UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SUSTAINABILITY GUIDE 2015–2016

“As a public institution, U-M must be part of

our society’s response to sustainability challenges

on local and global scales. This requires

meaningful commitments at both institutional and

individual levels.” University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel

2GREEN

MARKET

area retailers,restaurants, & recreation

12CLIMATE ACTION

energy savers& sustainable transportation

16WASTE

PREVENTION

reduce, reuse,recycle

20HEALTHY

ENVIRONMENTS

sustainable food & water

quality

24COMMUNITY AWARENESS

U-M opportunities & initiatives

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U 1

P lanet Blue starts with you. It is the collective

effort of students, faculty, and staff at the

University of Michigan representing a unified

commitment to living sustainably. We are committed to solving sustainability challenges on local-to-global scales by creating, teaching, and practicing

innovative approaches that improve the health of the

planet and enhance the quality of life for present and

future generations. We have recently been awarded a

gold STARS certification from the Association for the

Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education for

our efforts, but there is still much more to do!

Together, we are working to fulfill campus

sustainability goals in the areas of climate action,

waste prevention, healthy environments, and

community awareness.

That’s where you—and this sixth annual U-M

Sustainability Guide—come into play. This booklet is designed to help guide you on a path to living on Planet Blue. We cannot reach our goals without

living them every day and encouraging our friends and

family to do the same. We hope you use this guide as

a reference for information, insights, and inspiration.

green market

Whether you’re in the market for a new bike or a pair of jeans, planning a

dinner out, or looking for something to do over the weekend, be sure to check this Green Market Guide to find environmentally responsible shops, restaurants, and organizations. Where you spend your time and money matters.

Be sure to ask about discounts available by showing your U-M ID card!

Businesses and organizations listed are not sponsored or endorsed in any way by the University of Michigan. Listed for informational purposes only.

3L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

BIKE SHOPSLooking for a new (or new-to-you) set of wheels? Here are some locally

owned shops that can help you get in gear. Want to rent a bike instead?

Check out the bikeshare and bike rental programs on page 14.

Campus Student Bike Shop336 Maynard St.

(734) 327-6949 www.campusstudentbikeshop.com

Great Lakes Cycling & Fitness2270 W. Stadium Blvd.

(734) 668-6484

www.greatlakescycling.com

Midwest Bike and Tandems1691 Plymouth Rd.

(734) 213-7744 www.midwesttandems.com

Sic Transit Cycles1033 Broadway

(734) 327-6900

www.sictransitcycles.com

Transition Rack217 S 4th Ave.

(734) 214-9700

www.transitionrack.com

Wheels in Motion3400 Washtenaw Ave.

(734) 971-2121 www.wheelsinmotion.us

Just need a tune-up? Check with your local bike shop about their services

and fees. You can also check out Common Cycle, a donation-run, local

organization whose mission is to get more people on their bikes. They

teach basic repair, maintenance, and riding skills. You can find their

mobile repair station at locations around town (www.commoncycle.org).

There is also a small bike repair station near the Central Campus Transit

Station, and several air pumps around campus.

4 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

SHARINGAnn Arbor has many opportunities for Wolverines to share resources,

services, and skills. These include reuse stores, housing and food co-ops,

farmers and artisans markets, makerspaces, bike kitchens, tool libraries, and

time banks, to name just a few. Making use of our shared resources—

whether it’s time, talent, or physical goods—not only reduces our

collective environmental impact, but also builds community and keeps

more money in the local economy. Below are a number of ways to share

in Ann Arbor. For a complete list, visit www.a2share.org.

A2rCreditsA community organization

working to create democratically

controlled local currency for the

Ann Arbor area

www.facebook.com/A2rcredits

A2TimeBankAllows members to “buy” and

“sell” skills using their own time

and talents as currency

www.a2timebank.org

All Hands ActiveThe AHA! Shop is a makerspace

in downtown Ann Arbor.

www.allhandsactive.org

Ann Arbor District LibraryLibraries are the original sharing

platform! Ours boasts not just

books, music, and movies, but

also art, musical instruments,

tools, telescopes, energy and air

quality meters, and much more.

www.aadl.org

Ann Arbor Free SkoolAn all-volunteer nonhierarchical

collective working to create free

classes, workshops, and skill-

shares in and around Ann Arbor

annarborfreeskool.blogspot.com

Ann Arbor ReskillingA community group that aims to

help people learn skills for resil-

ient, low-energy living

www.a2reskilling.com

Inter-Cooperative Council Student housing governed by co-

operative practices such as shared

work, democratic decision-making,

and pooling of resources

www.icc.coop

MHacksThe nation’s largest student-run

hackathon, where students from

all over the country come togeth-

er to build software applications

and hardware devices

www.mhacks.org

Project Grow Community GardensProvides Ann Arbor area residents

with the resources to grow their

own fresh, organic food

www.projectgrowgardens.org

5

REUSE STORES

Buying previously owned merchandise and/or donating unwanted items

to thrift stores is an easy way to help reduce waste, as well as to keep

money in the local economy. Here are some of the many reuse outlets in

Ann Arbor (for items such as clothing, décor, electronics, furniture, and

much more).

Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop2280 S. Industrial Hwy.

(734) 996-9155

www.a2ptothriftshop.org

Dear Golden Vintage 211 S. Fourth Ave.

