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A sustainable guide to thrifting

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 16:48:31 +0000

A sustainable guide to thrifting Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 12/15/2024 - 09:48

Lauren Mullen and Kate Huun

Thrifting goes hand in hand with a sustainable lifestyle. With Americans throwing away over 13 million tons of clothing each year, fast fashion and overconsumption lead to excess waste in landfills, carbon emissions from textile manufacturing and depletion of resources. Thrifting promotes sustainability by diverting clothing from landfills for reuse. You can participate in thrifting by donating unwanted clothing and purchasing used clothing instead of buying new.

The importance of thrifting for sustainability

Less clothing in landfills: Most clothes are made from synthetic materials, which take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. When you thrift, you help extend the life of clothes, which can reduce the volume of clothing sent to landfills each year.
Fewer wasted resources: Making clothes takes a lot of water. One pair of jeans is estimated to use about 1,800 gallons of water in the manufacturing process and cotton growth. Thrifting keeps clothing in use for longer, which can help limit wasted resources through decreased demand for new products.
Reduce chemical pollution: Most cotton used to make clothing is genetically modified, which means the growing process is pesticide-intensive. Pesticides can lead to soil acidification and water contamination. Textile manufacturing can also involve harmful dyes and crude oil by-products. The environmental risk increases when excess chemicals leak into areas surrounding the manufacturing facilities, which can contaminate surface and groundwater.

The benefits of thrifting for consumers

Thrifting benefits not only the environment but also consumers. Here are ways you can benefit by participating in thrifting.

Save money: You can save money by purchasing secondhand clothing. Thrift stores often have much lower prices than buying new items.
Update your style: Thrifting offers a wide variety of clothing types and styles to help you develop a unique and functional wardrobe.
Lower-cost luxury: Thrift stores often have vintage items or designer products at a fraction of the initial cost. You can elevate your wardrobe on a budget.
Social responsibility: You can feel good about disposing of unwanted clothing by donating to a thrift store instead of throwing items away.

Alternatives to thrifting

Thrifting isn’t the only way to keep unwanted clothing out of landfills. The EPA estimates that 84% of donated clothing ends up in landfills and incinerators. When donating, consider whether the items are functional to avoid passing the burden of disposal on to others. Here are other ways to give your clothing a second life.

Make a trade: Plan a clothing swap with your friends, residence hall, student organization or another group.
Alternative donations: Donate directly to those in need, like to a homeless center or domestic violence shelter. Often, these organizations have information on their websites about how or where to donate.
Repair and repurpose: If you have clothing that isn’t in good condition, consider making repairs or reusing the item for a different purpose. For example, you can use old T-shirts as cleaning cloths.
Make it last: Save and store unique items that you may not wear regularly to use for costumes or theme parties.

Things to keep in mind before going thrifting

It’s easy to over-buy when thrifting due to cheaper prices. However, buying things you don’t need just continues the waste cycle. Make sure nothing you purchase ends up back in the donation box. Before you buy an item, consider the following:

Would I buy this if it were brand new?
Do I have things in my closet that I can wear with this?
If I plan to repair an item, do I have the time and materials to do so?
Do I have something like this in my closet already?
Will this fit me? (size, style, etc.)

Start thrifting

Boulder has many local thrift stores within walking distance of campus. Check out this map of thrift stores in the Boulder area.

Behaviors like thrifting instead of buying new can positively impact our environment. Join the Sustainable Buffs community to get more involved.

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Celebrating Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar- A Champion of Sustainable Labs

Jenna Morrow — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:31:12 +0000

Celebrating Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar- A Champion of Sustainable Labs Jenna Morrow Mon, 10/07/2024 - 09:31

We’re thrilled to congratulate Dr. Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, Green Labs Program Manager at CU Boulder, on receiving the prestigious Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award at the 2024 International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) conference. This is I2SL’s highest honor, recognizing individuals who demonstrate exceptional initiative, creativity, and dedication to advancing sustainable research practices in laboratories. Kathryn’s leadership at CU Boulder and beyond has set a global example of sustainable research.

