RU sustainable?

Maybe you haven't been doing everything you can up to this point. That's OK, it doesn't matter as much where you have been in your process of being greener, as long as you take another step forward (2 or 3 steps would be even better). Everyone has to start somewhere, so why not start Today!

Ideas Students Faculty & Staff

Ideas

Attend Campus Events

Some SustainABILITY Events have included:

  • SustainABILITY Movie Series, educating & inspiring others to make more sustainable choices
  • Low Coal, an exploration of what it's like to live with the coal industry.
  • Electricity Fairy, examines America's national addiction to fossil fuels.
  • Paul Loeb, author of Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times.
  • Joel Salatin, operator of Polyface Farms and a noted sustainable farmer, author, & has appeared in the recent documentaries Fresh & Food, Inc.;
  • Fresh, a 2009 independent movie that celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system;
  • Radford University President Penelope W. Kyle signed the American College and University’s President’s Climate Commitment

Check out the News & Events page- events & info will be updated as soon as details come available.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

  • if you don't need it, don't use it or buy it (conservation is the easiest step, reduce your consumerism)
  • if you can reuse it, reuse it as many times as you can (or someone else can)
  • if you can't reuse it, recycle it (with a charitable organization or in recycling bins)

Volunteer your time, efforts, and/or money to something that you are passionate about. You may even be able to get help paying for school or use paid leave benefits. Where you spend your time, efforts, and money speak volumes about who you are and what you care about. Where do you spend yours? Find out more at RU, AmeriCorps, Serve.gov, or the Student Conservation Association.

Sustainable Endowment Institute's Get Involved Page has information for students, faculty, alumni & more

Submit your ideas, questions, comments, or share your green story here. Have you started carpooling? What about recycling at home? Let us know.

Here are a few examples of how some students have been involved-Joe, Nick, Aysha, Brittany. Share your story with others or maybe even develop your own class or project.

FB Like Button RU SustainABILITY Page-be notified of all the changes as they happen.

Students

Take a class- here are some courses with a sustainability component from Art to Ecomomics to Nursing.

Back to School Green Shopping List- find out great ways to get yourself ready for school & help save the planet at the same time.

Around Your Room (RU Green? Flyer)

  • use power strips (so electronics can be easily shut down or unplugged while not in use or on break)
  • use reusable shopping bags (recommend three) when shopping & reusable bottles for your beverages
  • shop local, start downtown; buy items with high recycled content in them (paper, clothes, furniture)
  • look for organic (see Publications page), fair-trade, or other environmentally-sensitive certifications for your purchases (clothes, sheets, cleaning supplies/detergent)
  • eat a low carbon diet; see how your dining choices affect the environment (calculator)
  • calculate your personal greenhouse gas emissions (see the Resources & Links page)
  • use CFLs for lamps (check out the Resources-Links page for FAQs) & turn off the lights
  • reduce your water usage by shutting off the water while brushing your teeth and taking shorter showers
  • ride your bicycle (bicycle rack map) or use the Radford Transit instead of driving
  • make sure the Energy Management Settings are activated on your computer & use the Paper Saving Guidelines

Get involved with an on-campus organization

Faculty & Staff

Around the office

  • use a reusable coffee mug
  • pack your lunch, eat a low carbon diet & calculate how your dining choices affect the environment
  • walk, bike (bicycle rack map), or carpool to the office
  • make sure the Energy Management Settings are activated on your computer & turn off the lights when not used for 15 minutes or more
  • ask yourself, "do you really need multiple monitors?"
  • don't print unless you have to (only 2-sided copies) & use the Paper Saving Guidelines
  • use power strips (so electronics can be easily shut down or unplugged while not in use or on break)
  • know where your closest recycling bins are located
  • calculate your personal greenhouse gas emissions (see the Resources & Links page)