Green Tips
USE FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
Florescent light bulbs have been around for over twenty years. But only recently have bulbs that will easily fit into regular sockets come on the market. Many new bulbs use 1/4 the energy of standard light bulbs but provide the same amount of light. They also last for years.
TURN OFF POWER STRIPS
Most modern electronics don't fully turn off when you hit the power button. Many continue to consume energy while they are 'turned off'. The Federal Government has cited appliances in sleep mode as one of the largest ways Americans waste energy.
UNPLUG CHARGERS
Chargers for cellphones and other adapters continue to use electricity even when you don't have something plugged into them. This is because they are actually transformers.
DRINK TAP WATER
Tap water requires less energy to produce then pop, sports drinks, bottled water, caffeinated drinks or energy drinks. Tap water is also regularly tested and held to strict standards. Not all bottled water is tested. The City of San Francisco has banned bottled water in City Offices. This is due to the millions of bottles that are filling their landfills.
BATCH COOK
Cooking once every two days instead of every day can help save energy.
ONLY WASH FULL LOADS
Whether your using the dishwasher or washing machine this holds true. The washing machine or dish washer still has to use the same amount of energy whether you are washing a full or partial load.
SHARE THE A.C.
Try to spend the hottest part of the day in a place where the A.C. is free. That way you are sharing the A.C. and saving the energy you would use to cool your apartment or home.
BOX FANS INSTEAD OF A.C.
If you spend the hotter part of the day sharing A.C. you can use box fans at home in the evenings in place of running the A.C.
GROCERY SHOP WEEKLY
If you only run to the store once a week you will save on gas and maintenance costs related to all the extra trips you usually take.
CARPOOL
This will help to cut down on energy use and also make the air easier to breathe for everyone.
USE PUSH VACUUMS
If you opt to use a push vacuum for small messes and save your electric vacuum for weekly cleaning you will save energy.
USE MORE BLANKETS/DRESS WARM
If you use more blankets and simply dress warmer you can turn down your thermostat. The cost of an additional blanket will pay for itself in energy savings.
USE HEAT PRODUCING APPLIANCES AT NIGHT
By using heat producing appliances at night your A.C. doesn't have to compete against inside and outside heat sources.
WALK/BIKE
Walking to class or biking is not only good for you but good for your wallet and our shared natural environment.
USE RESUABLE BAGS
Whether for your lunch or for shopping this helps to conserve resources.
GREEN LIVING BEYOND CAMPUS
BIKE TO CLASS!
Get fit and help the planet. WSU recently installed several new bike racks around campus. A big thank you to Woody Depointer at the Physical Plant for the new bike racks.
REGISTER TO VOTE!
This form can be used for any county in Kansas.
http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/elections/applications/voterregistration.pdf
RECYCLE
Please visit our community resources page for a listing of local places to recycle.
FREECYCLE
Share your unwanted household items with someone looking for that thing. Check out freecycle.org or the local Wichita Freecycle Group.
GIVE LOCALLY
His Helping Hands is a local charity where you drop off household items and clothing and it is given to those in need. You can also check out the Nonprofit Chamber of Service listing of local charities and nonprofits to find a place to donate your stuff.
GREEN LIVING TIPS
Check out our listing of simple ways to live green.
USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Wichita Public Transportation-The buses are already running. Save gas and Co2.
Nighttime Q-Line Public Transportation-The unknown nighttime bus service.
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