Since 2009, Kathryn has significantly advanced the culture of sustainability in labs at CU Boulder. As the founder of the CU Boulder Green Labs Program, one of the first of its kind in the United States, she has introduced innovative solutions for energy, water, and resource savings in research labs. Her leadership has led to impactful initiatives, such as improving cold storage efficiency, fostering equipment sharing, and launching campus campaigns like "Shut the Sash," all aimed at reducing lab-related emissions. The CU Boulder Green Labs Program has become an exemplary program influencing the creation of similar programs at numerous research campuses across the US and beyond as a result of Kathryn’s leadership.

What started as a campus initiative at UC Davis and CU Boulder quickly evolved into a global movement. Allen Doyle with UC Davis and Kathryn co-founded the International Freezer Challenge—an initiative now run annually by My Green Lab and I2SL that has saved millions of kilowatt-hours of energy worldwide—underscores the ability to translate innovate green lab ideas into global solutions. This challenge has encouraged labs across the world to optimize their cold storage practices, setting an example of how small, focused efforts can lead to large-scale environmental impact.

Kathryn’s work with I2SL doesn’t stop there. As chair of the University Alliance Group (UAG), she brings together green lab professionals from institutions across the US (and internationally) to share best practices and work toward a more sustainable research environment. Additionally, through the Bringing Efficiency to Research (BETR) Grants initiative, she created a tool, in collaboration with the UAG, to help scientists integrate sustainability into their grant proposals, connecting funding opportunities with environmentally responsible research practices. These grant efforts have also inspired the creation of the Million Advocates for Sustainable Science which is an effort requesting action by funders to encourage and expect environmental sustainability in the way research is conducted.

What truly sets Kathryn apart is her commitment to sharing knowledge and mentoring others. Whether she’s speaking at international conferences, leading sustainable lab workshops, or collaborating on global campaigns, Kathryn’s passion for green lab practices is contagious. Her work has inspired a new generation of researchers to consider the environmental footprint of their work and take action to reduce it.

Kathryn’s journey from postdoctoral researcher in biochemistry to a leader in the global green labs movement is a testament to following your passion and making a difference. She left the lab bench driven by the realization that scientific research had a significant environmental impact—and that she could change that. Today, her work continues to challenge institutions and scientists worldwide to rethink how their research affects the planet and what steps they can take to make their labs more sustainable.

Kathryn’s journey is a powerful reminder that no matter your field, you have the ability to make meaningful changes. Whether in the lab, your workplace, or your community, you can drive sustainable practices. Start by checking out these 4 simple actions you can take in your lab and explore more about Kathryn’s impactful work on the CU Boulder Green Labs webpage.

Dr. Kathryn Ramirez-Aguilar, CU Boulder’s Green Labs Program Manager, has received the prestigious Phil Wirdzek Leadership Award for her global leadership in advancing sustainable research practices, including co-founding the International Freezer Challenge and establishing the CU Boulder Green Labs Program.

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BCycle is Leveling Up! Here’s What It Means for Your Rides at CU Boulder

Jenna Morrow — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 02:11:33 +0000

BCycle is Leveling Up! Here’s What It Means for Your Rides at CU Boulder Jenna Morrow Sun, 10/06/2024 - 20:11

Never Used BCycle?

Here’s What You’re Missing

If you’ve ever spotted those white bikes docked around campus, that’s BCycle! It’s a bike share service that lets you pick up a bike from one of the many stations around Boulder and ride wherever you need to go—whether it’s class, the grocery store, or just exploring the city. Your student pass includes an unlimited number of 60-minute trips. So, whether you’re a current user or thinking about joining, it’s still one of the best ways to get around without the hassle of owning a bike. Once you’re done, return the bike to any BCycle station. It’s simple, sustainable, and perfect for students who want to skip parking fees or reduce their carbon footprint.

BCycle is Joining Forces with Bicycle Transit Systems!

Hey Buffs, we’ve got some exciting news to share about BCycle—CU Boulder’s go-to bike share service! Starting October 1st, BCycle will officially become part of Bicycle Transit Systems (BTS), a woman-owned, LGBTQ-owned, and women-led company making waves in the bike-sharing world. BTS has been running bike share systems in cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas for years, and now they’re teaming up with BCycle to bring even more awesome services to communities like Boulder.

What’s This New Move Mean for You?

Same BCycle, just better. BCycle will keep running smoothly as always—no interruptions to your rides! BTS will take over operations, ensuring the same great access to bikes that you rely on to get around campus and Boulder.

