Planning and executing sustainable events require thoughtful preparation, collaboration and a commitment to reducing environmental impact. Explore our Sustainable Event Guidelines to find actionable steps to create eco-friendly, low-waste events.

1. Plan Ahead - Plan your event well in advance to allow for vendor and venue research, collaboration with relevant organizations and office, and publicity of the event's sustainability goals.
2. Catering - Select food vendors with organic, locally-sourced ingredients, offer plant-based meal options, and avoid single-use plastic and individually packaged food items.
3. Reduce Waste - Plan for attendance drop-off by ordering less food than registered guests, donate uneaten food, and make sure you have Zero Waste Stations for proper sorting after the event.
4. Decor and Giveaways - For annual events, avoid dates on printed materials so it can be reused in the future. Include digital and eco-friendly swag for giveaways, and use local vendors.
5. Communicate - Use digital marketing techniques to advertise the event, provide agendas and event materials by email, and remind attendees to dispose of waste in the correct bins.

As part of 天涯海角社区鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, we are implementing a battery recycling program to responsibly manage and recycle used batteries.

Where you can find a battery recycling container at the Northwest Campus:

• Library Commons (Y Building), behind the front desk
• Student Engagement Office, S Building, Room 244

For guidance on preparing batteries for recycling, please see below.

How to Prepare Batteries for Recycling

General Guidelines

• Most batteries require no special preparation. However, some types need additional precautions to prevent short-circuiting.
• Ensure all positive terminals are taped or placed in a clear, sealed bag before placing batteries in the bin.

Battery-Specific Preparation

Rechargeable Batteries:

• Common types: AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, cellphone, laptop, tool batteries.
• Action: Tape any exposed terminals or wires.

Primary Lithium "Button" Cell Batteries (Non-rechargeable):

• Common uses: Watches, hearing aids, musical greeting cards.
• Action: Tape both the positive and negative terminals using a single piece of tape around the button cell.

Other Primary Lithium Cell Batteries (Non-rechargeable):

• Common types: AAA, AA, C, D, 9V.
• Action: Tape the positive terminal.

Sealed Lead Acid Batteries (SLA):

• Common uses: Emergency lighting, UPS power units, remote-controlled vehicles.
• Action: Tape the positive terminal.

6 Volt Batteries:

• Common uses: Larger flashlights, lanterns.
• Action: Cover terminal springs with tape or caps.

All 9 Volt Batteries:

• Common uses: Smoke detectors, alarm clocks.
• Action: Tape both terminals.

Damaged or Leaking Batteries:

• Action: Place in a separate plastic bag.
• Use gloves and protective eyewear.
• Label the container as "Damaged Batteries" and notify the recycling coordinator.

Things to Avoid

• Do not place tape over battery labels.
• Do not tape different battery chemistries together.
• Avoid stacking batteries without proper separation. To separate, use a longer piece of tape and place each button cell side by side with the positive terminal against the tape. To ensure that the batteries stay together, place another length of packing tape over the negative terminal ends.

Thank you for your role in ensuring the success and safety of 天涯海角社区鈥檚 battery recycling program. Together, we can make a positive impact on our environment!

Overview

This policy is designed to reduce paper consumption across 天涯海角社区, promoting sustainable practices that benefit the environment, reduce costs, and foster a culture of resource efficiency. Through conscious effort and community collaboration, this initiative supports the vision of a more Sustainable 天涯海角社区.

Goals

1. Promote Electronic Communication: Encourage electronic communication and storage as the primary method for sharing information, documents, and resources.
2. Optimize Printing Practices: Implement duplex (double-sided) printing as the default setting on all campus printers.
3. Foster Awareness: Use educational messages to emphasize the environmental and economic benefits of reducing paper consumption.
4. Encourage Recycled Content: Ensure that any paper used is FSC Certified and contains at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
5. Recycle Used Paper: Require all paper waste to be placed in designated recycling bins.

General Practices for All Staff and Faculty:

• Utilize an electronic signature system to eliminate paper forms.
• Share memos, documents, and meeting notes electronically whenever possible.
• Avoid printing unnecessary copies of tests, procedure documents, or other materials; opt for digital distribution instead.
• Recycle all used paper in designated recycling bins.
• Recycle ink cartridges at home and at campus recycling stations.
• Choose paperless for services statements, magazine, and journal subscriptions.

Faculty-Specific Recommendations:

• Encourage E-Textbooks: Support the adoption of electronic textbooks to reduce the use of printed textbooks.
• Limit Handouts: Share presentation notes and class materials digitally instead of printing handouts.
• Reusable Materials: Utilize laminated worksheets for resources reused across semesters or classes.
• Engage Department Heads: Department heads should monitor paper usage and encourage faculty to adopt paper-reduction strategies.