(734) 369-3010

http://deargolden.blogspot.com

The Getup Vintage215 S. State St., #3

(734) 327-4300

www.thegetup.com

Habitat for Humanity ReStore170 Aprill Dr. (north side of building)

(734) 822-1530

www.h4h.org

Kiwanis Thrift Sale200 S. First St.

(734) 665-0450

www.kiwanissale.com

U-M Property Disposition

3241 Baxter Rd.

(734) 764-2470

www.umich.edu/~ofa/PropDisp

Ragstock337 E. Liberty St.

(734) 997-0932

www.ragstock.com/stores/

ann-arbor

The ReUse Center2420 S. Industrial Hwy.

(734) 222-7880

www.recycleannarbor.org

Salvation Army1621 S. State St.

(734) 332-3474

www.sawashtenaw.org

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store1001 Broadway St.

(734) 761-1400

www.svdpaa.org

The Scrapbox581 State Cir.

(734) 994-0012

www.scrapbox.com

The ShareHouse5161 Jackson Rd.

(734) 222-0876

www.sharehouseannarbor.org/

Treasure Mart529 Detroit St.

(734) 662-1363

www.treasuremart.com

Value World345 N. Maple Rd.

(734) 728-4610

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W . S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

6 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS

These local eateries support local and/or sustainable food practices.

Help support a greener marketplace by supporting businesses that

“walk the talk”.

KEY

t

Vegetarian Options

s Vegan Options

n Locally Sourced

l Organic Purchasing

$ Less than $10/meal

$$ $10–$20/meal

$$$ More than $20/meal

ON CAMPUS

t s n l $

BeanstersMichigan League AND

Pierpont Commons(734) 764-3586

t s n l $

Bert’s CafeShapiro Library(734) 647-6237

t s n l $

Blue Apple 1931 Duffield St.Ann Arbor, MI, 48104(734) 763-2583 blueapple@umich.edu

t s n l $

Fireside CafePierpont Commons(734) 764-7535

t s n l $

Java Blue East Quad, North Quad, & South Quad(734) 764-0136

t s n l $

Mujo’s CafeDuderstadt Center(734) 615-4325

t s n l $

VictorsHill Dining Center(734) 764-2111

Michigan Dining is dedicated to sustainability. See more information about their operations on page 22. www.dining.umich.edu

IN THE COMMUNITY

t s n l $$

Arbor Brewing Company114 E. Washington St.

(734) 213-1393 www.arborbrewing.com

t s n l $$

Babo To-Go 403 E. Washington St. AND

12 Nickels ArcadeAND

2825 Boardwalk Dr.

(734) 997-8495

www.baboannarbor.com

s n $

Big City Small World Bakery500 Miller Ave. (734) 668-7688

t s n l $

Café Verde216 N. Fourth Ave.

(734) 994-9174

www.peoplesfood.coop/store/ cafe.php

t s n $$

Cardamom1739 Plymouth Rd. (734) 662-2877 www.cardamoma2.com

t s n l $$

EAT1906 Packard St.

(734) 213-7011 www.eatannarbor.com

t s l $

Earthen Jar Vegetarian Cuisine311 S. Fifth Ave. (734) 327-9464 www.earthenjar.com

7L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

t n l $

Espresso Royale214 S. Main St.(734) 668-1838AND

324 State St.(734) 662-2770AND

1101 S. University St.(734) 327-0740www.espressoroyale.com

t n $

Frita Batidos117 W. Washington St.

(734) 761-2882

www.fritabatidos.com

t s n l $$$

Grange Kitchen & Bar118 W. Liberty St.

(734) 995-2107

www.grangekitchenandbar.com t s n $

Hut-K3022 Packard Rd. (734) 786-8312Also at Mark’s Carts!211 W. Washington St. www.hut-k.com

t s $

Jerusalem Garden312 E. Liberty

(734) 995-5060

www.jerusalemgarden.net

t s n l $$

Jolly Pumpkin311 S. Main St.

(734) 913-2730

www.jollypumpkin.com

s n l $

The Lunch Room407 N. Fifth Ave. AND

2200 Fuller Ct.

(734) 224-8859

www.thelunchrooma2.tumblr.com

t s n l $

Mark’s Carts211 W. Washington St. www.markscartsannarbor.com

t s n l $$$

Ravens Club207 S. Main St.

(734) 214-0400

www.theravensclub.com

t s $

Revive619 E. University St.

(734) 332-3366

www.revive-replenish.com

t s n l $$

Sava’s216 S. State St.

(734) 623-2233

www.savasrestaurant.com

t s l $$

Seva Restaurant2541 Jackson Ave.

(734) 662-1111

www.sevarestaurant.com

t s n l $$

Silvio’s Organic Pizza715 N. University St.

(734) 214-6666

www.silviosorganicpizza.com

t n $$

Taste Kitchen521 E Liberty St.

(734) 369-4241

www.tastekitchena2.com

t s $$$

Zingerman’s Deli422 Detroit St. (734) 663-DELI (3354) www.zingermansdeli.com

8 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

GROCERS

These local grocers provide local, organic, or bulk options.

For additional resources for food off campus, please refer to the

Student Off Campus Food Guide at www.umsfp.com. UMSFP

(University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program) is a collaborative of

student organizations working on sustainable food issues.