More bikes, more cities, more growth. In the last month alone, BCycle has added 45 new docks and 2 new stations at Kittridge West and Stearns East, giving you even more spots to grab a bike. Plus, BCycle has installed a 50-battery charging locker, making it easier and faster for BCycle to swap and charge depleted batteries for electrified bikes! After this acquisition, BTS will become the largest docked bike share provider in the U.S., offering services in even more cities like Santa Cruz, Salt Lake City, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis. This means more communities will benefit from expanded mobility options, including electrified bikes, with BTS leading the charge in sustainable transportation.

Why This Matters

This acquisition is a game-changer. BTS is now North America’s only company offering fully integrated end-to-end services for dock-based bike sharing. With this expanded reach, BTS can innovate even faster, providing real-time solutions to meet city-specific challenges like climate change, equity, and safety.

As Bicycle Transit Systems Founder Alison Cohen put it, "With greater flexibility and oversight of end-to-end services, we can design real-time solutions to the pressing equity, safety, and climate challenges cities face today."

For Boulder, this means you’ll keep enjoying the same quality bike share system, while BTS continues to make improvements that benefit riders and cities alike. Whether it’s more electrified bikes, better customer support, or a seamless ride experience, you’ll be part of this exciting evolution.

BCycle, CU Boulder’s bike share service, is now part of Bicycle Transit Systems, bringing expanded access, more stations, and enhanced services for riders in Boulder and beyond.

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CU Boulder's annual sustainability summit sets Climate Action Plan in motion

Anonymous — Tue, 07 May 2024 06:00:00 +0000

CU Boulder's annual sustainability summit sets Climate Action Plan in motion Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 05/07/2024 - 00:00

In a celebration of current sustainability efforts and undertaking to improve climate-action initiatives, the Environmental Center, in collaboration with several campus partners, hosted the 31st Annual Campus Sustainability Summit at CU Boulder April 24-25.

The summit continues to serve as a pivotal gathering for bringing people together to explore solutions, forge partnerships and celebrate achievements in CU Boulder climate and sustainability initiatives.

From featured presenter Dr. Anu Taranath to campus initiatives exhibits, this year’s summit marked another milestone in the ongoing pursuit for environmental stewardship and served as a dynamic platform for faculty, staff and students to exchange ideas and uphold transformative action.

Campus Leadership Forum

During a campus leadership forum at the summit, members of the Campus Sustainability Executive Council announced the official release of the Climate Action Plan (CAP). The goals outlined in the CAP are a 50% reduction in emissions from the 2019 baseline by 2030 and a clear path to a zero emissions target by no later than 2050.

Chief Operating Officer and Chair of the Campus Sustainability Executive Council Patrick O’Rourke stated that the CAP is ready to go from design to action.
“Now is the point where we hit a transition, and now we have a set of commitments and principles we need to follow and honor those commitments to the community. So I’m excited about that,” he said.

All of the forum’s panelists stressed that input from campus and community stakeholders is essential to the success of this plan. The active engagement from every participant throughout the two-day summit reinforced that finding that essential input won’t be a challenge.

“The campus has a history with sustainability; not just in terms of what we do on campus, but we’ve got talented faculty, we’ve got students who are energized and engaged, and we’re working on integrating sustainability into all parts of the curriculum so that when somebody leaves CU with a degree, they will also know the roles and responsibilities we all have as we think about the planet,” O’Rourke said.

Student Ideas Showcase

Students, in particular, exhibited their passion for the topic through a presentation of over 20 pioneering ideas at the Student Ideas Showcase. Ranging from biodegradable Nerf dart blasters to a solar-powered Folsom Field, from AI-integrated waste sorting bins to biofibers spinning machines, these ambitious creations indicate that students' minds are already on the right track.

“I think the distance between the good ideas and where we already are is not that far, and actually trading those ideas into real things we could do doesn’t feel like that outlandish of an idea. So I feel pretty optimistic about some of that,” Joshua Radoff, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy (RSE) Specialization lead, said when reflecting on how sustainability planning on campus is evolving.

Students who competed in the showcase were awarded $10,000 in cash prizes funded by the CU Climate Action Fund and CU President’s Sustainable Solutions Challenge. Read about all of the student projects.

