Green Tips

Be an ENERGY star!

• Walk, bike, take the TARC bus or carpool to campus whenever possible.
  
  Turn it Off!
  
• Set thermostats moderately (<70°F winter / >75°F summer) & adjust 10°F when vacating a room.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL).
• Purchase only efficient Energy Star® rated appliances, electronics & computers.
• Use a clothesline instead of energy hogging clothes dryers.
• Set computers to “hibernate” or "sleep" when idle (under Control Panel > Power Options).
• Turn lights and equipment off when vacating a room. Unplug chargers & equipment not in use.

Reduce WASTE!

• Cut paper use in half by duplexing – printing or copying on both sides.
• Avoid excess packaging by bringing my own bags and buying in bulk whenever possible. UofL employees can reuse packing materials like boxes and bubble wrap through our online Property Exchange listings.
• At the checkout, refuse new plastic or paper bags and bring your own reusable shopping bags (available for purchase on campus for under $2 at The Nest, Simply To Go, and Quick Zone).
  
• At mealtimes, use reusable mugs, cups, utensils, cloth napkins and towels rather than disposables. Save 50 cents with a reusable mug every time you fill up on coffee, tea, or fountain drinks at any UofL dining facility.
  
• Switch to rechargeable batteries rather than toxic disposables.
• Don't print e-mails or other documents unless it’s truly necessary.
• Buy pre-owned items whenever possible or new items with post-consumer recycled content.
• Donate unwanted items to charities, thrift stores, or non-profit organizations; or have a yard sale! UofL employees can give these items new life through UofL Surplus or our online Property Exchange listings.
  
• Recycle computers, TVs, E-waste: 636 Meriwether Ave. MetroCall: 311. Home Depot recycles CFLs. UofL employees can recycle these items through our E-scrap program and our Toner/Ink Cartridge recycling program.
  
• Take hazardous materials (paints, solvents, chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, etc.) to Haz Bin 7501 Grade Lane. UofL employees should work with the Department of Environmental Health and Safety to handle these materials responsibly.
• Recycling is a breeze at UofL!
  
  Recycle waste cooking oil: Get a FREE 1-gallon recycling bin to turn waste cooking oil from your kitchen into renewable biodiesel (just as UofL Dining is doing!).
  
• Compost your food scraps and organic wastes in one of the Garden Commons composting bins behind the Cultural Center, or start composting at home!
• Recycle paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and glass - all in the same bin at UofL!

Eat better FOOD!

• Buy locally grown produce, dairy, and meats; and locally made foods. Eating locally saves the resources needed to ship and preserve food while supporting local jobs, farms and businesses. Find local delights through our Food page or visit:
    → Gray Street Farmers' Market – Thursdays 10:30-2:00 (May-Oct), 400 block E. Gray St. (HSC)
• Eat less meat and animal products, substituting with plant protein (beans, nuts, etc.) to cut your impact as much as ten times.
  
• Buy organic, fair trade & plant-based products to minimize abuse to the environment, people & animals.

Conserve WATER!

• Don't run water unnecessarily while brushing you teeth, shaving, or washing dishes.
• Report leaks in faucets, valves, fixtures, or toilets to Physical Plant immediately for repair: Repair request form here. Call 852-6241.
• Replace water fixtures with low-flow shower heads, faucets and/or toilets.

Do More...

• Additional Green Tips are published weekly in UofL Today. Check out our log of past Green Tips.
• Get more great ideas at kyGREENtv where you can pledge to Do Something Green!