Ways to Save Money Through Sustainability Measures

Here are 10 easy steps that you can take in your every day work at Lane to help the college save money, save energy, and reduce the amount of garbage we are sending to the landfill. If you would like assistance with implementing any of these measures, please feel free to contact any member of the sustainability team. Our contact information is provided in the Contact Us link on the left.

SAVE ENERGY
Lane spends about $1,000,000 per year on energy. Much of this energy can be reduced and money saved if we all take a few simple steps:

• Minimize the number of individual appliances and electronics you have in your office, like mini fridges, coffee makers, and printers. Use breakroom refrigerators and coffee makers and networked office-wide printers. 
• Turn off your lights, speakers, monitors, and other office equipment when they are not being used - especially before you go home for the day.
• Before turning on lights in an office, classroom, or conference room, consider whether they are needed or whether enough light is coming in through windows.
• Use compact fluorescent lights in all task lamps.
• Install timers or motion sensors on items that you are forgetting to turn off. Contact Lane's Energy Analyst, Anna Scott, at ext. 5805 for information on purchasing and using timers and motion sensors.

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE!
Handling material by recycling is a lot more cost effective for the college than handling it as garbage. Not purchasing the material in the first place is even more cost effective.

• Please recycle all appropriate materials including paper, cans and bottles.
• Food waste should be recycled by placing it in the composting bins in the cafeteria.
• Minimize the number of things that you print and always print double-sided. Printers that don't currently print double-sided can be outfitted with duplexers.
• Check out surplus property by contacting Lane's Recycling Coordinator, Mike Sims, at ext. 5569 before purchasing new furnishings or supplies.
• Bring your own mug when purchasing beverages in the cafeteria.
  

Green Purchasing Initiative

One way that you can make a big difference with small changes is by thinking green when you make purchases. Here are some quick and easy suggestions that you can implement today.

Reduce

• Share a printer. Don’t purchase desk top printers. Print double-sided.
• Use rechargable batteries.

Reuse

• Use Surplus Property.
• Repurpose equipment from low/no use areas.

Think Green

• Use post-consumer recycled content copy paper from P&G [COPPS Policy].
• Purchase goods made from wood or metal.
• Buy electronics with the Energy Star label [Draft policy at College Council].
• Use timers on printers and coffeemakers.
• Purchase only low-odor markers for whiteboards.