Summit Activities

The summit featured three informational sessions, each addressing critical aspects of sustainability at CU Boulder:

"Decarbonizing Food Pathways" offered insights into ongoing campus initiatives aimed at minimizing emissions within the food sector.
"Buffs vs. Plastics" delved into strategies that combat single-use plastics, aligning with this year’s Earth Day theme, "Planet vs. Plastics."
"Innovating Sustainability Education in the Classroom and Beyond" explored new approaches to climate-action education, including further discussion around Provost Russell Moore’s Sustainable Futures Common Curriculum that made environmental stewardship a focal point in CU Boulder's strategic alignment of education plans.

Additionally, attendees could partake in the Zero Waste outreach team’s Drop ‘N’ Swap event, where they could pick up free pre-loved clothing.

“The Drop-n-Swap is a super important event on campus because it gives students the opportunity to encounter free and accessible resources that not everyone is lucky and fortunate enough to have,” senior Elizabeth Rosenberger said.

Micah Borkan, co-chair of the CU Student Government Environmental Board, suggested starting with the Environmental Center to any student looking to get involved in sustainability efforts on campus and beyond.

“For me, the Environmental Center was really the first place I found community at CU as a transfer student who got here at the beginning of my junior year last fall; and I think that it really is that gateway for students to be involved in sustainability in a place and in a space that they can feel the effects of the change that they are making,” Borkan said.

Amidst the ample opportunities to engage in environmental action on campus year-round, the Campus Sustainability Summit continues to foster collaboration and inspire a shared commitment to sustainability among faculty, staff and students alike.

Student Ideas Showcase Award Winners

Grand Prize: Biofibers Spinning Machine for Sustainable Smart Textiles – by Eldy S. Lazaro Vasquez and Xin Wen
Overall Runner-up: Footprints – by Andre Daley, Usman Khan and Simon Schaab
Innovation: De-CAN-taminator – by Julia Abboud, Hussain Almatruk, Tristan Johnston, Alex Lu and Kaitlyn Vu
Creativity: Carbon Quest – by Gavin Fortin, Ayah Husain, Adam Kaddoura, Sophia Novello and Annika Ott
Climate Impact: Collegiate Wind Competition – by Preston Brumley, Elyse DeBarros, Megan Finnigan, Julia Gentile, Jacqueline Hall, Dongggyu Jang, Carver Lindley, Mia Lonergan, Aria Mundy, Loren Peterson, Stewart Rojec and Daniel Sherry
Human Impact: Microgrids in Mexico – by Dillion Hardwick in collaboration with Rancho Feliz Charitable Foundation
Campus Impact: Paths to Circulatrity – by Krystal Geevarughese
Audience Choice: Smart Mirror – by Ryan Chen, Zubin Cheruvallath, Brendan Maline, Will Minton, Xander Santangelo and Ahmed Zainaddin

The Annual Campus Sustainability Summit continues to serve as a pivotal gathering for bringing people together to explore solutions, forge partnerships and celebrate achievements that make CU Boulder a leading campus for climate and sustainability initiatives. Learn more about highlights from this year's summit.

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The CUSG Energy and Climate Fund brings most energy efficient ULT freezer to CU Boulder

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

The CUSG Energy and Climate Fund brings most energy efficient ULT freezer to CU Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/25/2024 - 00:00

Utilizing the CUSG Energy and Climate Fund, the Environmental Center and Green Labs set out to replace the three most energy-intensive ultra low temperature (ULT) freezers on campus with new, top performing energy-efficient ULT freezers. After looking at what was available on the market, Green Labs proposed and purchased three of a new model of energy efficient PHCBI VIP ECO SMART Series ULT freezer (model MDF-DU703VH/VHA-PA) which is ~30% more efficient per space in the freezer compared to the next most efficient ULT freezers on the market (according to Energy Star data). Furthermore, this particular ULT freezer model received an Outstanding New Product Award in 2023 by a non-profit organization focused on research sample storage, the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER).

As a result of interest by engaged scientists, instead of just three inefficient ULT freezers, two labs were willing to consolidate samples and retire two additional energy inefficient ULT freezers. Thus, in total, five inefficient ULT freezers that were collectively consuming nearly 170 kWh/day in electricity were replaced with three of these very energy efficient ULT freezers, consuming a combined total of just 15.3 kWh/day. One lab also chose to set the new ULT freezer at -70 ⁰C, which consumes 4.5 kWh/day instead of 5.4 kWh/day at -80 ⁰C, based on manufacturer data.

