GOING GREEN AND SUSTAINABILITY

Unit 6: Sustainable Design

STEM

I. GOING GREEN

a. Choosing to be more environmentally friendly

II. ENERGY AND WATER EFFICIENCY

a. Reducing the amount of fossil fuel energy you use improves the environment and saves utility costs.

i. Lightingii. Equipmentiii. Water

III. LIGHTING

a. Fluorescent Lights - Replace standard incandescent bulbs with fluorescent tubes or compact bulbs

b. Daylight - Take advantage of daylight. When using natural light, you may be able to turn off some of your electric lights

c. Turn off lights - Turn off lights when not in use. If you leave a room, turn the lights off behind you

IV. EQUIPMENT

a. Turn off equipment

b. Turn off computer monitors

c. Use a power strip

d. Unplug chargers and adapters

V. WATER

a. Don’t let water run

b. Fix leaks immediately

c. Lower water heater temperature

VI. REDUCE, RECYCLE, REUSE

WHAT CAN WE DO?

a. Reduce the amount of waste.

b. Recycle items into new products through a manufacturing process.

c. Reuse the product in a different way.

VII. REDUCE

Packaging

a. Compare product packaging

b. Buy loose itemsc. Buy economy

sizesd. Use concentrated

producte. Buy in bulk

VIII. RECYCLE

What Where

a. Paperb. Glassc. Aluminumd. Plastic

e. Curbside Collection

f. Drop-off Centers

g. Buy Back Centers

IX. HOW MANY YEARS TO DISAPPEAR?Disposable Diaper

500-600 yearsCotton Sock

5-6 monthsStyrofoam Cup

1 million years +Glass Bottle

1 million years +Leather Belt

40-50 years

Wooden Block10-20 years

Banana Peel3-4 weeks

Cardboard Box1-2 months

Plastic Bottle1 million years +

Aluminum Can200-500 years

X. REUSE – USING AN ITEM MORE THAN ONCE

a. Consider reusable products.b. Maintain and repair durable products.c. Reuse bags, containers, and other

items.d. Borrow, rent, or share items.e. Sell or donate goods instead of

throwing them out.

XI. SUSTAINABILITY- (THINGS CAN KEEP GOING AND SUSTAIN THEMSELVES INTO THE FUTURE)

a. Sustainability for our planet means it can continue to do what it was designed to do (provide fresh air, clean water, produce food, and allow for a high quality of life)

b. The earth is a system and everything is connected (society, environment, and economy)

c. To live sustainability follow these four care principles:i. Reduce dependence on fossil fuelsii. Reduce dependence of synthetic

chemicals/materialsiii. Reduce destruction of natureiv. Ensure were not stopping people globally from

meeting their needs