Power strips, outlet timers and battery recycling are all ways to lower energy usage and reduce waste.Do you want to conserve resources, reduce costs and create a healthier, more sustainable workplace? Consider these five opportunities for action from UAB Sustainability Officer Bambi Ingram.
1. Participate in the UAB Green Office program
The voluntary UAB Green Office program gives units the chance to identify practices to save energy and earn different levels of certification based on those reductions.
A few examples:
- Use power strips with an on/off switch or an occupancy sensor to reduce “phantom load” energy use by electronics when no one is around. (You can request a free automated power strip by emailing greenoffice@uab.edu.)
- Use outlet timers to shut off power to microwaves, coffee makers, small appliances, printers and copiers after work hours. (You can request outlet timers for your office by emailing greenoffice@uab.edu.)
- Participate in UAB’s battery recycling program for non-rechargeable, alkaline batteries. (For more information or for pickups, email greenoffice@uab.edu.)
Getting started: Select a primary person for your office’s efforts and then complete the Green Office Certification online survey. A member of the UAB Sustainability team reviews the survey and then sets up a time to visit the office to share advice on ways to reduce energy use and environmental impact. “Any office can apply,” Ingram said.
2. Follow tips in the Green Events Guide
The Green Events Guide from UAB Sustainability offers simple advice for planning a sustainable or zero-waste event in your unit.
Buffet-style food at meals and other choices that are not individually wrapped can cut down significantly on waste. If your events often produce leftovers, you can consider establishing a relationship with a local receiving organization such as Magic City Harvest.A few examples from the guide:
- Before the event: Prioritize buffet-style food and request bulk containers for beverages, salad dressings and condiments, as this significantly reduces waste. Choose finger food or hors d’oeuvres that are not individually wrapped.
- During the event: Announce waste disposal procedures to the attendees at the start of the meeting, noting what can and cannot be recycled — and point out the recycling and trash bins.
- After the event: If you have enough events with food and often produce leftovers, you can consider establishing a relationship with a local receiving organization such as the Magic City Harvest or Junior League of Birmingham’s Second Servings.
“Waste is one of the easiest things we can address,” Ingram said. “A major part of sustainability is not using up resources we don’t have to. Landfills have a huge greenhouse gas emissions impact around the planet, and that is largely due to the organics thrown in there, including food waste.”
3. Consult the Green Purchasing Guide
Opting for products with recycled content or sustainable shipping materials can make a major impact, Ingram says. UAB Sustainability’s Green Purchasing Guide offers easy-to-follow tips on best practices.
A few examples:
- When purchasing online, check for filters that highlight sustainable options, such as the Climate Pledge Friendly setting on Amazon orders.
- Avoid rush or overnight shipping, if possible, because these options often have higher emissions.
- Try to avoid items made with plastic or polystyrene, and use aluminum, glass or silicone alternatives instead.
“We want people to mindfully purchase items that are made of recyclable materials,” Ingram said. Or avoid purchasing altogether by encouraging use of mugs and silverware brought from home rather than disposable options.
Set up a tour of the Solar House to see the Lomi and get other energy-saving ideas.Having a larger event and want to avoid single-use items? UAB Sustainability has a crate full of plates, cups and flatware that is available for loan.
4. Get inspired by touring the UAB Solar House
One great way to deal with leftover food and other organic waste is through composting. “There are no large-scale composters in the Jefferson County area that can accept food waste, but we are testing a Lomi device” at the UAB Solar House that can do the job on a smaller scale, Ingram said. Visit this link to book a tour of the Solar House to see the Lomi in action and see demonstrations of other sustainable devices and ideas.
5. Outfit your office sustainably
The UAB Surplus Warehouse stores a large amount of furniture and office equipment that units can select at no charge. Appointments are necessary and made in 30-minute increments. Up to two shoppers per department can come on the same appointment. They must be working on campus and available to accept delivery. Learn more and make an appointment here.