This one time funding opportunity allowed the Green Labs program to replace five energy inefficient ULT freezers on campus (which were all near the end-of-life) with three very energy efficient ULT freezers utilizing only ~9% of the electricity used by the original five freezers. Having examples of these new efficient freezers on campus is expected to be helpful for energy efficiency efforts as future ULT freezer purchases come up.

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Net Zero Campus Forum Exchange highlights laboratory sustainability efforts at CU Boulder

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Net Zero Campus Forum Exchange highlights laboratory sustainability efforts at CU Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/18/2024 - 00:00

On Feb. 15, representatives from college and university campuses across Colorado, along with other national leaders, visited CU Boulder for a day of focused exploration on sustainability efforts in laboratories. It was an opportunity for CU Boulder to share innovations and lessons learned from laboratory sustainability while also learning about other steps to address the issues of sustainability from other universities and the State of Colorado Energy Office. The event was a collaboration between CU Boulder’s Environmental Center, Infrastructure and Sustainability and the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL).

Kathy Ramirez-Aguilar, the Green Labs Program Manager, gave one of the opening presentations for the Net Zero Forum with a presentation on the Green Labs Program, including changes in research culture and funding structure that would lead to significant efficiency improvements in laboratories. Ramirez-Aguilar pitched the idea of creating the CU Boulder Green Labs Program to the university in 2009. It was one of the first green labs programs to be established and is considered a leader in the field. Ramirez-Aguilar emphasized the value and necessity of lab sustainability efforts by sharing some compelling statistics from CU Boulder’s Energy Master Plan.

“Even though major research buildings only occupy approximately 22% of campus square footage, those research buildings are responsible for 42% of campus building energy use,” said Ramirez-Aguilar.

Sustainability efforts in laboratories can have amplified benefits, since labs use a disproportionately large amount of resources, including electricity, water, chemicals and single-use plastic products. Improved efficiency in labs can help campuses achieve cost savings and also, reach their sustainability goals. For example, CU Boulder’s Climate Action Plan has a goal of 50% reduction of emissions from electricity and natural gas by 2030. Initiatives like the Green Labs Program are key to helping to avoid and minimize energy usage through its engagement of campus scientists in best practices, which also helps to reduce emissions.

Attendees to the Net Zero Forum saw some of CU Boulder’s sustainability efforts in action, including a ride in its electric buses and a tour of lab and mechanical spaces in the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building. The building is one of few laboratory buildings to have received a LEED Platinum certification. Shannon Horn, who is the lead mechanical engineer for campus, presented on how significant energy efficiency is achieved for the building through its design, rightsizing and its mechanical and electrical systems.

In addition, the importance of research equipment sharing (via core facilities) was a message that was shared multiple times throughout the day including an afternoon kick-off presentation by Joe Dragavon on behalf of the CU Boulder Research Innovation Office. In their presentations, both Dragavon and Ramirez-Agular raised the point that core facilities benefit efficiency in science (including lab space optimization) and enable inclusive access to research resources. Ramirez-Aguilar highlighted BioCore Shared Instrumentation as a program that, with expansion on campus, would increase accessibility through its efforts to transition underutilized or unused equipment resources in individual labs to shared resources available to all. In just the first four years of the BioCore program being implemented in three laboratory departments, about $3 million was saved as a result of access to shared resources or redistribution of resources.

All of these steps towards lab sustainability are a collaborative effort and encompass constituents from across CU’s campus. These include scientists, staff supporting research, safety professionals, building managers, facilities operations, campus engineers, planners, energy managers, sustainability professionals and more.

“It takes a village to truly advance sustainability in scientific laboratories,” said Ramirez-Aguilar.

Several other guest presenters highlighted work they are doing to contribute to sustainability. CU Anschutz shared information on a “Lab Cleanup” project their School of Medicine undertook in late 2021. The project assessed 550,000 square feet of laboratory space and resulted in the clean up of 44,000 square feet. It included repurposing unused research supplies and equipment, looking for opportunities to share resources and disposing of unwanted or broken legacy equipment, computers, biological materials and chemicals. The clean up avoided the need for CU Anschutz to build another lab building. The project demonstrated not only the sustainability benefits of such a project, but also the cost savings that can come from such an undertaking.

