Greenbelt

Greenbelt
"To create and nurture a sustainable residential community that promotes student success, supports Furman's academic mission through contributions to borderless learning, and fosters intentional engagement among students, faculty and staff."

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS!!

Hi GB!

 I just wanted to inform you of the upcoming FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS .. They will take place between February 23rd-27th .. Please avoid having the following in your houses ..


- Candles, incense, etc.: common cause of campus fires
- Hot plates and other open-flame cooking devices: Can cause fires easily. George Foreman    grills are allowed
- Use of extension cords (power strips are allowed): Power strips stop power surges from damaging equipment...extension cords don't :-O
- Overloaded receptacles: Overworking the outlet can cause electrical surges
- Electrical cords under rugs, carpets or over bed: If they have a short, the fabric will catch on fire
- Excessive combustible decorations: More stuff that could burn in a fire
- Non-flame retardant curtains: More stuff that could burn in a fire
- Exit door and window blocked: If you are caught in a fire, you wouldn't be able to escape, or help couldn't get to you
- String lights (i.e. Christmas lights): See extension cords
- Smoke detector not flashing and/or covered with anything: We want to make sure the smoke detector is working properly
- Halogen lamps (not allowed): They get much hotter than regular bulbs
- Combustibles near heating devices: Helps us to decrease the chance of fire
- Open-flame grill: If your grill is by Nelly, Paul Wall (he's the People's Champ), or George Foreman, then you're okay. But if it requires open-flames, then you can't have it.
- Unauthorized loft: We want to make sure that your loft is safe.
- Emergency Procedure notice not on back of door: We want to make sure you know what to do in case of an emergency.

SPECIAL NOTE: Remember that your apartment should be clear of ALL prohibited items (illegal drugs & paraphernalia, alcohol, alcohol containers, string lights, extension cords, weapons, pets, pet paraphernalia, [ http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/hookah?view=uk ]hookahs, etc).

Plant Trees for Greenville Opportunity!

Tree Plantings
&
Volunteer Opportunities
 
e-mail me if you are interested!
Friday March 2nd Michelin NA
Sponsored by Michelin North America
Location: East North Street Elementary School
Time: 8:30 am - 3:30 pm

Saturday, March 3rd
Sponsored by AT&T
Location: Swamp Rabbit Trail
Address: Intersection of Swamp Rabbit Trail and New Roe Ford Rd.
Time: 9 am- 12 pm
Saturday March 10th
Sponsored by
Greenville News Logo
Location: Brutontown Community
Address: Brutontown Community Center - 200 Leo Lewis Rd., Greenville, 29609.
Time: 9 am - 12 pm
Saturday March 17th
Entercom
Sponsored By Entercom

Location: Freetown Community

Address: Freetown Community Center - 200 Alice Ave., Greenville, 29611

Time: 9 am - 12 pm
Sunday April 29th

ReLeaf Party &
Membership Drive
4 pm - 7 pm
Volunteers Needed
ReLeaf Party Volunteers
Volunteer shifts are available:
3 pm - 5 pm
5 pm - 7 pm
6 pm - 8 pm

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sustainability!

Going Green GB Style!

That’s right we have our own way of going GREEN and being in GB, we have an advantage but let’s go back to the basics and remember the simple ways to REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE to be a happy, SUSTAINABLE GB!


And don't worry .. Kermit the Frog was the one that said, “It’s not easy being green” and I’m sure Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West) would agree, but it doesn’t have to be! So let’s go for simple ways to decrease your carbon footprint and lessen your energy usage. And hey, so you don't get overwhelmed .. just pick a few tips and carry them out the rest of the semester and you will be well on your way to being GREEN!


In the HUT, CABIN and ECO COTTAGE:

·         Use compact fluorescent bulbs, which last longer and use less energy than regular bulbs

·         Turn off unnecessary electrical devices when you leave a room like your TV, lamps and other   devices

·         Enable your computer to go into "sleep mode" when not in us and Do not leave computers on all night – TURN ‘EM OFF or at least unplug them

·         Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use like unplugging your cell phone charger when charging is complete for instance

·         Use natural light rather than electric whenever possible – we have tons of windows and a great views both of the lake and the FARM .. you’ll miss it for sure next year!  

·         Pull down window shades at night in the winter and during the day in the summer to protect against the temperature fluctuations

·         Go old school -- try a standard phone with a cord instead of a cordless model, which requires constant energy. Oh yeah, I just told you to not walk and talk on the phone – it’s almost as bad as texting and driving (dangerous)

·         Turn off and defrost refrigerator over long breaks – See FU is on top of it!

·         Don't use power strips to turn on your computer and desk equipment all at once – Why? Because it’s an overload of energy – too much, too fast (like the 311 song, well almost)

·         Use reusable, washable cups and plates (Yes ‘Red Solo Cup’ is a terrific song, but let’s be real it’s not good for the landfill)

·         Buy a water filter and refill a reusable container instead of buying cases of bottled water – or just use TAP!  

In the bathroom:
·         Take shorter showers; don't run the water before getting in, and turn off the water when lathering. Just by reducing your shower time by about two minutes, you can save up to 1,000 POUNDS of CO2 from being emitted into the air. This is because you are using less electricity to heat the water, but you’re also conserving water at the same time.

·         Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and shaving

·         Report leaky faucets and showerheads – not only does the constant dripping get old fast, it wastes water!

In the laundry room:
·         Only wash full loads of laundry

·         Wash your clothes in cold water – This not only causes less heat damage to your clothing, but it also uses less electricity, which in return produces less CO2

·         Air dry whenever possible – we do have clothes lines outside for a reason

·         Use products containing the least amount of bleaches, dyes, and fragrances

In the classroom:
·         Use refillable binders instead of notebooks or use a laptop

·         Use recycled paper

·         Take notes on both sides of paper


Lucky number 13 – 13 Random Facts and Figures about Reducing, Reusing and Recycling and our Daily Habits .. The good, the bad and the Ugly:

·         1 pound per hour: the amount of carbon dioxide that is saved from entering the atmosphere for every kilowatt-hour of renewable energy produced.

·         35 percent: the amount of coal's energy that is actually converted to electricity in a coal-burning power plant. The other two-thirds is lost to heat.

·         2.5 percent: the percentage of humans' carbon dioxide emission produced by air travel now, still making it the largest transportation-related greenhouse gas emitter.

·         5 percent: the percentage of the world's carbon dioxide emissions expected to be produced by air travel by the year 2050.

·         1.5 acres: the amount of rainforest lost every second to land development and deforestation, with tremendous losses to habitat and biodiversity.

·         137: the number of plant, animal and insect species lost every day to rainforest deforestation, equating to roughly 50,000 species per year.

·         4 pounds, 6 ounces: the amount of cosmetics that can be absorbed through the skin of a woman who wears makeup every day, over the period of one year.

·         61 percent: the percentage of women's lipstick, out of the 33 tested, found to contain lead in a test by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

·         3 trillion: the number of gallons of water, along with $18 billion, the U.S. would save each year if every household invested in water-saving appliances.

·         64 million tons: the amount of material prevented from going to landfill or incineration thanks to recycling and composting in 1999.

·         95 percent: the amount of energy saved by recycling an aluminum can versus creating the can from virgin aluminum. That means you can make 20 cans out of recycled material with the same amount of energy it takes to make one can out of new material. Energy savings in one year alone are enough to light a city the size of Pittsburgh for six years.

·         113,204: the number, on average, of aluminum cans recycled each minute of each day.

·         3: the number of hours a television set can run on the energy saved from recycling just one aluminum can.
 Peace, Love, GB! Have a great, sustainable week!