IM a librarian
Sustainability & Stewardship of Resources
Elmhurst College’s commitment to environmental stewardship
from the College’s Core Values
We pursue innovations which respect the environment and foster sustainability in the management of our resources.
from the College’s Strategic Issues
Strategic Issue Four: What roles should technology play in supporting teaching and learning as well as the larger enterprise? How does the College address environmental sustainability?
from the College’s Goals and Strategies
Goal 4. Evaluate needs and set priorities for maintaining and upgrading existing facilities and infrastructure, consistent with our commitment to environmental sustainability.
Paper & printing sustainability: barriers
- Double-sided printing- double-sided documents are usually not an acceptable format for final paper submission by students.
- Dark backgrounds- dark background PowerPoint slides mean higher ink usage than clear backgrounds.
- Personal printers- potential campus perception that students print off materials for class from their personal printers (instead of using the labs or the library). This is possibly inaccurate, especially as student printers are rarely capable of printing double-sided documents.
- Electronic submission- email/digital dropbox submission of assignments not a widespread campus reality as of yet…most instructors still ask for paper submissions (or might not specifically request electronic submissions).
- Computer literacy issue- students/faculty not knowing how to print double-sided, or having to reprint documents which are being “cut-off” (perhaps because they are not previewed beforehand or improperly prepared).
- Transition away from copiers for reserve readings- instructors making documents available in electronic formats, (instead of paper copies on reserve for required readings) means that students print articles from Blackboard instead of using pay copiers to copy print articles on reserve…hence, there is now no monetary “penalty” which prevents superfluous printing.
- Distributing documents in unalterable formats- files sent out in protected formats (.pdf) have the unintended consequence of preventing users from printing those documents in more compact formats (i.e. several PowerPoint slides on a single page).
Many of these points have unintended consequences if acted upon, which must be considered. For example, requiring the submission of double-sided assignments by students means that they will probably have to use the campus workstations for printing (since many personal student printers have no built-in double-sided print capability). In this case, enacting a double-sided “rule” might actually increase institutional paper and ink usage.
Links to other related sustainability pages/documents
E-Waste Recycling
Basel Action Network is the world’s only organization focused on confronting the global environmental injustice and economic inefficiency of toxic trade (toxic wastes, products and technologies) and its devastating impacts.
The e-Stewards recyclers are a group of leading North American electronics recyclers and asset managers who have been qualified as upholding the highest standard of environmental and social responsibility. You can find a recycler for your e-waste.
Earth 911 is a comprehensive communication medium for the environment. Earth 911 has taken environmental hotlines, web sites and other information sources nationwide, and consolidated them into one network. Once you contact the Earth 911 network, you will find community-specific information on eCycling and much more.
SCARCE of DuPage County – offers Book Rescue, Tools For Schools, Super Crayon Project, Gym Shoe Rescue, Cell Phone Rescue & Inkjet Cartridge Rescue. The Book Rescue and the Tools For Schools Programs divert books and other school & office supplies from landfills and providing them to schools, organizations & children in need.
West Cook County Solid Waste Agency (WCCSWA) plans for the responsible management of solid waste in west Cook County, Illinois. The goal of the Agency and its members is to help residents and businesses in west Cook County to recycle and manage their garbage in an environmentally sound and cost-effective manner.
Manufacturer and Retailer Programs – Manufacturers and retailers take different approaches to give you several options to donate or recycle your electronics. The following programs developed by EPA’s Plug-In To eCycling partners may be national or regional in scope and may:
- Offer takeback, mail-in, or trade-in programs;
- Support local organizations that collect equipment;
- Host collection events at retail locations; or
- Support local recycling events with cities and municipalities.
The less-than-green world of electronics manufacturing
- Fidele Musafiri, Miner – audio news feature honored by the Third Coast International Audio Festival
- Confessions of an Eco-Sinner: Tracking Down the Sources of My Stuff – book by Fred Pearce; he explores what happens to old cell phones, where the metals for his computer come from, and how electronics get recycled
Using Electronic Materials in the Classroom
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