In addition to saving space, resources and money, efforts like the Green Lab Program have the important advantage of laying the cultural foundation of sustainability for students, researchers and scientists who may move into careers outside of academia. Industries such as biopharma, equipment development and manufacturing and policy implementation all can benefit from the ethos developed around sustainability at the academic level.

Collaborations like the Net Zero Forum Exchange are an opportunity for colleges and universities to come together and help proliferate best practices, so that their work and impact can move beyond their own institutions, towards a broader vision of sustainability across the U.S. and beyond.

“This is an exciting time. There is a lot happening in Europe where funders in multiple countries are in the process of connecting environmental sustainability expectations with receiving research funding,” said Ramirez-Aguilar. “I'm hoping we see similar signs of progress to come from funders within the United States.”

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Track your emission reductions: Participate in the AWorld Challenge for a greener tomorrow

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 06:00:00 +0000

Track your emission reductions: Participate in the AWorld Challenge for a greener tomorrow Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/18/2024 - 00:00

Small actions lead to a big impact. That’s why CU Boulder is increasing awareness around 80+ everyday actions that students and staff can take to keep track of their CO2 reductions, water saved and electricity saved. CU is hosting a two-month long AWorld Challenge built around Sustainable Buffs cutting carbon. With the AWorld app, embracing daily sustainability practices is easy.

AWorld Challenge: Sustainable Buffs Cut Carbon

Join the CU Boulder community on the journey towards a more sustainable planet. The AWorld Challenge, "Sustainable Buffs Cut Carbon," offers you the opportunity to contribute directly to the cause. From Feb. 26 to April 22, embrace the challenge of logging sustainable actions with AWorld to better know your impact and become a catalyst for positive change.

Participation is easy. Download the AWorld app and track the ways you cut back your carbon emissions. Do you get around with public transport today? If so, that’s 1.05 kgCO2 saved per trip! Did you unplug the plug to prevent vampire loads? Congrats, you saved 1.55 kgCO2! Are you incorporating more plant-based meals in your diet? If so, that’s 6.75 kg CO2 saved! See how each action you do adds up to prevent carbon dioxide emissions.

As a community, we have a goal of preventing 5,000 kgCo2 emissions, the equivalent of recycling 1.7 tons of waste! If we meet this goal, you can vote on your favorite carbon-reducing project on campus. The winning project will receive up to $10,000! As you join the challenge, you'll not only contribute to a more eco-friendly future but also earn rewards along the way.

For those who excel in their commitment, there's more in store:

The top 20 performers will get a choice of beeswax wrap or glass tupperware
The top 10 performers will take home $50 of “market bucks” for the Boulder Farmers’ Market

The AWorld Challenge embodies the collective power of individuals and organizations to drive sustainable change. By participating in the challenge you not only make an immediate impact but also set the stage for a future where energy conservation and responsible practices are the norm. Let's come together, embrace these opportunities and champion a greener, more resilient world for generations to come.

Take action! Join University of Colorado team on AWorld app today!

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The impact of recycling on climate change

Anonymous — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 17:06:45 +0000

The impact of recycling on climate change Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/15/2023 - 10:06

Celeste Robinson and Kate Huun

When considering climate change mitigation and reducing your carbon footprint, you probably think of driving less and turning out the lights. But did you know that organic and inorganic waste is also a massive contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions? A zero-waste lifestyle keeps material out of landfills and reduces your carbon footprint.

The benefits of recycling

As climate change and waste are ever-growing problems worldwide, it is essential to understand how these two significant issues affect each other. Recycling helps combat the climate crisis by limiting the use of raw materials and reducing waste going into landfills.

Project Drawdown estimates that recycling between 2020 and 2050 will reduce emissions by 5.5 to 6.02 gigatons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to taking over one billion cars off the streets for one year. Recycling is a practical yet easy change to help curb greenhouse gas emissions and limit the climate crisis.

When an item is recycled, it is processed and turned into something new rather than created out of virgin material or disposed of and treated as waste in a landfill.
Recycling to create something new generally uses less energy than creating a product from raw materials.
Recycling aluminum is incredibly energy efficient. Using aluminum scraps to make aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy used to create an aluminum can from raw materials. Producing 40 aluminum cans requires the amount of energy in one gallon of gasoline and can be significantly decreased by using recycled aluminum scraps.
The less energy used to produce a good, the fewer greenhouse gases are emitted in the process. This benefits climate change, as greenhouse gas emissions drive the current climate crisis.

