Council on Green Efforts at Alfred University

http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2014-5-september-october/green-life/what-can-college-students-do-save-planet?src=1btn&utm_source=greenlife&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter

What Can College Students Do to Save the Planet? Sierra's eco-expert gives fresh tips for the college-bound.

Remember to take one of our reusable bags or basket along when you go shopping: plastic takes approximately 100 years to degrade and in the meantime they clog our waterways and contaminate our earth

Everyone does laundry. Most of us hate it, but it has to be done. There are new washing products being developed that operate at really low temperatures. However, here are some other ideas to make your washing more eco-friendly.

Use the coldest possible water to do your washing.
Only do full loads of washing.
Buy eco-friendly, phosphate free laundry detergent
Dry your clothes outside when it’s good weather.
Dry your clothes indoors when it’s terrible weather (most of the time in Alfred then!)

You’ve probably heard that free-range chickens are kept in much better conditions compared to battery hens or closed-range farmed chickens. However, did you know that the egg produced by free-range chickens is actually much healthier too?

According to Mother Earth News, free range eggs contain:

33% less cholesterol

25% less saturated fat

66% more vitamin A

Two times more omega-3 fatty acids

Three times more vitamin E

Seven times more beta carotene

I’m unsure of the reason why there’s such a difference with free-range eggs. I believe it’s due to the chicken’s being less stressed with their greater freedom. Additionally, the chickens peck and eat insects from the ground, adding to their diet. Perhaps the fact that the chickens have plenty of space to walk around and get exercise too? That could be a reason for the reduced level of fat in the eggs.

You could always rescue some ex-battery hens and have 2-3 in your garden. You’ll have fresh eggs whenever you want them then!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js8nCVFfH4k&feature=youtu.be

Resource Efficiency Program Waste Audit Harlem Shake Students from Harvard's Resource Efficiency Program recently conducted a waste audit of trash from the undergraduate Houses (dorms) and this is what they found.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68viIzoXXgQ

World's Largest Cardboard Box Castle - BYU On March 30, 2013, The BYU EcoResponse Club and BYU Recycling built, then destroyed, the world's new largest cardboard box castle, using 1566 recycled shippi...

Ensure that your refrigerator’s seals are fully functional and don’t leave the refrigerator doors open for too long. Refrigerators turn themselves off when they become cool to save energy, but when the air inside them warms, they switch on.

So if your seals allow warm air to enter your refrigerator, it will stay on and waste a great deal of electricity. Anything else that is meant to maintain a certain temperature while sealed shut also deserves to have its seals checked and it shouldn’t be left open.

Hot Dog Day Fair
Noon-5pm, Main Street in Alfred
Several Earth Week activities are happening in conjunction with Hot Dog Day. Alfred Community Garden will host a table to recruit new gardeners and provide some hands-on seed planting activities for the kids. In addition, tofu dogs will be sold at the Hillel Club stand by the bus stop. Volunteers are also need to help collect recyclables generated by Hot Dog Day. Please sign up to help with recycling collection at goo.gl/u2tWv.

Hot Dog Day Recycling Crew - Google Drive

Join the Upper Genesee chapter of Trout Unlimited to plant trees around D**e Creek in Andover at 8:45 am, at Andover Central School Bring gloves and boots!

The Green Party: Time for Something Entirely Different
Thursday, April 25th at 5-5:50 pm, Alfred Village Hall
Virginia Rasmussen will introduce the Green Party and lead a discussion.

Alfred State Sustainability Club Meeting: Wednesday, April 23rd.
5-6 pm, Physical & Health Sciences Building conference room (Rm 102)
Get involved in sustainability on campus by attending this regularly scheduled meeting of Alfred State’s student Sustainability Club.

Creek Clean Up: Wednesday, April 23rd
4-5:30 pm, footbridge behind Community Bank on Main Street
Join Alfred State’s Outdoor Recreation Club to clean up the small creek that goes through Alfred. Wear waterproof boots and clothes that are okay to get dirty.