ON CAMPUS

M Farmers Markets & Produce CartsSeasonally at Michigan Union, Wolverine Tower, NCRC, University Hospital, Domino’s Farms, and Pierpont Commons. See www.mhealthy.umich.edu/produce for days and times.

Student Food Co.Fall & Winter Semesters Angell HallWednesdays & Fridayswww.studentfoodco.com

U-go’sMichigan Union, Michigan League, & Pierpont Commons have sustainable and local options www.uunions.umich.edu/ugos

IN THE COMMUNITY

Ann Arbor Farmer’s Market315 Detroit St. (734) 794-6255Dates at times on web.www.a2gov.org/market

Arbor Farms Market2103 W. Stadium Blvd. (734) 996-8111www.arborfarms.com

Argus Farm Stop625 W. Liberty St. (734) 213-2200 www.argusfarmstop.com

Cobblestone Farm Market 2781 Packard Rd. (734) 794-6230www.cobblestonefarmmarket.org

Babo Market403 E. Washington St. (734) 997-8495www.baboannarbor.com

By the Pound615 S. Main St. (734) 665-8884

Lucky’s Market1919 S. Industrial Hwy. (734)368-9137 www.luckysmarket.com

People’s Food Co-op216 N. Fourth Ave. (734) 994-9174www.peoplesfood.coop

Plum MarketMaple Village Plaza375 N. Maple Rd. (734) 827-5000 www.plummarket.com

The Produce Station1629 S. State St. (734) 663-7848www.producestation.com

Replenish619 E. University St.(734) 332-3355www.revive-replenish.com

Sparrow Market415 N. Fifth Ave, 1st Floor (734) 761-8175www.sparrowmarket.com

Trader Joe’s2398 E. Stadium Blvd. (734) 975-2455www.traderjoes.com

Whole Foods Market990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy. (734) 997-7500AND

3135 Washtenaw Ave. (734) 975-4500www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Search the guide at www.realtimefarms.com (a local start-up!) for other places to eat or buy locally sourced foods. You can check out the Washtenaw Food Hub for more ways to get involved with the local food economy at www.washtenawfoodhub.com.

SHOPS Find environmentally and socially responsible goods at these local retailers.

BGreen Today2111 Packard St.(734) 214-3000www.bgreentoday.com

Crazy Wisdom114 S Main St.(734) 665-2757www.crazywisdom.net

Downtown Home and Garden 210 S. Ashley St.(734) 662-8122www.downtownhomeandgarden.com

Himalayan Bazaar218 S. Main St. (734) 997-7229 www.thehimalayanbazaar.com Kerrytown Market & Shops407 N. Fifth Ave. (734) 662-5008 www.kerrytown.com Maggie’s Organics Online Store, based in Ann ArborProducts can also be found at retailers like People’s Food Co-op and Whole Foods!www.maggiesorganics.com Perpetua Boutique Organique209 S. Fourth Ave, Suite 1A (734) 222-9270 www.perpetuaboutique.com Sunday Artisan Market315 Detroit St. (734) 913-9622 www.artisanmarket.org Ten Thousand Villages303 S. Main St. (734) 332-1270 www.annarbor.tenthousandvillages.com Want more? Check out http://thinklocalfirst.net for a listing of unique Ann Arbor businesses to support!

9L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

10 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

Here’s a list of just some of the

many recreational opportunities

in the Ann Arbor area, including

outdoor outfitters and local parks.

OUTDOOR OUTFITTERSArgo Canoe Livery 1055 Longshore Dr.

(734) 794-6241

www.a2gov.org/canoe

Offers kayak and canoe rentals. Operated by the City of Ann Arbor. Take a trip down the Argo Cascades on the Huron River with a rental or your own tube, kayak, or canoe.

Bivouac Ann Arbor Gear Rentals336 S. State St.

(877) 846-8248

www.bivouacannarbor.com

Outdoor equipment retailers and gear rental

Gallup Canoe Livery3000 Fuller Rd.

(734) 794-6240

www.a2gov.org/canoe

Offers canoe, kayak, paddleboat, and rowboat rentals and is surrounded by park trails and playgrounds. Operated by the City of Ann Arbor.

Moosejaw327 S. Main St.

(734) 769-1590

www.moosejaw.com

Outdoor gear and equipment

ACTIVITIES & RECREATION

11L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

RESOURCEOutdoor Adventures

336 Hill St.

(734) 764-3967 www.recsports.umich.edu/outdooradv

University of Michigan Department of Recreational Sports outdoor trips and gear rental program

Planet Rock Climbing Gym82 Aprill Dr.

(734) 827-2680

www.planet-rock.com

Indoor climbing wall for all skill levels with gear available to rent

REI970 W. Eisenhower Pkwy.

(734) 827-1938www.rei.com

Outdoor gear and equipment for rental or purchase

PARKSMatthaei Botanical GardensThe Gardens are home to a set of fun trail loops, the U-M Campus Farm, and plenty of community activities. 1800 N. Dixboro Rd.

(734) 647-7600

www.mbgna.umich.edu

Nichols Arboretum Escape campus (without going too far) in U-M’s own park on the Huron River. James D. Reader Center

1610 Washington Hts.

(734) 647-7600

www.mbgna.umich.edu

Leslie Science & Nature CenterBoasts about 50 acres of parkland, a critter house, raptor enclosures, and many opportunities for volunteering 1831 Traver Rd.