How to positively impact climate change through recycling

You can make a difference in reducing climate change by making recycling an integral part of your lifestyle and routine.

Buy products made from recycled materials. This will support the market for recycled items and encourage the continued recycling of materials and the production of items made from recycled materials.
Recycle everything that you can. Learn what is recyclable.
Limit the number of disposable items you purchase in the first place to reduce the production of disposable items.
Swap out disposable items for reusable items. Switch to reusable water bottles, shopping bags, food storage containers and other reusable products.

Upcycled vs. downcycled materials

There are many pathways for recycled products. Turning an item into a new version of the same product is ideal when possible. Other options include turning the recycled material into new products.

Upcycling turns a recycled material into something of equal or greater value or quality than the original product. Sometimes, the term upcycling refers to the reuse of an item instead of throwing it away. Upcycling lengthens the life of a given material. Industrial upcycling depends on the materials. Here are some easy-to-upcycle materials.

Paper: Recycled office paper is upcycled as new office paper. Paper is also downcycled and turned into toilet paper, paper towels and notebook paper, generally because of contamination and lack of adequate sorting.
Cardboard: Recycled cardboard may become new cardboard. When downcycled, it becomes paper bags, packaging or paperboard.
Metals: Recycled aluminum cans can become new aluminum cans, and recycled steel cans will turn into steel cans. When downcycled, metal can become bike or car parts, appliances, rebar and other metal products.

Downcycling turns a product into a different product, but the cycle is not infinitely repeatable. An example of downcycling is when a plastic bottle gets turned into a fleece jacket. PET plastics, like soda bottles, are hard to recycle infinitely because when they become a new product, the plastic gets weaker each time. Virgin materials also often have to be added to the new product to account for the weakening that the recycling process causes.

Some materials are challenging to upcycle or downcycle and often end up in landfills. However, you can repurpose some items to keep them out of landfills. Here are examples of materials that are hard to recycle.

Plastic bags: Plastic bags cannot be put in a regular recycling bin, making collection more complex. Also, the material used for plastic bags is generally hard to recycle.
Electronics: Electronics contain toxins such as lead and mercury, which can make them more dangerous to recycle. Collection is often an issue as curbside recycling companies don’t accept electronics. You must take electronics to a special facility for recycling.
Styrofoam (or polystyrene): Products made from Styrofoam are typically contaminated with food and have an incredibly low density. Because of this incredibly low density, it is not cost-effective to transport polystyrene because it takes up a lot of space and offers very little recyclable material.

The climate impact of waste disposal

Different types of waste impact the environment differently. However, all items placed in a landfill negatively impact the environment.

Organic waste decomposes and creates carbon dioxide and methane gas. Methane is produced when no air is present, while carbon dioxide is the natural product when anything rots in the air.
Inorganic waste includes products made from natural resources such as water, fuel, metal and timber, which causes greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
Plastic waste produces greenhouse gas emissions during every stage of its lifecycle. Plastic extraction and transportation depend on oil, gas and coal. The production and disposal of plastics release tons of carbon emissions.

The waste management process, including transportation and incineration, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.

Start recycling

Recycling is easy in Boulder, both on campus and in the community. With plentiful recycling bins and curbside pickup, you can choose to live sustainably by recycling. You can learn more about ways to incorporate sustainable habits through the Environmental Center.

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Composting at CU – a student perspective

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:45:43 +0000

Composting at CU – a student perspective Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:45

Kayla Vasarhelyi

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, but a passion for sustainability drew me halfway across the country to CU Boulder. When I arrived here, I thought I had it all figured out. I recycled all my papers and plastics, used reusable containers and thrifted most of my clothes. However, shortly into my time on campus, I realized there was much more to being zero waste than I had ever expected. Composting was the sharpest learning curve.

Prior to moving to Boulder, I thought composting was just something that could be done on an individual scale to make soil using food scraps and yard waste.

There were a lot of things I didn’t realize about compost:

Composting creates a nutrient-rich soil to be used instead of toxic fertilizers.
Compost helps to reduce climate change.
Compostables in landfills will create methane, a much stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Landfills are often located in someone’s backyard, and that someone is often part of a low-income community that can’t escape from the smells, noise and runoff from landfill operations.
Keeping material out of landfills will reduce the need to build landfills.

