Florida State University
GREENLIVING
GUIDE
Welcome to Florida State University! This comprehensive guide will help you live a more sustainable life as a Seminole. This guide shows you how to live “green� as a college student and will highlight choices in your shopping, transportation, energy use, water use, and leisure time that can lead to a more sustainable lifestyle and community!
Table of
CONTENTS Everyday Green Living Tips
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Recycling on Campus
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Eco-Room
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Transportation Bikes Buses Other Services
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Eco-Eats Seminole Dining On-Campus Options Resources
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Academic
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Get Involved
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Eco-Friendly Leisure
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Everyday Green Living Tips
Everyday
Green Living Tips SUPPORT LOCAL Shop at locally owned businesses for clothing, furniture, appliances, etc. Better yet, buy it used (or get it for free!) from a thrift store, eBay Local, or Craigslist. EAT GREEN Buy locally grown food, support local restaurants, or grow your own produce! SAVE WATER Take shorter showers, turn off the faucet when brushing teeth, and only do full loads of laundry. BE REUSABLE Make sure to carry a reusable water bottle/coffee thermos. Bring reusable bags on your shopping trips. SAVE ENERGY Turn off the lights when you leave the room, use a power strip to easily power down electronics when not in use, and use compact fluorescent bulbs. SAVE A TREE Cut down on paper use by printing less, using fewer paper towels, and buying products made with recycled paper. Make sure to recycle any paper used!
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On Campus All campus trash and recycling is handled by our very own Solid Waste & Recycling team who all work hard to keep our grounds clean and beautiful. Recycling bins are available in every building, residence hall, and in high traffic areas around campus. Please be on the lookout for the many types of bins we utilize and help us sort the trash and recycling properly.
What goes in the bin?
Recycling on on Campus Campus Recycling
Recycling
CO-MINGLE (all in same bin): glass, aluminum, plastics #1-7. Located next to every trash bin outside on campus. MIXED PAPER (all types): white, colored, newsprint. Bins located inside buildings. CARDBOARD: stack next to paper bins or take to bin behind building.
LANDFILL
BOTTLES & CAN S
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Eco-Room BOTTLE/CAN RECYCLING BIN: Recycle all of your plastic, glass, and aluminum cans, bottles, jars, cups, bowls and containers in your blue recycling bin, and be sure to dispose of it properly! PAPER/CARDBOARD RECYCLING BIN: Recycle all of your paper on the first floor of your residence hall and place your cardboard in the cardboard dumpster outside your hall. SINK: Remember to turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. LAUNDRY BASKET: Wash clothes in cold water to reduce energy consumption by 90%. Choose laundry detergent free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and phosphates. PRINTER: Set your printer to double-sided (duplex) printing. If you bring your printer try to share one with your roommate. Be sure to recycle your empty ink cartridges in the FSU Bookstore recycling bin. COMPUTER: Use your computer energy saver settings to conserve electricity. Make sure to unplug it when it is not in use and set it to automatically turn off after a period of inactivity. ROOM FURNISHINGS: Look for gently used room furnishings. Donate to Chuck it for Charity at the end of the year.
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PLANT: Use a natural air-freshener, plants or flowers, to improve air quality, freshness, and scents. ROOM DECORATIONS: Re-use your old room decorations; swap decor with your friends, or buy “new” from a thrift store.
Eco-Room
WINDOW: Utilize natural sunlight whenever possible!
Eco-Room
DRYING RACK: Save energy by air-drying your clothing. Fold-up racks can be easily stored when not in use.
REUSABLE BOTTLE: Use a reusable bottle rather than bottled water to save money, reduce waste, pollution, environmental degradation, and energy. All of FSU’s water is filtered and chilled so utilize this free, clean water. Join Take Back the Tap FSU to learn more! SPORTING EQUIPMENT (SOCCER/BASKETBALL ETC.): Improve your health by getting some fresh air and being active outdoors! Check out Campus Recreation for a variety of health and wellness options. LIGHT SWITCH: Save energy by turning off your lights when you leave the room. CFL/LED BULB: By switching to an energy efficient light bulb you can use 75% less energy over a traditional incandescent bulb. REUSABLE DISHWARE: Cut down on your waste by using a reusable plate, cup, bowl, and utensils. POWERSTRIP: Even when your electronic devices are tuned off phantom loads suck energy. Plug all of your devices into a powerstip to kill phantom energy. MINI-FRIDGE: Improve your health and support local farmers by purchasing local fruits and vegetables. Try meatless Mondays to reduce your carbon footprint! SKATEBOARD: Save money, energy, and your health by using alternative transportation on campus. SHOWER: Challenge yourself to take shorter showers and save water.
