What does it mean to Go Green?
To "Go Green" means to consider what impact your actions may have on the environment. UREC is looking at the department's daily operations and researching how we can reduce the impact we have on the environment.
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is the idea limiting the use of natural resources to a level in which said resources can be replaced naturally. Only use the amount of resources that can replaced by nature.
Why is Sustainability important?
Based on current research, people are using up more resources than nature can renew. Thus, the environment will not be able to keep up with our lifestyle indefinitely. If future generations are to have a safe and healthy environment to live in, we must limit the amount of resources we use to a sustainable level.
What is University Recreation doing to become Greener?
Leave No Trace - The Outdoor Connection Center is currently sponsoring the Leave No Trace program. This program is designed to educate Outdoor Recreation enthusiasts to minimize their impact on the natural world.
Bike to Work - UREC encourages the use of cycling as a form of transportation. People can save money and conserve gas when they cycle instead of drive. In the past we have sponsored events, such as the Bike to Work Day, to spread awareness of cycling. We have also created a site to see how much money you can save if you bike to work.
Recycling Program - UREC has recycling bins set up around the HPER Building and at all UREC Events.
Green Products - UREC is now using organic and/or recyclable t-shirts, promotional items, cleaning supplies, office supplies.
Donna Axum Fitness Center Green Elements:
ERC Wipes-Biodegradable wipes that are used to clean machines, equipment, etc. Easier to use than paper towels and spray bottle. Also cuts down on waste from paper towels. http://www.ercwipe.com/green-cleaning.html
EcoMill Treadmills- Self-powered treadmills that require 30% more energy expenditure than a powered treadmill. http://www.woodway.com/commercialtreadmills/ecomill.html
ReRev System- When members power the ellipticals the ReRev system takes the energy from the workout and converts it to electricity to power the HPER building. http://rerev.com/howitworks.html
Water Fountain with Water Bottle Filler- Gives members an opportunity to refill water bottles with filtered water instead of purchasing new bottled water. So far we have eliminated 6500 bottles of waste.
Recumbent/Upright Bikes, True Striders, AMT’s and Steppers- All of this equipment does not require electricity to operate. The user provides the power for the screen and resistance. This reduces our utility costs for the fitness center.
Bottle Recycling stations in Fitness Center- We offer recycling stations throughout the fitness center so patrons can recycle water bottles instead of throwing them away. This has decreased our trash and increased the amount we recycle.
What can you do to become Greener?
Use forms of Transportation that use less gas, such as Public Transportation, Cycling, Walking, or Car Pooling. The City of Fayetteville maintains a network of trails though out the city.
Check to make sure the tires on your car are properly inflated and the air filter is clean. This will improve your car's gas mileage.
If you must drive a car, plan out your trips to minimize the amount of driving. This will save on gas and limit the amount of carbon monoxide produced.
Buy locally grown or produced products. Local items require less gas to transport to the market. Fayetteville holds a Farmer's Market on Saturdays from April through November.
Bring your lunch to work. This will save you the car trip to go to a restaurant to buy food.
Recycle - By recycling used plastic bottles and newspapers, they can be reused, limiting the amount of plastic that needs to be produced. For those that don't live on campus or have at home pick-up, recycled products can be dropped off at the City of Fayetteville Recycling Drop-Off Site on Happy Hollow Road.
Bring your own bags when you go shopping at the store. The plastic grocery bags not only take a while to decompose but are a danger to wildlife.
Wait until you have a full load to run your dishwasher or laundry machines. This will save on water and electricity.
Check the power settings on your computer to see if they are set to save power. Energy Star has some suggested settings for power conservation.
Turn off lights and electronics when you are not using them.
Print on both sides of the paper.