(734) 997-1553

www.lesliesnc.org

Pinckney Recreation AreaA nearby state park with lakes, trails, and campgrounds 8555 Silver Hill Rd.

Pinckney, MI 48169

(734) 426-4913

www.michigandnr.com/

parksandtrails

Waterloo Recreation AreaAnother great nearby state park16345 McClure Rd. Chelsea, MI 48118

(734) 475-8307

www.michigandnr.com/

parksandtrails

City of Ann Arbor ParksA2 is home to 158 city parks. Find park locations and features atwww.a2gov.org/parks

ACTIVITIES & RECREATION

12 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

climate action

U-M GOALS

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25%(from 2006 levels) by 2025.

Decrease carbon intensity of passenger trips on U-M transportation options 30%

(from 2006 levels) by 2025.

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U 13

SIMPLE WAYS TO CONSERVE ENERGY●

• Keep your fridge stocked. Refrigerators and freezers are most

efficient when they are full.

• Dress appropriately for the season. Wearing your favorite sweater

in cooler weather means you won’t have to turn up the thermostat.

• Keep thermostats set below 68º during cold months and above

76º during warm seasons.

• Remember to close windows when heating or cooling systems are on.

• During winter days, open blinds and curtains to allow sunlight in

for solar heat gain. Close up in the evening to keep in the warmth.

• Avoid the use of portable electric space heaters, which are notorious

“energy hogs.”

• Use hot water sparingly. Today’s laundry detergents work just as

well in cold water—protecting your clothes and reducing your impact!

• Dim room lights when working on a computer or use desk lamps

(“task lighting”) to avoid turning up the brightness level on the monitor.

• Whether you rent or own, check out www.a2energy.org for more

energy conservation tips for home. Get involved with location initia-

tives through the Community Climate Partnership at a2energy.org/

climate.

RESOURCE: Regional Energy Managers work across campus

to improve energy efficiency. If you are in a U-M building

and there is a heating/cooling, lighting, or other energy issue email

energyconservation@umich.edu. You can also see your building’s utility

usage at www.energymanagement.umich.edu/buildings.

ENERGY-SMART COMPUTING

• Turn your computer off at night or when you are out of town.

• Do not plug in your printer until you are ready to print. Printers

consume energy even while they are idling. Better yet, use shared

printers in Community Learning Centers or U-M computing sites.

• Take advantage of power-efficiency settings in system preferences.

Make sure your computer goes to sleep when not used for more

than 15 minutes (even less is better!).

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U14

• Think before you print! Use a smaller

font, decrease line spacing, choose

narrower margins, and use double-sided

printing. If you can, read and review on

the screen instead of printing.

• Always buy and use recycled-content paper. Look for paper with 50-100%

post-consumer waste that is non-chlo-

rine bleached.

• Buy vegetable or non-petroleum-based inks. These printer inks are made from

renewable resources, require fewer

hazardous solvents, and, in many cases,

produce brighter, cleaner colors.

• Recycle your printer cartridges. U-M

buildings can contact Mikan Corporation

at (734) 944-9447. They will provide

collection boxes and pick them up from

your building when filled.

RESOURCE: Check out our

Sustainable Computing site at

sustainablecomputing.umich.edu for more

information and how-to’s on saving energy

when computing. Also check out the Print

Smart Program for your workplace to save

on printing costs and resources at finance.

umich.edu/procurement/printsmart.

TRANSPORTATION

BY FOOTThe campus area is completely accessible

for walking. The State Street and South

University areas border Central Campus and

are full of restaurants and shops. On North

Campus, there are plenty of footpaths (keep

an eye out for deer!).

BY BIKEIn March 2012, U-M was designated as a

Bicycle Friendly University by the League of

American Bicyclists. Bicycling is an easy al-

ternative to walking (just be sure to remem-

ber your helmet!), with bike parking available

near all class buildings and along many side-

walks. A map of Ann Arbor bike paths can be

found at www.a2gov.org/bike and U-M bike

maps at www.pts.umich.edu/maps.

ARBORBIKE: Ann Arbor’s bikeshare program,

new in 2014. You can buy daily, weekly, or

annual memberships to check out a bike from

any of the fourteen stations across campus

and downtown and just return them to any

station when you are done. www.arborbike.org.

PLANET BLUE BIKE RENTAL PROGRAM: Through Outdoor Adventures, part of U-M’s

Department of Recreational Sports, you can

rent a “Blue Bike” for a day, a weekend, or

even a full semester. 336 Hill St. (734) 764-

3967 http://recsports.umich.edu/bluebikes;

Email: outdooradventures@gmail.com.

In addition to bike rental, there are several

supporting bicycle amenities on campus,

including two public air pump stations (North

Quad and Pierpont Commons), and a “fix it”

station near the Central Campus Transit Center

where cyclists can access several tools for

quick fixes. Cyclists also have the option of

renting a space in the enclosed bike-storage

facility located on the south side of the

Thompson Street parking structure. The

secured facility contains 50 spaces for bicy-

cles and an air compressor. More informa-

tion at www.pts.umich.edu.

