University of Washington Sustainability Pledge

Submitted by druliner on Sat, 09/26/2009 - 09:26

Take the pledge!

The University of Washington has established a commitment to environmental stewardship, setting the bar well above merely complying with laws and standards. The University is committed to being a positive force for enhancement of the environment, not just in research and education but in how it manages facilities and resources.

We invite you to take a pledge towards this goal while on campus by saving energy, promoting sustainable food, conserving water, protecting green space, increasing recycling, and reducing reliance on polluting modes of transportation.

A special thanks to our colleagues at Emory University for inspiring us with their pledge.

First and Last name:

Email Address:

UW Affiliation:

Select the topic areas below and check the items you'd like to commit to. When you're done, click the "submit" button and you'll be emailed a copy of your pledge.

Promoting Sustainable Food

Food waste:

I will reduce my food waste.

composting:

I will utilize composting services by composting any organic or compostable material.

local products:

I will buy local produce and products.

Protecting Resources

water off:

I will turn off the water when washing my hands, etc.

take green tour:

not litter:

I will not litter

Commuting

commute program:

I will participate in my own sustainable commute program that avoids single-occupancy car use.

weekly:

I will ride my bike or walk to my campus or work location at least once a week.

at UW:

I will walk, bike, take a shuttle, utilize UCAR, or use the Zipcar to get around between UW and its surrounding areas.

unnecerssary driving:

I will avoid unnecessary driving during the day by dining in, walking to a restaurant, grouping errands, or packing a lunch.

meetings:

I will make meetings more sustainable by reducing travel and paper use and where possible, utilize a conference call line, or Skype, or schedule meetings back-to-back.

air travel:

I will be sure to reduce my air travel whenever possible.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

reduce use:

I will reduce my paper use and avoid printing emails.

double-sided:

I will print on both sides of the paper or use the back side of old documents to print less important documents. I will set my printer(s) to duplex printing.

recycle all paper:

I will recycle all of my paper, including sticky notes, envelopes, colored paper, and newspapers.

all recyclables:

I will recycle all of my plastic bottles and jars, dairy tubs, glass bottles and jars, milk and juice cartons, and aluminum cans in the campus cans/bottles recycle bins.

surplus:

I will send to UW Surplus all items purchased with University funds that are no longer needed by my department, whether they are in working or non-working condition.

cups bottles:

I will carry a reuseable coffee mug or water bottle instead of using disposable or compostable cups or buying bottled water.

junk mail:

I will remove myself from junk mail and catalog lists.

compost:

I will use real dishware when possible. When not possible, I will purchase food in compostable to-go containers from campus eateries and compost all of my waste.

Others

carbon footprint:

I will calculate my carbon footprint on UW’s Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability office website so that I am aware of my current impact.

college of environment:

I will visit UW’s College on the Environment web site.

submit green ideas:

take active role:

I will take an active role in The University of Washington’s sustainability goals by getting involved in a sustainability-focused group on campus.

encourage friends:

I will encourage at least five friends / colleagues to take this pledge.

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