RAD Sustainability

CHECK IN

Online Applications

Housing applications have been online since Fall 2008 check-in to reduce paper. We are continuing to reduce paper use during this process by increasing materials and communication that are accessible online.

What to Bring

The key to less waste is less stuff! Students moving in are encouraged to purchase items that can be shared (i.e. microwaves, toasters, cleaning supplies) after meeting their roommates and determining what they can get together. Our ‘What to Bring to Evergreen’ letter has several suggestions for purchasing eco-friendly products. In addition, the Greener Organization has collected mini-fridges and microwaves from past residents that are available for incoming residents to rent.

Recycling Tutorials

In the fall, Residential and Dining Services student staff will be available to help new students checking in to recycle packing materials. Many shipping service locations will accept clean packing peanuts and bubble wrap for reuse. There will be dumpsters on campus designated for the recycling of your Styrofoam products. In addition, there is a nearby facility that will accept the #6 molded Styrofoam packaging often used for transporting electronics and other fragile equipment.

Recycling Bags

Instead of trash cans, each campus resident receives a recycling bag for their room upon check-in. These sturdy bags, made of recycled tarps, feature sustainability tips, info on how to recycle in the housing area, and have an extra slot for keeping clean paper separate from other, potentially messier, recycled goods. The bags are essentially waterproof, and have a loop at the bottom so they can be hung upside down to dry after being washed out.

Sustainability Options Information during Check-In

Each fall, Sustainability Interns and RAD Staff greet residents with tips and resources for incorporating sustainability into their lifestyle. Each campus apartment will receive a compost bucket for their kitchen food scraps, and residents of the dorms will also have the opportunity of requesting a bucket. RAs will provide resources on green cleaning and more during initial meetings, and will continue to serve as sustainability resources throughout the year. Check the Orientation Week schedule for sessions focused on campus sustainability, alternative transportation options, and tours of campus gardens and the Organic Farm.

CHECK OUT

In 2006, RAD organized our first sustainable check-out system to collect and donate usable items, which had previously been discarded, to ten non-profit organizations who target needy individuals and families. Large storage containers (called PODS) are placed around residence halls to collect the goods. In its first year, 7,680 cubic feet of useable donations, 18 one-hundred gallon bags of useable clothing, and 30 larger items (i.e. couches, tables, mattresses) were collected during the campaign, which spanned May 30-June 30. In 2010, the PODs program donated household items, hygiene supplies, clothing, toys, furniture, small appliances and  non-perishable food to over a dozen local organizations, and provided electronic waste and battery recycling. Throughout check-out, RAD staff are available to help residents find alternatives to the landfill for unwanted items.

As of 2014, RAD is working with The Arc of Washington State to have collection locations around campus prior to checkout to collect clothes, housewares, and other usable materials. The goal is to make it easy for students to donate items of value to a quality non-profit organization, and keep those items out of the waste stream. RAD sustainability will work with the RAs to make sure that this years check out will be the greenest year yet, with minimal reusable or recyclable materials ending up in the landfill.