BY BUSBLUE BUS LINE: The fleet of Michigan buses

now includes multiple hybrid buses, so you

can feel even better about using this mode

of public transportation. Blue buses can

take you to all of the separate-but-intercon-

nected areas of the entire campus. The best

part is that it’s FREE! Bus stops are located

throughout campus. Details at www.pts.

umich.edu. NOTE: Want to know exactly

when your bus is coming? Magic Bus pro-

vides a real-time view of each Michigan bus

at www.mbus.pts.umich.edu.

wattage wisdom

Most electronics still use power even when turned off. Up to 10 percent of an electricity bill is sucked up by electronics that have been turned

off! Unplug whatever you are not using to save money

and energy.

15L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

THE ANN ARBOR AREA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (AAATA)—THE RIDE: This bus

system travels throughout the City of Ann

Arbor and to Ypsilanti. AAATA offers 28

routes that make it easy to get around town.

With a U-M ID you can ride FREE. Pick up a

route schedule and guide on the bus, or visit

www.theride.org.

GREYHOUND: The Ann Arbor Greyhound

station is located downtown at 115 E. William

St. and provides busing services nationwide.

Greyhound’s Student Advantage Card can

save you 20% off standard fares. More infor-

mation at www.greyhound.com.

MEGABUS: Megabus is a low-cost,

express bus service offering trips to

Chicago. The Ann Arbor stop is located at

2694 S. State St. Find schedules and rates

at www.megabus.com.

AIRRIDE: A great option for getting to the

Detroit Metro Airport is AirRide, a partner-

ship between The Ride and the Michigan

Flyer (also provides transportation to East

Lansing). Make a reservation, or just walk

on. More information can be found on the

AirRide website at: www.myairride.com.

BY TRAINAMTRAK: Travel from Ann Arbor toward

Chicago or Detroit with the Amtrak train.

Details and tickets at www.amtrak.com.

BY CARCARPOOL: When traveling outside of Ann

Arbor for an event or trip, plan to carpool and

take the most fuel- efficient car available to

you. GreenRide Connect, an online rideshare

application, can help match you with people

whose destinations are similar and can be

accessed at www.isharearide.org/u-m. U-M

also supports a vanpool program for com-

muting faculty and staff.

ZIPCAR: If you need a car temporarily for

an errand or excursion and are at least 18,

you can rent a Zipcar. Your low reservation

rate includes gas and insurance. U-M sign

up, including specific membership and

reservation rates, can be found at

www.zipcar.com/umich.

road rageAccording to the U.S. Department

of Transportation, about 140 million motor vehicles in the U.S. are driven

nearly 4 billion miles per day, using more than 200 million

gallons of gasoline.

16 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

waste prevention

U-M GOALReduce waste sent to landfills by 40%

(from 2006 levels) by 2025through recycling, reducing, reusing,

and composting.

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U 17

1. REDUCE FIRST

• Buy only what you need and use all of what you buy.

• Choose products with minimal packaging. No packaging, or

reusable, is best. If not, go for packaging that can be readily recycled

and, even better, is made from recycled material.

• Be prepared and get in the habit of carrying a reusable travel mug, water bottle, fork, and shopping bag.

• Ask for electronic receipts and statements. If just 20% of

Americans switched to electronic bill receipt and payment, we could

save almost 2 million trees and 100 million gallons of gasoline a year.

RESOURCE: Procurement Services provides green purchasing

guidelines and a list of green products and suppliers through

their “Make Blue Green” initiative for U-M departments.

2. REUSE• Give away what you no longer want or use; a friend can probably

put the item to good use. Or check out the many reuse outlets on

page 5. You can also find and discard items online at www.freecycle.

org, www.craigslist.org, or www.nextdoor.com.

• When you need to purchase something, check yard sales, charitable outlets, and resale stores first.

• If you have to use disposables (like plastic cups, utensils, and

food storage bags) don’t throw them away! Wash and reuse disposables.

• Repair items when they break instead of replacing them.

• Hold a yard sale and ask your neighbors to join in too.

• Instead of using paper towels for cleaning, invest in a few good dishcloths.

RESOURCE: U-M departments and units can use MBay, an open

internal online forum, to coordinate the trading of free items

between departments or units. Property Disposition handles the SALE

of any surplus U-M supplies (computers, office furniture, etc.).

https://www31.med.umich.edu/hos/mbay/index.cfm.

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U18

3. RECYCLE

Only after reducing and/or reusing your goods do you recycle what is left

over! Fortunately, U-M makes it extremely easy to recycle, with recy-

cling bins available throughout the Ann Arbor campus—including every

residence hall room! Live off campus? U-M’s recycling guidelines are

the same as the City of Ann Arbor’s. See the opposite page for what can

go in the bin. Check www.recycle.umich.edu for how to recycle other

items such as batteries, Styrofoam, DVDs, and more. If you live in U-M

Housing, ask at your Community Center for additional options. Be careful NOT to throw trash, including paper coffee cups, in the designated recycling bins.

HOW ABOUT COMPOSTING? Check www.recycle.umich.edu/grounds/recycle/composting

for info on how to compost at your event. Some buildings, such as

U-M’s Ross School of Business, currently provides composting in their

buildings. The City of Ann Arbor provides seasonal composting for yard

and food waste to residents. Check out www.a2gov.org/compost.

can doEnergy saved from one recycled aluminum can could operate a TV set

for three hours.

call for canteens!If every U-M freshman used the reusable Planet Blue water bottle

they receive, we’d stop nearly one million plastic bottles

from going to a landfill every year!

rags to richesDuring move-out week 2015, more than 9 tons of clothing,

household goods, bedding, food, and other items were collected

and donated to local non-profit organizations.