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Transportation
Recycling on Campus
Transportation
Whether you are on campus or off campus, eco-friendly transportation practices can help save money, conserve energy, provide both personal and social time, and reduce carbon emissions in our community. Having a car in Tallahassee, particularly if you live on campus, is not necessary. Tallahassee has many great alternative transportation options, and not having a car will save you money and valuable time, as you will be able to skip the crowded parking lot and head straight to your destination!
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How to get a bike: FSU ReCycle Bike Program This bike-renting program provides FSU students the chance to rent a bike for a semester or school year for a low cost. Reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and burn some calories at the same time!
Eco-Room
Bikes
Transportation
Transportation
Resources
Tallahassee boasts numerous bike shops selling both new and used bicycles.
Bike Tallahassee Maps, safety information, area clubs, etc. www.biketallahassee.com Capital City Cyclists Tallahassee’s oldest bike club, offering group rides, special events, etc. www.cccyclists.org Bike Eat Shop Tallahassee (BEST) A partnership between local businesses and cyclists. Bikers receive discounts at participating businesses. www.bike-eat-shop-tallahassee.com
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Eco-Room Transportation
Transportation Buses
SEMINOLE EXPRESS ROUTES The Seminole Express Bus System provides transit to and from campus and all around town. Every student, faculty or staff member of FSU can ride it for FREE. All students, faculty and staff can also ride any StarMetro bus throughout the City of Tallahassee for FREE, just show the driver your FSUCard. Check the website for exact times and pick-up locations.
NIGHT NOLE The Night Nole bus route runs from 10:30PM until 3:00AM, Tuesday through Saturday during the Fall and Spring semesters. The Night Nole does not run during the summer semester.
REGIONAL BUSES GMG and Red Coach are bus services that run between cities from North Florida all the way down to South Florida, specifically designed for students traveling across the state.
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Try the following sites for buses: •www.gmgtrans.com •www.redcoachusa.com
Other Services
EMERGENCY RIDE HOME PROGRAM Getting to work by carpool, vanpool, bus, cycling, or walking can save you hundreds of dollars each year. Still, when you must work late or leave early for an emergency, you need a quick and reliable way home. Commuter Services offers this program at no charge to qualified commuters and gives you peace of mind knowing that if an emergency does arise, you’re home free — literally. Registration is easy! 888-454-RIDE or visit them at
Transportation
Transportation
http://www.commuterservices.org/commuters/emergency-ride-home-program/
GOTCHA GREEN TAXI GOTCHA is an eco-friendly company providing FREE and safe rides around town. The ride is always FREE; tips are good karma. Need a ride? Call 850-270-6787.
NOLE CAB Offers FSU students a safe and reliable ride home for a reduced fare. Nole cab runs 7 days a week from 10pm-4am. Call 850-645-TAXI (8294).
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Transportation
Transportation Other Services
ZIPCAR Need a car? Borrow a Zipcar! FSU has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to the area. To use Zipcars simply register and reserve a car on-line or by phone, use your Zipcard to enter the car, and drive away. Return the car to the same location where you picked it up! http://www.zipcar.com/fsu
ZIMRIDE Zimride is a fun and easy way to share the seats in your car or catch a ride. With Zimride, you can find FSU friends, classmates, and coworkers going the same way you are. Zimride is a private ride-sharing network for FSU and requires a valid FSU email address to gain access to its services. http://www.zimride.com/fsu/
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Seminole Dining On-campus dining halls are making conscious efforts to reduce their eco-footprint through a variety of practices.
Eco-Eats
Eco-Eats
Leftover coffee grounds are available for community gardens and local farms. Fair Trade coffee is sold at Starbucks on campus and at both Fresh Food Company and Suwannee Room dining halls. Discounts on fountain drinks and drip coffee are offered when students bring their reusable mugs. Reusable to-go boxes, biodegradable corn based to-go containers, compostable to-go cups, and reusable mugs are available to students. Tray-less dining results in significant water savings and 25-30% reduction in food waste. Several locally sourced products include hormone-free milk from a local dairy. Vegetarian and vegan options are available daily. Throughout the year, “Farm to Fork� lunches are held that showcase menu items made with locally sourced ingredients.
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Eco-Eats
Eco-Eats
On Campus Options KRISHNA
Bhakti Yoga Club Vegetarian Lunch: Hare Krishna offers a vegetarian and vegan buffet using local ingredients every Monday through Friday from 11am to 2pm on the first floor of the Center for Global Engagement. http://studentgroups.fsu.edu/ organization/thebhaktiyogaclub/about MAKE THE GREEN CHOICE
Eating on campus reduces transportation.
