Buy a plant
Not only are plants pleasant to look at, they absorb airborne pollutants and computer radiation while replenishing oxygen levels in a room. They also help protect you from germs and have an effect on reducing stress levels.
Source: True Green at Work by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin with Tim Wallace (available in the Brookhaven College Library)
Recycle to eradicate poverty
Brookhaven College's Student Government Association participates in the Chiapas Project, which collects cell phones and ink cartridges to help alleviate poverty in Latin America. The project receives donations for each phone and cartridge that is collected. Cell phones contain toxic materials such as arsenic, antimony, beryllium, cadmium and lead. Look for the Chiapas Project drop boxes on campus.
Source: The Chiapas Project
Recharge your batteries
U.S. residents use about 3 billion dry-cell batteries every year and about 80 percent of them are single-use alkaline batteries. Using rechargeable batteries significantly reduces waste and saves you money. Visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (http://www.rbrc.org/call2recycle/) to find out how to recycle rechargeable batteries.
Source: True Green at Work by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin with Tim Wallace (available in the Brookhaven College Library)
Think before you print
Do you really need to print that e-mail? The typical U.S. office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper each year. Consider making double-sided copies and print-outs and buying refillable printer cartridges. Be sure to recycle paper whenever possible.
Source: True Green: 100 Everyday Ways You Can Contribute to a Healthier Planet, by Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin
Give the computer a rest
Be sure to shut down your computer each day when you leave the office. If you are away from your computer for shorter periods, put it in sleep mode.
Go to the library
You've probably visited the Brookhaven College library for class research, but did you know the library also has a good selection of popular fiction as well as all of the reference materials? DVDs also are available, so before you buy books and movies, check to see if the library has what you're looking for!
Discover distance learning at Brookhaven College
Save gas by taking some of your
courses at home via the Internet or television.
Carpool to college
As you plan your fall schedule, consider aligning your schedule with your friends on campus and organizing a carpool. Check out the Learning Communities courses - students in these courses meet together for more than one class.
Plan an efficient class schedule
As you plan your class schedule for next semester, think about how you can reduce your number of trips to campus. Many courses meet only one day per week. See if you can take classes back-to-back so you don't have to make multiple trips to campus. Between courses, you could study in the library, visit with friends in one of the courtyards, or check out the new TreeTop Café. It's complete with computers, wireless Internet access and a Subway.
Change your driving habits to save gas
Reach optimal fuel economy by driving the speed limit and maintaining your vehicle properly. Brookhaven College automotive professor Shane Baxter offers
gas savings tips.
Check out what DART has to offer!
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit system serves Brookhaven College with two routes that stop at the south entrance of the Student Services Center: routes 486 and 488. Farmers Branch residents can schedule DART On-Call curb-to-curb service within the city.
Plant some trees
A single tree can absorb 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide over a lifetime. An acre of tree cover in Brooklyn can compensate for auto fuel use equal to driving a car 7,200-8,700 miles.
Source: Whole Foods Market
Reduce your garbage
You can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide per year if you cut down your garbage 10 percent - avoid purchasing over-packaged products.
Source: Whole Foods Market
Decrease your driving
If you stop driving just 20 miles a week you can save about 900 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.
Source: Whole Foods Market
Use a refillable water bottle
Eighty percent of the 25 billion single-serving plastic bottles Americans use end up in landfills. Reduce your use of plastic bottles, recycle your bottles, or better yet, use a refillable non-plastic bottle made of safe material.
Source: Whole Foods Market
Bring your own bag
More than one billion plastic bags are handed to consumers each day and it takes a 15-year-old tree to make 700 paper grocery bags. Both should no longer be considered options. Reuse grocery bags made of recycled products.
Source: Whole Foods Market
You may be changing your oil too often!
Check your car's owner's manual to see how often you should have your oil changed. Most auto manufacturers now recommend oil changes every 5,000 to 10,000 mile intervals under normal driving conditions. You'll save money and decrease oil consumption.
Source: Yahoo Autos