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U 19

and muchmore!

WHAT CAN YOU RECYCLE?Here’s a sampling of what can go in your recycling bin.

WWW.RECYCLE.UMICH.EDUVisit the Waste Reduction and Recycling Office’s webpage for more information.

Please remember paper coffee cups, plastic bags, straws, and lids are not recyclable at the University of Michigan.

20 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

U-M GOAL

Protect Huron River quality by reducing runoff from impervious surfaces and reducing the volume

of land management chemicals on campus by 40% (from 2006 levels) by 2025.

Purchase 20% of U-M food in accordance with U-M Sustainable Food Purchasing

Guidelines by 2025.

healthy environments

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U 21

healthy environments

WATER CONSERVATION • Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic. It takes three to five liters of water

to manufacture a single 1-liter plastic disposable bottle. When refilling your reusable water bottle, choose one of the more than 100 Refill Stations on campus.

• Shorten your shower by a minute or two per day, and you’ll save up to 150 gallons of water per month.

• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, wash your hands, and shave.

• Use a dishwasher if you have one! They use significantly less water than washing dishes by hand. Only run when full and on cool water settings.

WATER QUALITY AND STORMWATERUnlike wastewater, which is treated at a wastewater treatment plant, stormwater receives no treatment

before being discharged to surface waters. Learn more at www.oseh.umich.edu/environment/storm.shtml. You can do your part to protect our watershed by following the practic-es below:

• Do NOT dump waste in storm drains! They flow directly to the Huron River. Make sure no litter (such as plastic party cups) or hazardous liquids (such as oils or soapy water), fertilizers, or other debris enters a storm drain.

• Maintain your car. Fix any oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, or brake fluid leaks immediately to keep these toxic liquids out of our waterways. Inquire at your automotive shop about proper disposal methods.

• Practice sustainable lawn maintenance by watering less, growing native plants, using phosphorus-free fertilizers, allowing buffer zones between waterways and maintained lawns, and avoiding the use of fertilizers and pesticides.

• Don’t flush your extra medications! When drugs go down the drain, traces of the flushed chemicals can reach our waterways even after the wastewater treatment process. Check out www.dontflushdrugs.com for more information and proper disposal methods.

• Use green cleaners and personal care products. Similarly, chemicals in household cleaners and personal care products end up in our waterways. Use more environ-mentally friendly options. Never pour excess household cleaners or oil-based paints down the drain.

LOCAL AND SUSTAINABLE FOOD • Eat Organic! Organic farms don’t use harmful conventional pesticides.

• Eat Local! Know your farmer, ask them about their practices, and visit local farms. Communities benefit economically from small farms, and you get fresher food!

• Eat in Season. The average U.S. carrot travels 1,838 miles from where it is grown to where it reaches your plate. To find out what is in season in Michigan, check out NRDC’s site: www.simplesteps.org/eat-local/state/michigan.

• Eat More Produce. It takes 110 gallons of water to produce a quarter-pound beef patty, while producing one apple takes only 18 gallons.

• Grow Your Own. According to the USDA, the average home gardener can grow $25 worth of produce for every dollar spent on supplies.

• Bulk up. Buy nonperishable food (e.g. beans, grains, flour) in bulk. Bring your own containers and you will save money and reduce packaging waste!

22 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

Michigan Dining provides meals to over 8,500 students living on campus

every year and serves the U-M community with its dining halls, retail

shops, cafes and restaurants. Sustainable dining is an integral part of

Michigan Dining’s mission.

WORKPLACE CERTIFICATION100% of Michigan Dining is Platinum Sustainable Workplace certified.

PLANET BLUE AMBASSADORS95% of Michigan Dining staff are certified Planet Blue Ambassadors.

MICHIGAN BUSINESS 27% of Michigan Dining’s food spend is spent with Michigan farmers and

companies. When you’re shopping on campus, consider choosing foods

with the Local Foods logo.

LOCAL MEATMost of the meat served at East Quad is supplied by farms less than 250

miles from Ann Arbor. Michigan Dining is expanding this program to other

dining centers. When eating on campus, head to East Quad and support

Michigan ranchers.

MICHIGAN MILKAll milk served on campus comes from Michigan dairy farms within 100

miles of campus, and contains no genetically engineered hormones. The

soft serve ice cream is local, too. Help yourself to a cone and support

Michigan dairies!

FRESH PRODUCE Michigan Dining—in collaboration with Central Student Government,

Office of Campus Sustainability, and MHealthy—hosts weekly M Farmers

Markets from June through October. Markets are Mondays at the

Michigan Union and Fridays at Pierpont Commons. For more information

visit mhealthy.umich.edu/produce.

23

Other markets on campus are sponsored by student organizations. The

Campus Farm runs a market at the Munger Graduate Residences and the

Student Food Co. runs a market in Mason Hall.

