How Green is the Green Terror?

 

 

 

 Examination of the Current Status of McDaniel College and Tips Students

Can Use to Become more "Green"

 

 

 

In order to determine how environmental friendly, or green, McDaniel College is, our group decided to examine the use of electricity, water and recycling on campus. First, we researched what was currently being done by the administration in order to conserve electricity, reduce water use, and promote recycling. In addition to this, we came up with tips and suggestions that students can use on campus to help diminish the negative impact that McDaniel College has on the environment. The video on this website was created for McDaniel College students; however, the information it contains can be used by anyone who wants to help save the environment- one change at a time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Electricity Conservation

 

 

 

 

What McDaniel College is Currently Doing:

1. George Brenton, director of the College’s physical plant, stated in an email correspondence that motion sensor lights are currently being used in the restrooms and hallways of Hill Hall, as well as the restrooms of ANW. (There are also plans underway to install them in more restrooms throughout the campus.)
2. The lights in Gill Gymnasium were recently switched to fluorescent bulbs from incandescent ones and are predicted to save “359,000-kilowatt hours yearly” (GHG... 2008). Brenton also stated that the lights in Old Gill will also be replaced in the near future.
3. The new paper printing management system has not only saved paper and toner waste, but it has also decreased electricity use associated with printers (Smith 2008)

 

What Students Can Do:

1. Students are encouraged to switch to fluorescent lights since they "use 25%–35% of the energy used by incandescent lamps to provide the same amount of illumination” and they also last about 10 times longer (Electricity Generation... 2008).
2. Students should should turn off their monitor if they’re not going to use it for more than twenty minutes (Reducing Your Electricity... 2008).
3. Monitors, printers, and other accessories should be plugged into a power strip, so when not in use the power strip can be turned off to cut back on the consumption of idle current (Muren 2008).
4. Turn off your computer at night. Most people sleep at this time and won’t be checking your AIM away message anyway.
5. It is also helpful to use directional lamps, which save electricity by targeting light where you need it most (Burby 2008).
6. Lastly, students should just remember that to turning off the lights, televisions and other appliances when leaving their dorm room can save kilowatts of electricity used by McDaniel College.

 

 

 

 

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Water Conservation

 

 

 

What McDaniel College is Currently Doing:

1. Last April, the Environmental Action Club instituted a trayless day in Englar Dining Hall.  The absence of trays saved a huge amount of water, and also resulted in deceased use of detergents and chemical drying agents, as well as decreased food waste. 

2. Part of the renovations of the Garden Apartments appear to have included low-flow shower heads.  (This has not been officially confirmed.)

3. Some of the sink faucets in campus buildings a timed.  However, many of the faucets still run for longer that the average flow of water is needed.

 

What Students Can Do:

1. Monitor use of water in the bathroom.  Specifically, turn off the faucet between steps during teeth brushing and hand washing; and take shorter showers, perhaps even turn off the water while lathering up.

2. Drink from a re-usable water bottle.  Students are less likely to accidentally or thoughtlessly through out a half-full re-usable water containers because they are personal property.  Excellent options include: Nalgene bottles (they now make some BPA free ones!), stainless steel bottles, or travel coffee mugs.

3. Be an advocate!  Encourage school administrators to install water-efficient utilities in campus buildings, such as low-flow faucets and showers, low- or dual-flush toilets, and water efficient washing machines. 

4. Don't use a tray in GLAR.  Carry what you can and make multiple trips if necessary. 

5. Pass it on!  Spread the word to your friends about the benefits of water conservation, and lead by example.  Talk the talk AND walk the walk.

 

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Recycling

 

 

What McDaniel College is Currently Doing:

1. The Recyclemania program that ran for 10 weeks collected 26,430 pounds of recyclables and provided the campus with more information about recycling (Environmental 2008).
2. President Develin Coley signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to combat the global climate crisis. The campus has also pledged to be carbon neutral in by 2009 (Environmental 2008).
3. Recycling bins are available in all of the residence halls as well as some academic and college buildings.
4. The school almost always uses recycled materials in their printing productions including the 728 page book of the college history Fearless and Bold (Environmental 2008).

 

What Students Can Do:

1. Remember commonly used recyclables such as batteries, plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, and printer cartridges so there is not confusion over what can be recycled.
2. Only put the appropriate recyclables in the designated bins. Materials such as batteries and printer cartridges cannot be recycled with paper.
3. Remove the caps from water bottles because they are not usually the same type of plastic as the bottle.
4. Use the reusable coffee mugs, water bottles, and shopping bags now for sale in the bookstore and the pub.

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Works Cited:

 

2008 GHG report for McDaniel College [Internet]. [updated 2008]. Lexington (KY): Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education; American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment [cited 2008 Nov 10]. Available from: http://www.aashe.org/pcc/reports/ghg-report.php?id=350

 

Burby, L. 2008. Ways to make college dorm room more eco-friendly. Newsday [Internet]. [cited 2008 Nov 10]; 2008 Aug 10. Available from: http://www.newsday.com/features/lifestyle/green/ny-green-ecodorms,0,6479424.story

 

Commonly Recycled Material [Internet]. [updated 2006]. [cited 2008 Nov 18]. Available from: http://www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/common.html

 

Electricity generation and environmental externalities: case studies [Internet]. [updated 2008]. Washington (DC): Energy Information Administration, Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government; [cited 2008 Nov 10]. Available from: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/external/external_sum.html

 

 

 

Environmental Sustainability. McDaniel College [Internet]. [updated 2008]. [cited 2008 Nov 18]. Available from: http://www.mcdaniel.edu/8564.htm

 

 

How does electricity affect the environment? [Internet]. [updated 28 Dec 2007]. Washington (DC): U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [cited 2008 Nov 10]. Available from: http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/index.html

 

 

Muren, D. How to go green: dorm rooms [Internet]. [updated 2008]. Silver Spring (MD): Discovery Channel, Planet Green; [cited 2008 Nov 10]. Available from: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/dorm-rooms/dorm-rooms-basics.html

 

Reducing your electricity use [Internet]. [updated 2008]. Washington (DC): U.S. Department of Energy, A Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; [cited 2008 Nov 10]. Available from: http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index.cfm/mytopic=11140

 

Silvestri, M. 2008. McDaniel College joins schools in growing green movement. The Examiner [Internet]. [cited 2008 Nov 10]; 2008 Mar 20. Available from: http://www.examiner.com/a-1289675~McDaniel_College_joins_schools_in_gro

wing_green_movement.html

 

 

Smith, J. 2008. The greening of McDaniel. News@McDaniel Online Bi-Monthly Newsletter [Internet]. [cited 2008 Nov 10]; 2008 Apr 22. Available from: http://www.mcdaniel.edu/8526.htm