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Do Your Part!

Red and Black Going GREEN
GUIDE to Living Sustainably at SDSU

The Associated Students Green Love Sustainability Advisory Board is proud to assist SDSU in becoming a model university for environmental awareness and sustainable leadership. The board was created to pave the way for a full scale sustainable movement by and for San Diego State University and the surrounding communities. This g≠uide will provide you with tips to help preserve the natural beauty and integrity of the planet.

There is no such thing as an insignificant choice. How we get from place to place, clean our homes, dispose of our waste, eat, dress, and use water & energy, all have an important impact. Here are answers to a few questions that will guide you in making eco-conscious decisions in San Diego.

RECYCLE. It’s EASY to be green.

In San Diego, we have a co-mingled single stream recycling system, which takes away all the fuss work of separating! Imagine how much paper you use on a daily basis: class notes, scrap copies, term papers, Daily Aztec newspapers...it all adds up. Do your part! There are recycling bins dispersed around the campus, or more conveniently, visit the SDSU Recycling Center, located right across from the Cuicacalli residence hall. You can take nearly all your recyclables here, including: Plastic, cans, glass, mixed paper, cardboard, and e-waste (cell phones, batteries, printers, printer cartridges). E-waste is particularly harmful to the environment, and has a toxic waste stream that includes lead, mercury, and cadmium. Make the choice to dispose of these items properly so the toxins don’t creep into our soil and water.

Recycle these items all together.
Before recycling, please empty all containers.

• Glass bottles & jars
• Soda and beer cans
• Plastic bottles and jugs
• Newspapers and magazines
• Printer paper
• Envelopes & junk mail
• Cardboard pizza boxes
• Dry cereal boxes
  

Eating with the planet in mind

• Be conscious of portion sizes that best suit you to avoid food waste.
• Bring your own tumbler or cup to Starbucks and get a discount.
• Try eating vegetarian options. Meat can be energy, resource and pollution intensive.
• Organic and natural products reduce our planet’s exposure to toxic chemicals.

Where Should I Shop for Groceries?

Companies like Trader Joe’s, Henry’s, Whole Foods, and Windmill Farms (located right by SDSU!) all offer organic products and high quality foods. You can also support your local economy and feel confident about the transportation of your foods by purchasing your organic produce at Farmer’s Markets. There are several happening all over San Diego:

• Pacific Beach Farmer’s Market
  Saturdays 8 am - Noon
  4150 Mission Blvd, between Reed & Pacific Beach Blvd, 92109
  
• La Mesa Village Farmer’s Market
  Fridays 3pm – 6pm
  8300 block of Allison Ave East of Spring Street, 91941
  
• Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market
  Wednesdays 4pm – 8pm
  4900 block of Newport between Cable & Bacon, 92107
  
• San Diego Hillcrest Farmer’s Market
  Sundays 9am – 1pm
  3960 Normal Street at Lincoln, adjacent to the DMV, 92103
  
• Gaslamp Farmer’s Market and Asian Bazaar
  Sundays 9am – 1pm
  400 block of Third Ave between Island Ave & J St., 92101
  
• Chula Vista Farmer’s Market
  Tuesdays 4pm – 8pm
  Downtown Chula Vista, Center Street and Third Ave, 91915

Keep this list in mind during your next trip to the grocery store:

Highest in Pesticides: (Buy these organic!)

Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Cherries
Imported Grapes
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries

Lowest in Pesticides: (Still buy these organic if you can!)

Asparagus
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (sweet)
Kiwi
Mangos
Onions
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)

VOTE with YOUR DOLLAR: Act Global. Buy Local.

 

BUYING
What Types of Products Should I Purchase?

To reduce our environmental impact, it is important not only to recycle, but to also reuse products as much as possible and reduce the amount of stuff that we purchase in the first place. When you do make a purchase, always look for the most eco-friendly choice. As a consumer, every purchase you make is like casting a vote for the products you wish to see. You hold the power to determine what is produced.

There are numerous steps involved before a product is ready for you to buy. The withdrawal/removal, manufacturing, packaging, delivery and disposal can leave a trail of environmental degradation that stretches across continents. Here are a few suggestions to help you decrease your footprint:

• Buy products made in the USA - There is a significant decrease in emissions wasted in transportation.
• Use bio-degradable and natural cleaning supplies. All natural dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and detergent work just as well as their toxic counterparts but without harm to you or the planet. (baking soda is a cheap and easy natural cleaner that works great.)
• When possible, buy in bulk and choose products that have less packaging.
• Buy Organic - Organic foods are grown according to strict uniform standards to help restore and maintain ecological harmony, and are minimally processed without the use of pesticides, fertilizers, artificial ingredients, or preservatives.
• Buy recycled products - Everything from office paper, to paper towels, to clothing can be reused.
• Buy used whenever possible - Books, clothes, furniture and sporting goods all require energy to be produced. Rock vintage: save the planet and your wallet while consuming fewer resources, in style.
• Choose durable products and avoid disposables. For example, rechargeable batteries, refillable pens and razors.
• Pet Products - Buy high-quality natural pet food made from pure protein sources, raised without growth hormones or antibiotics, that do not contain any animal by-products, rendered meat, or chicken meals.
• Shampoo and Skin Care Products - The demand for organic and natural shampoos and skin care products has encouraged the development of many different varieties and brands.
• Personal Care Items - Using organic and natural cotton balls, feminine hygiene products, diapers, and toothpaste can make a huge difference in our impact on the planet.
• Buy Fair Trade products - This ensures that people are paid fair wages for their labor.

VOTE with YOUR DOLLAR: Support products that promote social and environmental well-being.

 

ACTIONS
What Daily Actions Can I Take to Make the Most Impact?

• Walk. Bike. Run. If you can get by without a car, you will save a good deal of money on gas, repairs and car insurance.
• Take public transportation whenever possible. Get a discounted MTS pass at the ticket booth in Aztec Center.
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use 75% less energy and can last 10 times longer than a typical light bulb.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Say NO to plastic bags. Yes, you get offered a plastic bag every time you are in a grocery store, but resist the temptation. Come prepared with a reusable bag. Always choose paper over plastic.
• Turn the water off when brushing your teeth and between washing dishes. Only run the dishwasher when it is completely full.
• Take a reusable water bottle to school. 60 million bottles a day are tossed into U.S. landfills each year, where they can take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Refill. Not landfill.
• Properly dispose of all e-waste.
• Many appliances (phone chargers, TVs, stereos) use power even when they are off. To reduce unnecessary use, plug them into a power strip and turn the strip off when not in use.
• Limit use of disposable paper cups and plates. Buy some inexpensive plates and wash them.
• Keep your showers as short as possible.
• Turn off the water when shaving.
• Don’t use the toilet as a trash can.
• You can choose to support the planet’s health and your health by purchasing organic and natural products.

Updates

You can now download Green Love Wallpaper for you computer desk-top.