SUSTAINABLE SEAFOODMichigan Dining partners with Sea To Table, a company that provides

seafood from sustainable wild fisheries. They are also the first Big Ten

university to gain Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Chain of Custody

certification. Look for the MSC logo when choosing entrees in the dining

centers.

FOOD WASTEIn addition to reducing food waste in the kitchens, via their production

process, entrees in the dining centers are served “tapas” or small plate

style, and many dishes are made to order. This keeps food fresher and

creates less food waste. They will also offer larger servings or small

tastes. Just ask!

FOOD RECOVERYThe student-run Food Recovery Network (FRN) partners with Michigan

Dining to collect perishable, unused food for donation to Food Gatherers.

To date, FRN has recovered over 10,500 tons of food. Contact the FRN to

get involved.

COMPOSTING Michigan Dining partners with WeCare Organics in Ann Arbor to turn

food waste from all Michigan Dining operations into organic compost.

Michigan Dining can also help coordinate zero-waste catering events.

For more information visit dining.umich.edu

Top Five Ways YOU Can Be Involved in Michigan Dining’s

Sustainability Initiatives

1. Eat vegan or vegetarian! Go to Meatless Mondays

at East Quad or choose a vegan or vegetarian option in any

dining center, whether it’s once a day, or once in a while!

2. Kick the plastic bottle habit. Use the water refill stations

around campus to fill your Planet Blue water bottle.

3. Educate yourself. Know the difference between waste,

recyclable, and compostable materials.

4. Reduce your food waste. Customize your dining center meals, and if you’d

like some more food, just ask! Take what you’ll eat and eat what you take.

5. Go one step further. Become a Planet Blue Ambassador today!

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

Become part of the sustainability solution by getting involved in Planet Blue here

at the University! Here are some of the many ways you can live on Planet Blue at U-M.

community awareness

L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U 25

BECOME A PLANET BLUE AMBASSADORAny faculty, staff, or student who completes the online

Planet Blue Ambassador training program can become certified

and engaged in campus sustainability opportunities. Learn more

at www.sustainability.umich.edu/pba.

TAKE A SUSTAINABILITY COURSECourses with sustainability content

or a sustainability focus are available

in most majors. Check out the

sustainability course database at

graham.umich.edu/course-search.

Staff can submit campus sustain-

ability research or project ideas

to students in courses such as

ENVIRON 211: Social Sciences

& Environmental Problems.

CERTIFY YOUR WORKPLACEStaff and faculty can pursue a Sustainable Workplace Certification

through the Office of Campus Sustainability. Employees who work in

a lab should also look into the Sustainable Lab Recognition Program.

Start at www.ocs.umich.edu.

BECOME A PLANET BLUE STUDENT LEADER IN U-M HOUSINGApply to this paid student position and serve as an “eco rep” in your

University Housing community. As a Student Leader, you’ll connect

students living in campus housing with opportunities and resources

to live more sustainably. Visit www.sustainability.umich.edu/pbsl.

Any Housing student can also

certify their dorm room as a Planet Blue Room at sustainability.umich.

edu/planet-blue-room.

26 L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

sustainable staffWithin Student Life, 22 offices

are Platinum Sustainable Workplace certified.

Student Life provides support and strives to enhance the student

experience beyond the classroom. It is made up of a wide range of or-

ganizations offering wellness resources, social and entertainment pro-

grams, and many individual support services. Student Life’s commit-

ment to sustainable practices is strong. Here are some opportunities

for students to get involved in Student Life’s sustainability initiatives:

BLUE BIKES Bikes are available for rent through the Blue Bikes program managed by

Recreational Sports in collaboration with other campus units. Rent a bike

for a semester, day, or weekend.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES Every incoming freshman receives a Planet Blue reusable water bottle

within the first few days of arrival. You can also purchase a Planet Blue

water bottle from any of the U-go’s convenience shops in the unions.

There are over 100 water refill stations located all over campus.

MOVING-WASTE DIVERSION Working together, students and the University are diverting tons (literally!)

of materials from landfills during Move-In and Move-Out each year.

Electronics, clothing, bedding, and food are collected, so keep an eye out

for the yellow bins!

KILL-A-WATTIf you live on campus, conserve energy by participating in the Kill-a-Watt

residence hall competition. Unplugging devices when they aren’t in use

and turning off the lights when you leave the room can really add up!

COMMUNITY GARDENSStudent Life sponsors community gardens on campus. These gardens

offer their harvested produce for sale in farmers markets or invite the

public to harvest freely. Next time you pass by a campus garden, feel

free to take a closer look.

27L E A R N M O R E AT W W W. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y. U M I C H . E D U

CAMPUS COMPOSTINGComposting food waste is a growing initiative here at U-M. Get

involved! If you host an event on campus, consider organizing a

compost pick-up or working with a caterer to go Zero Waste.

If you attend a Zero Waste event, help out by not bringing disposables,

and properly using compost and recycling bins for food and other waste

generated.

Single-family homes and smaller apartment buildings also have the ability

to compost food waste seasonally in the City of Ann Arbor through their

compost cart program. www.a2gov.org/compost

PRE VERSUS POST-CONSUMER COMPOSTINGPre-consumer compost is prep waste like fruit and vegetable trimmings,

potato peelings, spoiled produce, eggshells and stale bakery items.

