12 Easy "Green" Tips

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, the Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) on the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute has provided the following 12 tips for scientists and staff who want to help preserve the environment.

• Minimize printing. Make presentations available electronically. When required, print double-sided and always avoid color copies.
  
  
• Close your fume hood or biosafety cabinet when not in use or lower it to the safest possible sash height. Because of the "once-through" conditioned air system in the labs, this will save substantially on the institute's energy use.
  
  
• Buy energy-efficient appliances and equipment for lab and home. Look for "energy star" on appliances and computers. Switch from incandescent to fluorescent bulbs.
  
  
• Turn off lights and put the computer in "sleep" mode when leaving a room.
  
  
• Recycle. Follow campus recycling guidelines. Avoid putting non-hazardous materials into hazardous waste or biohazardous waste bins, which require expensive and energy-intensive disposal.
  
  
• Avoid using disposables whenever possible. Use ceramic mugs and reusable water bottles instead of bottled water and disposable paper or styrofoam cups.
  
  
• Reduce the impact of your commute – use a carpool or drive a more fuel-efficient car. Check out Scripps Florida's GreenWheels driving tips.
  
  
• Use fewer hazardous materials and give preference to green chemistry, replacing toxic solvents and cleaners with less hazardous ones, wherever practical.
  
  
•  Consider energy conservation and recycling as part of all new projects.
  
  
•  Conserve water. Report leaks. Do not run water when not needed.
  
  
•  Do not buy more than you will use soon. This applies to paper, chemicals, food, etc.
  
  
•  Choose locally grown organic foods, reducing pollutants and CO2 emissions associated with long-distance shipping.

In Florida, scientists and staff can look out for more useful information from the EH&S group during the coming week. Questions should be directed to Florida EH&S at (561) 228-3066.

In California, the EH&S team invites the campus community to attend several events. On Tuesday, April 21, Steven Relyea, vice chancellor of business affairs at the University of California, San Diego, will speak on "Sustainability 2.0," at 3 PM in the W.M. Keck Foundation Amphitheater, Beckman Building. On Wednesday, April 22, the first annual Green Feat Expo will be held from 11 AM to 1 PM on the walkway in front of the Immunology building. On Thursday, April 23, free home e-waste disposal is available at the CimBio (Carr B) building, 3215 Merryfield Row, from 8 AM to 1 PM. More details on all of these events are available at the Green Feat website, http://www.scripps.edu/researchservices/ehs/greenfeat/. For questions and additional information, please contact California EH&S at (858) 784-8240.

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

Earth Day provides an opportunity to reflect on how to help
protect the environment.