Spring -06 Edition

Welcome to Conserve It!, the eco-conscious newsletter giving you up-to-date information on environmentally-friendly practices and standards. Read how you can Save It! and Can It! – not just for the Health System, but for Mother Earth's well-being!

In this issue:

• It’s not easy being green. But it’s worth it!
• Think green this spring
• Power in numbers
• Is it hot in here, or is it me?
• Take the green challenge
• Sign up to receive Conserve It! quarterly

It’s not easy being green. But it’s worth it!

An Interview with UMHS Environmental Stewards Dr. James Woolliscroft and Tony Denton

Denton: I’m proud to say that Hospitals for a Healthy Environment just gave us our fourth award for outstanding achievement in reducing waste, virtually eliminating mercury and improving environmental performance. We’ve actually received many awards that recognize our commitment to recycling, re-use and renewal. So, in short, we’re very green, but we can be greener.

There’s another side to the “green issue,” which is that being “green” – environmentally conscientious – saves us money (additional “green”) in the long run. With our history of collaboration and teamwork across UMHS, when we do this – as a team – the results will be tremendous across the board.

Woolliscroft: That’s why we want to invite all UMHS faculty and staff to join us as environmental stewards through this Web site. Much of environmental stewardship is about is changing habits. The “Can It,” “Save it,” “Cool it” flyers, for example, are reminders. And for some of us, e-Cyling and Green Computing are new “green” ideas that can actually save us lots of green.

Denton: We’re committed to being an environmental leader for our community. We know that there are many faculty and staff out there who are personally interested in environmental issues, especially as they relate to health care and the larger community. We’re hoping these people will help us as we take another step forward in making sure that we’re as environmentally conscientious as possible.

Woolliscroft: Environmental stewardship is properly managing our environment – people, plants and animals – for present and future generations. As a health system, we look at things such as energy conservation, making environmentally responsible purchases, and managing wastewater and hazardous waste. For us, it’s not only the correct thing to do, it’s the right thing to do.

Denton: The questions have always been:  How do we put the environment first – and still make sure we put our patients and families first, too? And how do we continue to Take Care of Our Own? With Environmental Stewardship, we give all these areas equal time. Now, we invite all UMHS faculty and staff to join in!

Become a UMHS Environmental Steward
Make your voice heard.  E-mail BeASteward@umich.edu to participate. Include your name and campus address and we will send you a toolkit of materials to help you get the word out.

Think Green This Spring!

On April 22, 1970, thousands marched in Washington, D.C., to make the world aware of what we are doing to our earth, land, water and air. Recycling emerged as one of the answers. But environmentalists could not have foreseen what would happen when technology and the environment converged. Computers, PDA’s, video game equipment and the other results of our technology explosion are taking their toll.

Today’s answers: E-cyling and green computing!

E-cycle!
Don’t throw it in the trash! Recycle! Here’s a new development: the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality tells us that anything that contains a circuit board is “Universal Waste” and must be recycled or disposed of as hazardous waste:

• Calculators
• Cell phones
• Clock radios
• Computers that Property Disposition doesn’t want
• Copiers
• Fax machines
• Head sets
• Monitors
• Scanners
• Stereos
• Telephones
• Televisions
• Typewriters
• VCRs
• Video game equipment

UMHS in a box
Work anywhere in the Health System? Box up your electronics and send them through campus mail to Dave Tyler, foreman in Waste Management and Recycling, University Hospital Dock 5. He will send our discards to a local recycler that handles hazardous waste disposal. “I’m ready and waiting,” says Tyler. “Make my day.”

On the homefront
That box of old videogame equipment Junior has outgrown? The PowerMac in the basement? Now’s your chance to do some spring cleaning the E-cyling way! Find an electronics collection site near you to dispose of unwanted items.

• Michigan Community Electronic Waste Collections

How green is our valley?
The use of computers accounts for more than 10 percent of all electricity we use at the University! When they go into idle mode, they do use less electricity, but the byproduct of their use – mounds and mounds of paper – creates another environmental hazard. Here are some tips to go green with computing:

• Turn off your monitor when leaving for the night or weekend – or going to a meeting.
• If you have a personal office printer, don’t turn it on until you’re ready to use it.
• Do you print a copy of every single e-mail you receive? Instead, read e-mails on line and leave them there. Print drafts double-sided. And if you feel like you’re drowning in paper, here’s a solution:  Resist the urge to print it out! If you have a paper-saving tip, e-mail us at BeASteward@umich.edu. We’ll post tips on the Environmental Stewardship Web site!

Power in numbers

The operating rooms at University Hospital use a portable, disposable suction/irrigator that operates on eight AA batteries and has an auxiliary power pack with eight more AAs. Due to this equipment, the OR has been dumping 220,000 AA batteries in the trash each year. This summer, a new style suction/irrigator will employ a reusable, rechargeable battery system that eliminates the need to dispose of 220,000 AA batteries every year. 

If you or your department use more than 100 AAA, AA, C, D or 9v batteries a year, think of switching to a battery recharging system. Rechargeable batteries are usually good for 20 or more recharges – and they take no more time to replace than a standard alkaline battery.
  
During the last two years, the Health System has been working hard to recycle:

How can you help increase the recycling program’s success?

Reduce the number of items going in the trash can — the following materials are all recyclable materials:

• All colors of copier and office paper
• Computer paper, glossy paper and carbon paper
• Manila folders
• Flyers
• Magazines, newspapers
• Stapled pamphlets
• Brown, and white window envelopes

Also, use reusable beverage containers instead of disposable cups and bring silverware that can be reused each day. 

If you find it inconvenient to recycle, tell us and we will work to fix the problem.  Direct your questions and comments to John Wolski, utilities manager at johnew@med.umich.edu or call maintenance at 936-5054.

Is it hot in here, or is it me?

It’s that time of year again –when the thermostat wars begin. Building standards for comfortable room temperature are 69-73 degrees, but electric lights and appliances can really heat up a room. To help conserve energy:

• Set the thermostat to 75.
• Dress in light layers of clothing that you can add or remove to keep your own thermostat comfortable.
• Use a small “clamp-on” fan at your workstation.
• If you have a window or have enough light in your work area, turn off your ceiling lights, and use fluorescent task lighting instead.
• Don’t use a personal refrigerator. They give off heat, consume a lot of electricity and, because they are seldom full, are inefficient to use.
• If you have a coffee maker that has a hot plate, replace it with the kind that brews directly into an insulated carafe.

If you find your work space is uncomfortable (either too hot or too cold), then call our maintenance hotline at 936-5054.

Take a Green Challenge

How big is your ecological footprint?
How much of an environmentalist are you? Get the real dirt! Visit www.myfootprint.org/, take the test and see. Then, let us know how you fared. Were you shocked beyond belief? Pleased as punch? E-mail BeASteward@umich.edu with your results.

Curb Your Car Month comes to Ann Arbor
During the month of May, the getDowntown program challenges you to leave your car at home. Be creative and have fun with your daily commute. Rollerblade or bike to work--with the outrageous gas prices there has never been a better time! Visit www.getdowntown.org/ for more information on getDowntown or UMHS employees can view transportation options on the Parking & Transportation Services Web site.

Sign up to receive Conserve It! quarterly

If you like what you've read and want to receive Conserve It! by e-mail each quarter, sign up using the online subscription form. While you are there, please take a minute to tell us what you think about environmental stewardship or how we can help you learn more.

For more information, visit the Environmental Stewardship Web site: www.med.umich.edu/envsteward.