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Faculty & Staff Want to clean-up and green up your office? You've come to the right place. SOAP will provide the tools SCU faculty and staff need as we work towards a more sustainable SCU.
This site is a work in progress... meaning as we receive questions and research issues, we'll add new information.
Have a question? Search by "category".
Come here often? Check out "archives" to see what's new since your last visit.
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 Going on a trip? Offset your emissions!
Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2009
CO2 offsets fund projects that have a positive ecological effect (like planting trees), thereby nullifying the negative effect of the pollution you create. Different programs benefit different projects, so you can choose to fund anything from solar stoves in African villages to containing methane from dairy farms. Here are a variety of sites to try with different focuses!
- Car
- Carbonfund: a nonprofit organization, so your contribution is tax deductible!
- NativeEnergy and TerraPass: each of these have tools to help you calculate your travel CO2.
- Plane
- Expedia and Travelocity both let you offset when you book plane tickets online.
- Some airlines, like Delta and United, include a carbon offset checkbox when you are booking tickets.
- Train
- Amtrak partners with Carbonfund, allowing you to offset 2,500 miles for $5!
The Offset Consumer lists the best offset providers, taking into account different ratings criteria.
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Make the best choice next time you grab fast food
Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2009
If you're on the road and have to grab something quick to eat, try to stop at these places versus others. Au Bon Pain, Chipotle, and Starbucks are better options, featuring some local and/or organic ingredients, recycled paper products, and more. Of the Top 10 most-frequented fast food restaurants, McDonald's and Subway are your best bets, incorporating recycled paper in their napkins and building storefronts that use eco-materials.
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Use foil instead of plastic wrap
Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2009
Unlike plastic wrap and waxed paper, you can buy 100% recycled aluminum foil and recycle it! It's better for your health too. Plastic wrap and waxed paper are made from petroleum and some contain carcinogenic PVC. Try Reynolds Recycled Aluminum Foil-just like conventional foil but in 100% recycled form. Go to Earth911 and type in aluminum foil and your zip code to find out if you can recycle it locally. It doesn't have to be spotless, but remove large chunks of food before putting it in the bin.
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Cleaner clothes
Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009
Did you know that many powder laundry detergents are petroleum-based? Additionally, the fragrances and harsh solvents (like ammonia) found in many popular brands can trigger allergies, asthma, and cause skin irritation. You can skip unhealthy chemicals and reduce packaging waste by purchasing concentrated eco-friendly options. Here are some brands to try: Mrs. Meyer's Laundry Detergent (concentrated), Ecover Laundry Powder, OxiClean Free, and Dropps (liquid detergent packets that biodegrade during the wash cycle. Approved by the EPA’s Design for the Environment Program. Click here to view a list of all products that participate in this program).
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Snacks on a plane
Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009
Planning ahead for your next flight will save you money and help reduce waste. Airlines use about 1 million disposable cups every 6 hours. By opting out of food and drinks you don’t want (or asking the crew to fill up your own reusable water bottle) means less trash. Since many airlines now charge for food and certain drinks, bring your own! You can also avoid overpriced bottled water in the terminal by simply filling yours up at the nearest water fountain.
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