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These tips are intended for use anywhere, in college, in the office and at home. Remember the three key words when it come to promoting and maintaining a cleaner and greener environment: Reduce - Recycle - Reuse.
Reduce Electricity
- Turn off unnecessary lights when daylight is sufficient or when room is not in use, on a safety note please don't leave your colleagues in the dark!
- Turn off computer monitors, printers and other peripherals when not in use. Turning off lights and equipment when leaving a room even for ten minutes can make a significant energy saving
- When experiments are finished turn off power to all ancillary equipment checking first whether equipment can be safely switched off when not in use
- Check energy rating when purchasing electrical equipment, fridges, dishwashers etc. - A is best
- Leave fridge door open for shortest period possible
- Operate dishwashers/washing machines only when full
- Fill kettles only to level required when boiling
- Use the stairs rather than lifts - good for the environment, good for your health!
- Disconnect unused equipment from mains supply
Reduce Water
- Don't wash vegetables, cups, dishes etc. under running taps
- Avoid leaving taps running unnecessarily
- Always report/repair leaking taps
Reduce Heating
- Use heaters/air conditioners/fans etc. only when necessary
- Don't cover radiators when in use
- Use thermostats on radiators or radiator valves to regulate your office/home heating
Reduce Transport
- Walk, cycle, skate, run to work rather than drive - do your heart and the environment a power of good
- Use public transport or share the car - Car Pooling Information
Reduce Shopping
- BYOB - bring your own bag, cut down on plastic and paper bags
- Buy goods with less packaging, buy in larger quantities if it cuts down on packaging
- Buy locally produced goods - less transport needed to bring them to you
- Buy recycled, biodegradeable, environmentally friendly goods
- Bring your own cup to the coffee dock rather than using a disposable version, tastes better too!
Reduce Litter
- Keep your local environment clean, don't litter and try to dispose of refuse in the appropriate recycling bins where available
Reuse
- Use your imagination to reuse what you would normally throw away
- Rewrite addresses on envelopes for mail where possible rather than throw them out after one use
- Use both sides of paper and keep old scrap paper for use instead on reminder notes
- When disposing of computer and electrical equipment contact your supplier to see if they will take it away for reuse/recycling
Recycle
- Join in the paper recycling program by contacting Noel McCann on ext 2047 or by e-mail noel.mccann@tcd.ie
- Office manuals, calendars, diaries etc. can be recycled in the waste paper scheme once the covers and any glossy paper within is removed
- There are cardboard recyling bins available (check the college recycling facilities webpage for locations), if you have a large amount of cardboard a collection service is available by telephoning David Hackett at extension 1630 or by email: hackettd@tcd.ie or you can leave it next to any wheelie bin in college where it will be picked up by the daily collection.
- Recycle aluminium cans and glass bottles and jars at the following recycling points in college: Recycling points in college (577 KB)
- Find out where your local corporation recycling centre is and avail of the facilities provided - Dublin Corporation Bring Centres
