Happy Summer, Panthers!
Let’s take a look back at how the Office of Sustainability wrapped up the semester and look forward to a sustainable summer ahead - how can we all best implement sustainable practices in our lifestyles and activities this summer?
Ditch the Dumpster and Donate Instead: Our Move-Out Recap!
This May, the Office of Sustainability achieved our goal of diverting as many items from the landfill as possible during student move out. As thousands of students moved out of the on-campus residence halls, Chapman Grand, and Panther Village, Move-Out Eco Reps collected donations of clothing, home décor, furniture, kitchen supplies, books, and more. We filled several storage units with items to donate to Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill. To give you some perspective on the amount of donations we received, we collected enough furniture, books, kitchen supplies, and home décor to fill a backyard swimming pool, and enough clothing and shoe donations to fill a 40-foot shipping container! We also partnered with Sodexo to collect approximately 2,000 pounds of food donations for local food pantries. Thank you to everyone who participated in our Ditch the Dumpster program and helped Chapman reduce our contribution to greenhouse gas emissions landfills.
Regalia Reuse
Calling all recent graduates! Not sure what to do with your caps, gowns, stoles, cords, and tassels now that you’ve walked the stage? Donate your regalia to the Office of Sustainability’s Regalia Reuse program to help divert these items from landfills and support future Chapman graduates. You can drop off your regalia in the collection box at the Leatherby Libraries Rotunda (summer hours here) or at the Facilities Management building at 625 W Palm Ave (Mon-Friday, 7am-4pm.)
City of Orange Launches Recycle from Home Program
The City of Orange is launching their Recycle From Home program to offer residents a convenient way to receive payment for recycling cans and bottles. The program provides pick-up services right from your doorstep, eliminating the need to transport recyclables to redemption centers. Collection bags and QR code tracking labels are provided to help residents sort their aluminum cans, plastic, and glass bottles. Residents can schedule a pick-up time online, and their items will be recycled within 24 hours. Payment is calculated based on current redemption rates and can be received through PayPal, Venmo, or a mailed check. To learn more and sign up for this service, visit www.RecycleFromHome.com or download the Recycle From Home mobile app.
Sustainable Summer Checklist
No matter what your plans are this summer, we encourage you to make environmentally-conscience choices wherever possible. Check out our Sustainable Summer Checklist for some ideas on how to make sustainable swaps when it comes to practices and products you’re purchasing.
Energy-Saving Tips for a Hot Summer Ahead
Meteorologists predict that we have a very hot summer ahead of us in Southern California. Here are some energy-saving tips to conserve energy and save your wallet!
- Use a fan in the room you’re in instead of turning on the AC for your entire home. Fans can cool localized areas with far less energy and still deliver that cool breeze you’re after.
- Is the AC in your home struggling to keep up with the heat outside? Give your home AC system a break and lighten the load on the electrical grid during peak usage hours – consider taking a trip to a public place such as a museum, coffee shop, movie theater, or gym to take advantage of areas where the AC is already running.
- Keep windows and blinds closed in your homes during the daytime to deflect heat, then open them in the evening to allow natural airflow through the house to help with cooling.
- Homeowners:
- Consider improving the insulation in your house. Doing so will help you to better maintain the desired temperature in your home and prevent cold air from AC units and fans from escaping.
- Reduce the amount of energy required to run your hot water heater by lowering the temperature setpoint.
- Consider switching out your old HVAC system for a newer, more energy efficient model. While upfront costs can be steep, you will see significant savings on your utility bills in the long run.
Article Picks
Intense wildfires in Canada have resulted in the worst air quality in years along the East Coast, affecting major cities like Washington DC and Philadelphia. The hazardous conditions have led to event cancellations and grounded flights across the United States. Approximately 100 million people in North America are experiencing very poor air quality due to the wildfires, prompting concerns about public health. President Joe Biden acknowledged the fires as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change. The ongoing situation highlights the urgent need for global emissions reduction to mitigate the risks associated with wildfires and the broader effects of climate change.
The risk of summer blackouts due to extreme heat events is spreading throughout the US and Canada, signaling a growing threat to electrical systems. Recent assessments have triggered the most extensive warning yet on the vulnerability of the continent's power networks, exacerbated by more frequent heat waves resulting from climate change. Widespread heat could limit the Western US from sufficiently transferring electricity within the region, further straining supplies. The growing concern underscores the need for policymakers to prioritize reliability and address the deteriorating risk profile of the grid to ensure a stable power supply during periods of high demand.
The Inflation Reduction Act provides significant savings opportunities for individuals interested in purchasing electric vehicles or making their homes more energy efficient. Through this recently introduced legislation, consumers can save thousands of dollars on electric cars, heat pumps, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. The law's provisions support the electrification of transportation and housing sectors, making energy-efficient choices more accessible through tax credits and rebates. Read more to see how you can take advantage of these savings and seize the opportunity to make energy-efficiency swaps to your home and vehicle.
