Taking a More Comprehensive Approach

For many years, student leaders, staff, and volunteers with the Associated Students Inc. have been working to deliver the organization's programs and services in ways that make wise use of our natural resources. To build on these departmental efforts, the ASI has recently brought together a comprehensive group of these ASI/TSU managers, student leaders, and other interested parties to brainstorm additional ways of delivering ASI services to the campus community in ways that promote greater environmental sustainability. Below are some of the ASI's more recent sustainability initiatives:

1. Recycled and/or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper products & print materials

   ASI/TSU Marketing and TSU Graphic Services are using recycled and/or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper products for print marketing pieces. The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world's forests.

2. Waterless Urinal Experiment

   The Titan Student Union's Courtyard Men's Restroom was recently equipped with four water free urinals (each of which is expected to save 15,000 to 20,000 gallons of water annually). This equipment switch-out may be expanded to additional public restrooms in the student union if the trial is successful.

3. SRC/TSU Re-Lamp Efforts Using More Energy Efficient Bulbs

   Since Oct. 2009, approximately 2,000 florescent light-bulbs have been re-placed in the Student Recreation Center and Titan Student Union with more energy efficiency bulbs while also improving overall lighting levels.

4. Xeriscape Landscape Outdoor Planter

   The student-led Environmental Advocacy Committee along with TSU Building Engineering is in the process of developing an experimental outdoor planter, immediately south of the student union. Xeriscape landscape is being used in a garden outside the student union near the Garden Café. This type of landscape consists of drought tolerant plants and is designed to be water wise.

5. Composting

   ASI and the CSUF Arboretum will be partnering in a new composting project. Beginning 2/18/10, Building Engineering will deliver all yard waste to the Arboretum. The staff at the Arboretum will maintain the compost pile (which requires turning and watering) and then return the compost to the ASI upon request. This compost will be used to feed the lawns and beds surrounding the Titan Student Union, Student Recreation Center, and Children’s Center. During this pilot we will be tracking the following:

   • Number of cubic yards diverted from landfills
   • Reduction in waste
   • Number of cubic yards returned as compost
   • Cost savings

6. Cardboard Recycling

   The Titan Student Union has changed out one of its trash dumpsters with a cardboard recycling bin. There are numerous benefits to recycling cardboard including: Every ton of recycled cardboard saves 390 kilowatt hours of electricity, 1.1 barrels (46 gallons) of oil, 6.6 million Btu’s of energy, over 9 cubic yards of landfill space, and 24% of the total energy needed for the production of virgin cardboard. (Source)

7. Recycled paper products in the Student Recreation Center & Titan Student Union Lavatories

   Recycled paper products, including toilet paper and seat liners, are now being used in the Student Recreation Center and Titan Student Union. Toilet paper purchased for these facilities contains 100% recycled material (40% post consumer material and 60% secondary recycled material) while the seat liners contain 100% post consumer recycled material. Additionally, coreless toilet paper, which eliminates the waste of traditional toilet paper roles with a cardboard center, are also being used on a trial basis throughout the student union and recreation center facilities.

8. Coreless Toilet Paper

   

   With this new product, the TSU is estimated to divert nearly 500 pounds of waste each year.

9. Dyson Airblade Hand Dryers

   

   Two have been installed in the Student Recreation Center, one in each locker room. Eight additional dryers will be installed by July, replacing a total of 10 paper towel dispensers.

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10. iCare Festival

    

    Titan Recreation, a program of Associated Students, CSUF, Inc., is looking to continue its mission of being “green,” and will host its first iCare Festival on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Designed to get the campus and local community inspired to lead a green and healthy lifestyle, the festival will feature a 5k run/walk, youth 1k, a vendor fair showcasing eco-friendly campus clubs and organizations, and a children’s education/play area. Following the race, event participants will have the opportunity to enjoy organic wine tastings, food trucks, and complimentary chair massages poolside at the Student Recreation Center while listening to the band The Naked Eye.

    Cal State Fullerton students and other members of the campus and surrounding community are invited to come out and participate in this premiere eco-experiential event to help raise awareness, rally support, and cultivate change. Donations of new and/or gently used shoes will also be collected during the festival and given to Soles4Souls, a charity that distributes donated items to those in need in more than 125 countries including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal and the United States.

    Campus clubs and organizations are encouraged to participate in the vendor fair and can register by calling the Student Recreation Center at (657) 278-3978. For more information about Titan Recreation, the iCare Festival, or to register for the 5k/youth 1k, visit asi.fullerton.edu/iCareFestival/ or contact Victor Hernandez at (657) 278-3978.

L to R: Matthew Hendricks, Brandon Fee and Brian Maddock from the Titan Student Union's Building Engineering department place drought tolerant plants, including native and succulent species, outside of the Titan Student Union to create a landscape design that is water wise.

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Make the Earth Clean...a few ideas for "going green"

Calculate Your Carbon Footprint

Your "carbon footprint" is a measure of your impact on the environment, in terms of the carbon dioxide emitted as a result of your daily activity. Use this calculator to estimate your carbon footprint from the energy you use and the vehicle you drive—and learn how PG&E can help you reduce your footprint.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

• Be conscious of the number of copies you are making and use electronic communication when applicable.
• When printing photocopies, make double-sided copies.
• Help reduce the amount of trash that goes in to our landfills. Use non-disposable dishes, glasses and utensils.
• Reduce the amount of junk mail and subscriptions to newspapers, magazines and promotional materials - consider reading electronic/online versions instead.
• Turn off all computer equipment, machinery or other mechanical appliances when not in use.
• Use natural lighting, particularly near windows or corridors which do not require bright lighting.
• Use/make your own natural cleaning supplies with lemon juice, baking soda, soap.
• Be conscious of your shower time and try to keep it three minutes or less.
• Avoid using excessive amounts of water by using a broom to clean driveways and sidewalks rather than a hose.
• Run your dishwasher/washing machine only when you have full loads.

Learn more about ASI and the Environmental Advocacy Committee’s ongoing efforts and the ongoing sustainability efforts in the Student Recreation Center.