In spring 2023, Colorado’s composting guidelines changed. Previously, CU Boulder offered compost bins all over campus and accepted compostable paper towels and plastics along with food scraps and yard waste. With the changes, CU Boulder continues to compost food scraps and yard waste from campus operations. These were the majority of the items composted from our campus before the change. In 2022, CU Boulder composted approximately 23 tons per month of yard waste and 40 tons per month of food scraps.

If you live off-campus in Boulder, you can talk to your landlord about providing landfill, recycling and compost bins to help you manage your household waste sustainably. It is essential to know that compostable plastic and paper are not recyclable. If you have a number seven plastic and composting is unavailable, throw it in the landfill bin. Compostable plastics are common contaminants in recycling, and too many can make recycling unusable.

We are lucky to attend a school that prioritizes composting to dispose of waste. I hope this article helps build your understanding of composting and kickstarts your journey to being a compost lover!

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Ways to reduce food waste

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 20:42:08 +0000

Ways to reduce food waste Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 12/14/2023 - 13:42

In the United States, 103 million tons of food are wasted annually, with the average person generating one pound of food waste daily. Food waste includes any edible food that is discarded instead of being consumed.

While often discussed in climate change conversations, reducing food waste also impacts other areas of life. By intentionally decreasing food waste, you can save money and consume better-quality foods. Here is information about food waste and how to reduce it.

Top wasted foods

Bread, milk and potatoes are the top foods typically thrown out each year. Keep this in mind when grocery shopping. Buy only what you need or can use before it goes bad. It can be helpful to also plan meals around the items you already have on hand rather than going to the store for more.

Expiration dates

One reason Americans waste so much food is due to misunderstanding expiration dates. The "best if used by" date refers to when a product will be at peak flavor or quality, while the "sell by" date tells the store how long they can display the product for sale. The "use by" date is the last date recommended to consume the product at peak quality. The "freeze by" date indicates when to freeze a product to maintain peak flavor or quality.

Composting

When you need to toss out food, consider composting it instead. The campus composting policy has recently changed due to changes with the composting service provider. Only food scraps and yard or plant trimmings are compostable on campus. Food scraps include bread, bones, cheese, eggshells, coffee grounds and produce. Yard and plant trimmings include leaves, twigs, flowers and grass.

Shop smarter

Before you grocery shop, take time to get organized. Make a weekly meal plan and only buy the foods you need to cover your planned meals and snacks. Create a shopping list to keep you on track at the store. This not only helps prevent food waste but can also help you save money. If you have leftover food, consider creative ways to incorporate those items into your daily meals and snacks or freeze leftovers to use later. Check out more meal planning tips.

Use foods in season

When you plan meals, consider items that are in season. There are many benefits to getting foods that are fresh and local. They taste better, have higher nutritional value and are more environmentally friendly. The Colorado Department of Agriculture has an easy-to-use guide that can help you pick local fruits and vegetables based on the season.

Find creative ways to save your food

Even with the best meal and food shopping plans, you can sometimes end up with more food than you can use. Here are a few tips to use the food you have on hand instead of letting it go bad.

Freeze fruits and vegetables to use later.
You can extend the life of herbs or save them for later by storing them whole in a freezer bag or chopping them and storing them in oil in an ice cube tray. You can also dry fresh herbs by hanging them in a dry location and then, once dry, crushing and storing them in glass jars.
When you notice fruits or vegetables going bad in a bunch, separate the good ones to keep and discard the spoiled ones. This will help the good ones stay that way longer.
Create an “eat first section” in your fridge for the items with the shortest shelf life so you can remember to use those first.
Use leftover vegetables to make vegetable stock, which you can store in glass jars in the fridge or freeze to use later. This is also a great way to use any scraps you may have from preparing other dishes. Simply keep your scraps in a freezer-safe bag and pull them out once you’ve accumulated enough for a good pot of stock.

With a little effort, you can save money by using and saving your food instead of throwing it out.

Reduce food waste to practice sustainability

By reducing food waste, we can all do our part in creating a sustainable future. Start by double-checking expiration dates before throwing food away and consider composting instead of tossing items in the trash. With small changes to our daily routines, we can make a big impact on reducing food waste. Don't forget to track your sustainable actions in the AWorld app! It makes it easy to see your positive impact on the environment. Download the app and join the CU team today!

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