The Green Initiative @ ITS

As part of our sustainability efforts, we are replacing the Crystal Geyser water bottles we buy each week for the ITS management area and room 238 with a standing water dispenser from Innowave. This will save $120-$170/month and it will reduce the amount of plastic we generate. Thanks to Rachel and Kathy for working on this solution!

Everyone in ITS should have received a green ceramic “Save a Cup…Save the World” coffee mug this afternoon. More mugs are on order for our friends in ACCRE. These mugs are a follow up to our previous efforts with reusable water bottles and the Energy Saving fact sheet. We are hoping that the mugs and water bottles will help reduce the demand for disposable paper cups. The less we use, the less we spend and the less we will have to dispose of each week!

As part of our Green Initiative, Tanish has recommended that ITS embark on a “Cardboard Recycling Pilot”.   To this end, Rich has approved using the space to the right of Michael Martin’s cube (as you face 18^th Avenue South) for storing broken down cardboard (minus any packing foam peanuts, bubble wrap, etc.).

Tanish has volunteered to periodically take the broken down cardboard to the recycling bin near Blakemore and Natchez Trace. 

The Network Services and Software Store teams have been recruited to formally participate in the pilot. Kudos to Tanish and Dave’s team for helping to “green” ITS!

Great news!  Plant Operations has confirmed that the recycling dumpsters currently located near Natchez Trace and Blakemore will be moved to the back of the Commons Center during August 2007.  We will be able to use the bins to recycle paper, cardboard, aluminum and plastic.  

In addition, a cardboard baler will be available in the recycling room off the loading dock.  ITS will be able to use this baler.  Compressing the cardboard will make it easier to transport and more valuable for Vanderbilt to sell. 

As part of our Green Initiative, we’ve distributed a list of suggestions for reducing, reusing, and recycling resources:

Reduce:

• Turn off lights
• Turn off monitors
• Open shades to use natural light
• Use the stairs and save the elevator for moving equipment
• Don’t leave the refrigerator door open
• Run the dishwasher only with full loads
• Use networked multi-function devices for printing, copying, faxing, etc.
• Unplug electrical devices when not in use
• Buy “Energy Star” computer equipment
• Use software to run multiple operating systems on one device rather than using a separate device for each OS
• Bring locally grown fruit as a snack and avoid using pre-packaged snacks from vending machines.
• Print double-sided
• Use motion detecting power strips
• Configure systems for sustainability
• Avoid idling the engine when driving ITS vehicles
• Convert “paper” subscriptions to “electronic”
• Walk to off-site meetings, restaurants, etc.

Reuse:

• Bring your own coffee cup to work
• Donate, redeploy, or remarket used equipment
• Use rechargeable batteries
• Use scrap paper for making “to do lists”, taking notes, etc.

Recycle:

• Recycle paper, boxes, toner cartridges, plastic bottles, phone books, etc.
• Recycle equipment

In addition, Vanderbilt’s SPEAR (Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Recycling) organization has donated water bottles to ITS so that we can offer our staff an alternative to using paper cups.  We have also ordered coffee mugs for each employee and will be distributing those soon.

Please continue to share your ideas for how we can reduce consumption while maintaining a high level of operational service to the Vanderbilt Community.  Thank you for your support!