Student-Focused Initiatives:

• Event Promotion: Use electronic fliers to advertise campus events and programs.
• Textbook Programs: Encourage participation in textbook resell, exchange, and donation programs where e-textbooks are unavailable.
• Education and Engagement: Promote awareness among students about the benefits of reducing paper use, including less weight to carry and a reduced environmental footprint.

Why Reducing Paper Waste Matters

• Deforestation: Irresponsible tree harvesting destroys ecosystems and species, increases soil erosion, and impacts local communities.
• Climate Crisis: Trees sequester carbon, and overharvesting diminishes this natural process, contributing to climate change.
• High Resource Use: Pulp and paper manufacturing is energy-intensive, consuming significant amounts of water and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Global Impact: The pulp and paper industry accounts for 33-40% of all industrial wood traded globally. The U.S. is the second-largest paper producer and consumer in the world.

Practical Tips to Reduce Paper Use

1. Ask Before Printing:
2. Is this necessary? Can it be emailed instead?
3. Can a single page suffice with a QR code linking to multiple files?
4. Can the document be stored or shared on OneDrive, Google Drive, OneNote or another cloud service?
5. Default Duplex Printing: Ensure all campus printers are set to print double-sided.
6. Promote Digital Materials: Encourage staff, faculty, and students to utilize digital platforms for collaboration and communication.
7. Smart Event Materials: Replace paper fliers with digital invitations and announcements.
8. Innovative Solutions: Share reusable and durable resources to minimize recurring paper use.

Educational Messages

• "Did you know that paper consumption has such a big environmental impact it鈥檚 a distinct category in greenhouse gas emissions reporting? Cutting paper waste reduces our carbon footprint and departmental budgets."
• "Tempted to use handouts for a meeting or class? Share material digitally instead, so recipients can decide if they need a print copy. Bonus: It鈥檚 harder to lose a digital file!"
• "If you must print, select 'Double Sided' as the default setting on the printer."

Policy Benefits

• Supports global and local sustainability efforts.
• Reduces departmental budgets by minimizing paper and printing costs.
• Enhances awareness and collaboration within the 天涯海角社区 community.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference by adopting sustainable practices and reducing our reliance on paper. Let鈥檚 work together toward a more Sustainable Santa Fe!

Did you know there are now FIVE R's?

Rethink - You can minimize waste by thinking about what you are buying or doing. For example, buy in bulk, it requires less packaging.

Reduce - Change your habits. Do you really need to print that website or could you just send it to yourself via email? If you need to print, double-side it.

Reuse - Did you accidentally print a blank sheet at the end of your paper? Use that extra sheet for notes in your next class or meeting.

Recycle - When you can't use an item any longer, recycle it in the proper manner, or pass it on to someone else who can use it. Be sure to know what is recyclable and only place those items in the recycling container. Also, remember to buy recycled to continue the cycle.

Refuse - Refuse to take plastic bags from the grocery store or styrofoam cups or containers. Let local businesses know you don't want these items.

Tips to reduce your waste

• Buy products with the least amount of packaging possible.
• Take along canvas bags when shopping.
• Avoid disposable items, such as plates, cups, napkins, etc.
• Choose items made of recycled content.
• Buy "economy" or bulk items, but only in sizes you will use.
• When choosing between beverages in plastic or aluminum, go for the aluminum. It takes just six weeks for that aluminum can you throw in your recycle bin to end up back in use in a new container on your grocery store shelf!
• Maintain and repair items when possible.
• Reduce fast food packaging. Refuse styrofoam boxes and plastic bags. Keep a knife and fork set tucked in your purse or car.
• Make your voice known to businesses.

Recycling On Campus

If your recycling bin is full, please contact Facilities Services at 352-395-5521.

Paper - Blue receptacles are located in each building. Faculty and staff need to empty small blue bins from office in larger big blue bins located in common areas.

• Newspaper, Magazines, Office Paper, Junk Mail, Brown Paper Bags
• Shredding (must be in plastic bags)
• Cardboard boxes (must be broken down and placed next to bins)

Cans and Bottles - Receptacles are located around campus.

• Aluminum Cans
• Glass bottles and jars
• Plastic bottles
• Yogurt containers
  (remove all lids and clean out containers)
  
• NO PLASTIC BAGS or SOLO/DRINK CUPS

Electronic Waste (e-Waste) - Old discs, CDs, keyboards, etc. can be picked up by facilities and moved to Surplus for recycling. Place a work order with facilities (352-395-5521) to move the items.

Light bulbs - All light bulbs (CFL's, projector, fluorescent tube) can be sent to Central Stores in Building U for proper disposal. Contact Facilities at 352-395-5521 for more information.