Post-consumer compost is leftover food like apple cores, half-eaten

sandwiches, and banana peels. Certified compostable disposables can

be composted as well. These include plates, cups, flatware, bowls, and

napkins that are marked “compostable” or are identified with code

ASTM D6400 or D6868.

TIP: Many bio-plastic items claim to be compostable, but without

certification, won’t break down in a compost pile. When in doubt, it is

always better to throw away plastic disposables rather than risk compost

contamination. Many paper cups, especially those for hot liquids, have a

thin-plastic lining and are also not compostable.

TIP: Compostable plastics are NOT recyclable. If you do not have access

to compost, these items should go in the trash.

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DECLARE A MINOR IN SUSTAINABILITY The University of Michigan offers a wide range of academic programs

focused on the environment and sustainability, and recently added a

Sustainability Minor offered through the Program in the Environment

(PitE). So, whatever your major, if you have a passion for protecting the

planet, check it out at www.lsa.umich.edu/pite. Brand new this year, PitE

is also offering an interdisciplinary minor in sustainable food systems,

with courses that address issues of food production, consumption, and

policy in relation to human health, equity, and the environment.

MORE SUSTAINABILITY OPPORTUNITIESCheck the Planet Blue website for more educational and research oppor-

tunities with schools and colleges across U-M. The Graham Sustainability

Institute administers interdisciplinary programs for undergraduate to

post-doctoral levels. www.graham.umich.edu/learning.

In addition to its graduate programs and leading research, the School of

Natural Resources provides public talks, resources, an art gallery, and

more. www.snre.umich.edu

PROJECT FUNDINGCheck out sustainability.umich.edu for funding opportunities such as the

Planet Blue Student Innovation Awards and DOW Distinguished Awards

for student-led sustainability projects on campus and around the world.

JOIN A STUDENT GROUPStudent Sustainability Initiative (SSI) brings together student groups

working on sustainability with regular roundtables. sustainability.umich.

edu/ssi; Email: ssi-board@umich.edu. Some of the many student organi-

zations are:

• Environmental Action (EnAct) environmental outreach and

education

• Central Student Government University Sustainability Commission

• Kayak Club

• Kill-a-Watt annual energy-saving competition

• Michigan Sailing Team

• Michigan Student-Athletes for Sustainability (M-SAS)

• University of Michigan Sustainable Foods Program (UMSFP)

• BLUElab real-world engineering projects

• A2Share promoting the sharing economy

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• Solar Car Team

• Student Food Co. sells fresh produce on campus

• Students for Clean Energy

• UM Bees

For more information, check out these organizations and more at

maizepages.umich.edu/ or at events such as Festifall and Go North! Fest.

VOLUNTEER ON CAMPUS OR IN THE COMMUNITYIf you’re interested in a more hands-on approach to getting involved, con-

sider rolling up your sleeves for one of the campus groups or community

non-profits outlined below.

• The Ginsberg Center provides a network of service-learning organi-

zations to bring about social change. www.ginsberg.umich.edu.

• Circle K International provides various community service opportunities

for helping the environment and those in need. www.umcirclek.org.

• The Detroit Partnership works on various sustainability projects

in the City of Detroit. www.thedp.org

• The Environmental Commission for the City of Ann Arbor hold

public meetings and works on sustainability concerns throughout

our community.

• Ecology Center works for clean energy production, healthy

communities, environmental justice, and a sustainable future.

www.ecocenter.org

• Food Gatherers is a local non-profit that exists to alleviate hunger and

eliminate its causes in Washtenaw County. www.foodgatherers.org

• GIVE365 is the City of Ann Arbor’s volunteer program, including op-

portunities at the Farmer’s Market and parks. www.a2gov.org/volunteer.

• Growing Hope’s work includes providing start-up gardening as-

sistance, teaching classes and workshops, and developing training

materials. www.growinghope.net

• The Huron River Watershed Council inspires attitudes, behaviors,

and economies that protect, rehabilitate, and sustain the ecological and

cultural communities of the Huron River ecosystem. www.hrwc.org

• The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is non-partisan with

priorities to secure adequate state funding for environmental protec-

tion and conservation. www.michiganlcv.org

• The National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional

Center works to protect wildlife, restore natural habitats and

ecosystems, and educate the public to adopt similar practices.

www.nwf.org/Great-Lakes.aspx

• Natural Area Preservation is part of the Ann Arbor city government

and works with volunteers to protect and restore natural areas.

www.a2gov.org/NAP

Printed on 100% recycled, post-consumer material using

vegetable-based inks. Please share and/or recycle.

DESIGN BY SUSAN E. THOMPSON

Developed at the Graham Sustainability Institute

©2015 Regents of the University of Michigan

facebook.com/UMSustainability

twitter.com/UMPlanetBlue

CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY GOALSAll goals are for the year 2025, with baseline data from 2006

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25%

Decrease carbon intensity of passenger trips on U-M passenger trips on U-M transportation options 30%

Reduce waste sent to landfills by 40%

Protect Huron River quality by reducing runoff from impervious surfaces and reducing the volume of land

management chemicals on campus by 40%

Purchase 20% of U-M food in accordance with U-M Sustainable Food Purchasing Guidelines

Invest in sustainability culture programs to educate our community, track behavior, and report

on progress over time

HELP US GET THERE!

Become a Planet Blue Ambassador at www.sustainability.umich.edu/pba