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Resources Some helpful resources for exploring local farms, markets, and restaurants near Tallahassee:
Eco-Eats
Eco-Eats
Green Food Tallahassee: local food blog. http://www.greenfoodtallahassee.com/ Local Harvest: information about area farms & markets. http://www.localharvest.org/ Sustainable Tallahassee Local Food Resource: http://sustainabletallahassee.org/localfood Veg Guide: a guide to vegetarian and vegan restaurants. http://www.vegguide.org/region/229 Happy Cow: a guide to vegetarian and vegan restaurants. http://www.happycow.net/north_america/usa/florida/ tallahassee/ Tallahassee Food Truck Association: http://www.facebook.com/TallyFTA Red Hills Online Market: Tallahassee’s small farm cooperative & online farmer’s market http://www.localfoodmarketplace.com/redhills/
Tip: If you are interested in where a local restaurant’s food comes from – don’t be afraid to ask!
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Academics
Academics
Programs & Other Opportunities Many majors and minors related to sustainability are available at FSU, including Environmental Science (BA & BS), Environmental Studies Geography, Environmental Engineering, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, etc.
Global Pathways Certificate:
Students may elect to work towards a Global Pathways Certificate in Environmental Sustainability. http://global.fsu.edu/students/certificate/certificate.htm
Garnet and Gold Scholar Society:
This program facilitates involvement and recognizes the engaged, well-rounded undergraduate student who excels within and beyond the classroom in the areas of Leadership, Internship, Service, International, and Research. An undergraduate student who meets the criteria in three of the five areas and completes a Synthesis Reflection will qualify to graduate as a member of the Garnet and Gold Scholars Society. http://garnetandgoldscholar.fsu.edu
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Looking for more ways to get involved in sustainability and global issues on FSU campus and around Tallahassee? There are over 600 Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus, many of which support sustainability. Browse RSOs at http://union.fsu.edu/sac/involvement/
ServScript: Through the ServScript Program, you can record your service to the community on your official FSU transcript. Visit http://thecenter.fsu.edu/ServScript-Program
Get Involved
Get Involved
The Office of Student Sustainability is a student bureau under Student Government Association (SGA) that serves as an umbrella organization to all the sustainability groups and organizations across campus.
Programs offered through Sustainable Campus: http://sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/
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Get Involved
Get Involved Garnet & Gold Goes Green (G4) G4 provides fans the opportunity to recycle their beverage containers with the intention of decreasing the large amounts of waste and litter generated during home football games and large campus events. Email recycling@fsu.edu to get involved! Chuck it for Charity “Chuck it” is a program through FSU Sustainable Campus and Housing & Residence Life that collects all the “stuff” that is usually thrown out during student move-out. All of the material is weighed, sorted and redistributed to the Tallahassee community through local charities.
Take Back the Tap TBTT encourages the FSU community to end purchasing of single-use plastic water bottles in favor of reusable bottles. https://www.facebook.com/ takebackthetapfsu
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Eco-Reps Student ambassadors charged with increasing sustainable behaviors on campus through peer-to-peer outreach and leadership. This program partners with IRHC to develop student leadership and residence hall programming.
Get Involved
Get Involved
The Seminole Organic Garden The garden is a place on campus for students to learn about and grow their own food. Garden beds are available for student organizations to rent to experience growing their own food. Volunteers are encouraged to come to our workdays as we continue to plant trees, shrubs, construct garden beds, perform other garden maintenance activities, and learn about the garden. Food Recovery Network FRN fights food waste and hunger by recovering extra perishable items from our campus and the surrounding community that would otherwise go to waste, and donating it to people in need.
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Eco-Friendly Leisure
Eco-Friendly Leisure EVENTS Calendar & List of Events around Town http://www.visittallahassee.com/events/
FSU Lectures http://lectures.fsu.edu/
The Outdoors Local Parks, State Parks, National Forests, & Local Trails
FSU Reservation
FSU’s lakefront park‌ everything here is free for students, including canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, disc golf, and more!
3226 Flastacowo Road (about 4 miles from campus)
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850.644.2449 http://campusrec.fsu.edu/reservation/
More Trails
Florida East Panhandle Trails http://dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/ panhandleeast/panhandle_east.htm Florida National Forests http://fs.usda.gov/florida Florida State Parks http://floridastateparks.org/findapark/ district-northwest.cfm
Eco-Friendly Leisure
Eco-Friendly Leisure
Leon County Parks & Recreation Parks & Trails http://leoncountyfl.gov/PARKS/park_index.asp Tallahassee Parks & Trails http://talgov.com/parks/parks.cfm
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Notes