies of this sign are available through the Center of Sustainablity. Email sustainability@ku.edu for copies to hang in your laundry room!

Interested in local foods? Grow your own for your chef to use in preparing house meals. If establishing a raised bed or section of yard is not possible, plenty of vegetables grow well in pots, especially herbs. Growing food is also a great activity to build community in your house.

GREENMAKE IT CLEAN AND

Wash Your Loads On Cold

Wear It More Than Once

Wait For A Full Load

Give Your Clothes Some Hang Time

Using cold water reduces energy use by 90%, it also makes

your colors and clothes last longer!

How often do you wash your jeans? Well, leading denim

companies recommend no more than every two weeks in

order to give your favorite jeans the longest life. And it will

avoid 18 gallons of water per wash!

Hold out for a full load instead of washing frequent small

loads in order to use the necessary energy and water most

Running a clothes dryer can account for nearly 10% of a

residence’s energy bill. Hang dry items when possible to

It will also keep your clothes looking bright and new.

Conventional laundry detergents contain surfactants and other

chemicals that can cause harm to the environment and our

own health.

Switch To An Eco-Friendly High-Efficiency (HE) Detergent

www.sustainability.ku.edu

STEP 4: Get Recognized!

Compost:

Backyard composting may not be feasible given the size of your house and number of meals prepared, but it is an option for small scale collection. Contact us at sustainability@ku.edu if you would like to discuss how to begin a compost system at your house.

Be sure to let the KU Center for Sustainability know about your efforts! You can share your initiatives with us on Facebook (facebook.com/KUsustainability) or on Twitter (@SustainKU). The Center for Sustainability is always available as a resource for your initiatives and is eager to help provide information and guidance.

Each spring, the Center for Sustainability organizes the Sustainability Leadership Awards to highlight outstanding leadership and creativity in addressing issues of environmental, economic, and social responsibility on the KU campus and in the broader community. Individuals, programs, and projects can be nominated. If your house is doing great things, be sure to tell sustainability@ku.edu about it or nominate your house for an award in the spring.

13

Create friendly competitions:- Recycling competitions- Energy conservation competitions- Fundraising competition for a community organization

Here’s a project for a house that really wants to excel at their sustainability game! While commercial food composting services don’t currently exist in Lawrence, several local entities, including KU, contract with Missouri Organic in Kansas City to collect food waste and compost at their facility. To explore this fee-based service for your house, visit missouriorganic.com.

Extend sustainabillity to your hosted events:- Promote your event digitally and print less material- Use reusable banners and decoration that can be reused at other events- Use reusable plates and utensils; or prioritize paper over styrofoam- Use washable table cloths and napkins- Plan for extra recycling collection and place signage so your guests know how to participate- Encourage or offer Nalgene-style water bottles instead of bottled water