New or Lightly-used Office/School Supplies - Items can be donated to 天涯海角社区's Share Wear (352-395-5217) our on campus thrift store or  (352-374-5213), which serves students and teachers in Alachua County by providing a free store for classroom supplies and creative learning materials.

Printer Cartridges - All college purchased printer cartridges are to be recycled through the manufacturers and retailers via the return label inside the box of the newly purchased cartridges. If there is no label provided in the box, then all cartridges are to be sent to Purchasing for recycling through the various recycling programs where the college receives the benefit/credit.

Other Items - Please contact Purchasing at 352-395-5217 for proper disposal procedures.

Recycling At Home

Alachua County recycles 60% of its waste. That's one of the highest recycling rates in the entire State of Florida!

Visit the  page for information on what goes in your blue and orange bins along with proper disposal of other items. 

The City of Gainesville also has a which allows you to search unwanted items and learn where to donate, or the proper way to dispose of them.

On this site you will find resources to programs dedicated to, or having an important role in promoting sustainability within Alachua County. Every resource on this site might not meet the three-way sustainability test of having long term social, economic and environmental benefits. However, they are still included for the community's consideration and discussion. It is hoped that these ideas may be modified over time to better meet the three-way test and as part of an Alachua County government's direction towards sustainability. We encourage you to read Alachua County's Declaration for a resource-efficient and resilient community. It represents a summation message of sustainability that is being shared and discussed at an international level based on this community's collective work.

The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office is a partnership between the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners, University of Florida/IFAs, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Find out about classes, gardening advice, and more.

Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. supports and promotes sustainable organic agriculture and provides solutions to the issues facing farmers, families, and everyone in between. Become a member today to stay current on the latest news and best practices from Florida Organic Growers.

Cinema Verde's mission is to provide environmental education to the public through film, arts, workshops, events, tours and any other forum or media; to increase public awareness of environmental practices that enhance public health and improve quality of life in urban, suburban and rural settings. We bring community organizations, businesses and citizens together to help forge sustainable solutions for our future.

Information on rebates and how to save energy (and money) at home.

As an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Keep Alachua County Beautiful believes that each of us holds an obligation to preserve and protect our environment. Through our everyday choices and actions, we collectively have a huge impact on our world. It's really a simple concept, but one with far reaching effects. As a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization, Keep America Beautiful follows a practical approach that unites citizens, businesses and the government to find solutions that advance our core issues of preventing litter, reducing waste, and beautifying communities. Our mission is to beautify, conserve resources, recycle, educate and preserve our community's environmental legacy.

The Gainesville Regional Transit System website provides information on bus maps and schedules, fares and passes, bus finder, rider information, other services and connections.

Swallowtail Farm is committed to creating and fostering a Biodynamic farm that reconciles economic viability and ecologic sustainability; that nurtures its soil, plants, animals, and workers; that facilitates the reconnection of people and the sources of their food; that provides the freshest, most vibrant food possible to our community; and that cultivates a cooperative network of local farms. Our farm endeavors to accomplish all of this with the principles of sustainability and locality at its heart.

Orange and Blue Goes Green community sustainability newsletter, and lots of other resources.

We Are Neutral is an environmental nonprofit that helps businesses and individuals understand, reduce, and offset their carbon footprints. We accomplish this through environmental education and hands-on carbon reduction/offset initiatives. Establishing businesses and individuals as carbon neutral leaders allows us to weave sustainability into existing frameworks while directly improving the communities around us.

The Community Weatherization Coalition (CWC) is a local, grassroots nonprofit that trains volunteer Energy Coaches to keep more money in the wallets of low-income residents throughout Alachua County while conserving water and energy.

What people do in their own yards and neighborhoods affect local and nearby wildlife populations. Take steps to create and save wildlife habitat in urban areas, minimizing our adverse impact on local wildlife.

This site contains various links to ways to save and go green at home, including financial tools, reducing water usage, sustainable landscaping and gardening, tips for kids and teens, and more.

天涯海角社区 is a member of this organization of colleges and universities working to advance sustainability in higher education. We work in partnership with businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies that support our mission.

This site consists of five resources for those working to foster sustainable behaviors, such as those involved in conservation, energy efficiency, transportation, waste reduction, and water efficiency. The site includes the complete contents of the book, Fostering Sustainable Behavior, as well as searchable databases of articles, case studies, and turnkey strategies.

Environmental news and commentary.

A non-profit initiative of The Monday Campaigns, in association with the Johns Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health. Their goal is to help reduce meat consumption 15% in order to improve personal health and the health of our planet.

Monterey Bay Aquarium's searchable database on making sustainable seafood choices. What to buy (or NOT and why). Choose a fish and get recommendations ranging from Avoid to Best Choice.

One of the nation's most effective environmental action groups.

America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.