Tips from a Sustainable Senior Learn from experience! Check out these ideas for more sustainable living from students who have been in your shoes.

Sustainable Gaming - Darnell Pelzer, '25

There are many ways to game sustainably but one of the easiest involves what you do when the game is over. Despite appearances, most consoles and their accessories, like headsets and controllers, use power even after being turned off. The simplest solution is to unplug your device whenever it's not in use or is fully charged, which may prevent unnecessary battery degradation from overcharging. Other solutions come in enabling whichever energy-saving settings your gaming devices include. These might include sleep modes, a complete power-down option (especially if you plan to unplug it afterwards), lowering the brightness or graphics, and anything else included in the battery settings. Use your settings to avoid scenarios where, in the exhaustion of daily life, you forget to shut your devices off and leave them to run at full power for extended periods. If not for the planet, you can at least appreciate how much it could save your electric bill! And be sure not to forget your controller! If you will be setting it down to watch or listen to any form of video, it'd be best to turn it off and turn it on when it's needed. It also would be wise to consider using other devices for streaming. Consoles often aren't efficient in their power use for such activities due to being optimized for high-speed gaming and not so much for listening to the latest soap operas. NRDC states current consoles use about 10 to 25 times the power an Apple TV or Amazon Fire Stick does to stream the same shows.
But even with all these precautions, everything wears down eventually. Whether that be from age, an unfortunate spill of water, or gamer rage, your devices will stop working and need replacements. But haphazardly throwing them in the trash is the last thing you should do. Annually, there have been increasing cases of 20-50 million tons of electronic waste, or e-waste, filling landfills globally. These complex devices, often filled with toxic metals and chemicals all wrapped in plastic for your entertainment, can contribute significantly to the pollution of the environment. This includes batteries as well for wireless devices. So, before it goes in the bin, you should consider disposal, replacement, and longevity. For disposal, find e-waste disposal or recycling sites in your area. There are several sites on campus such as down the left hallway when entering Early-Fielding near The Exchange. There you are also free to donate the item for reuse if you simply don't have a place for it. For replacement, you can look at reusing a donated or sold secondhand device, likely for a lower cost. But if you're looking for new, longevity is your highest concern. Rechargeable controllers and batteries will limit the need to use and purchase disposable devices destined to become unusable waste sooner rather than later. By properly following the charging instructions to avoid overcharging your batteries, alongside maximizing power efficiency, you can use the same device for years without contributing to e-waste.

Sustainable Laundry - Darnell Pelzer, 25'

When it comes to chores, probably none consumes as much electricity as laundry. If we want to reduce this amount, let's consider this step-by-step. The first step is not doing it in the first place. Now this isn't an excuse to strut around in sweaty clothes. It's an acknowledgement that clothes don't always need to be cleaned after one wear. You can spread out your laundry schedule by only putting certain clothes in the laundry pile after 2-3 wears. Anything that isn't gym clothes, swimsuits, or undergarments can typically be worn at least one more time before they cause people to question your hygiene. Suits, sweaters and jackets can go over 6 wears. Jeans can have 10.
Eventually it will be time to load the washing machine. You should fill it to about three-fourths and be careful to avoid causing damage by overloading it. The detergent, softener, etc. you use to clean this load should be checked to see if it has a "Safer Choice" label from the EPA. This rectangular label tells you that it has been recognized as a product which uses safer chemical ingredients than other cleaning products. You can also try making homemade detergent using various recipes available online if you have vinegar and baking powder. Next, you'll want to use the cold water settings. Unless you're cleaning something with stains, bed bugs, or that's recently been used as a tissue by someone sick, it is found that cold water is as effective as hot water and can reduce as much as 90% of a washing machine's energy cost.
Then there's the real energy sink, dryers. They tend to use around 3,000 watts compared to the average max of washing machines at 1,400 watts per load. This means you'll want to operate your dryer at either the lowest settings possible or not at all to save energy. One method? Use the washing machine again. Many come with a drain and spin setting which can lessen the need of a full-power dryer. Another method is to hang your clothes to air-dry but that is very dependent on the space you live in and the weather. Overall, the best option if using a dryer is to use sensor drying instead of timed drying for better energy efficiency. If combined with frequent cleaning of dryer lint to avoid a safety hazard and improve the airflow, it allows for the dryer to be as effective as possible. Finally, avoid dryer sheets as many have toxic chemicals. Wool dryer balls can serve as a nice alternative.
One last problem for your consideration is one you can't even see: microfibers. Shed from synthetic clothing, these mini plastic particles thinner than your hair contribute to ocean and food pollution. They can carry chemical pollutants which can contaminate animals and crops, often leading to a decrease in health. Its specific impact on humans has yet to be fully understood but it has proven to negatively impact sea life across the globe. Recommendations to prevent further than necessary microfiber pollution if cleaning synthetic materials is to invest in front-loading machines which use less water and shake less and to use liquid detergent and fabric softener to reduce friction. There are also specific microfiber filter products you can buy to use or install. External filters can be attached to your machine and laundry balls and garment bags are also options. However, installed filters tend to be the most effective.
But to summarize what's relevant for those using University laundry machines:
1) Use Safer Choice or similarly greener detergent in containers which can be reused or refilled, otherwise consider trying to make your own detergent. Also pay attention to packaging. The less plastic the better!
2) Use cold water settings for the washer unless needed for stained or contaminated clothing.
3) Most likely you won't have enough time for an additional drain cycle so try to decrease high-power dryer use by limiting how frequently you do laundry. Wear durable, non-sweaty clothes for more than one wear and fill up your machine to at least three-quarters.
4) If cleaning synthetics, consider buying a microfiber filter bag. There are microfiber filter balls as well, but they are considered not as effective. Then use liquid detergent to not have as much fiber-shredding friction as powder causes

Sustainable Food - Darnell Pelzer, '25

Everyone loves a good meal but how can you have a meal that's good for you, your friends, your salivating dog, and the environment? Every day, 8 billion people do their best to chow down on a few pounds of food a day, but what are the consequences of how we manage this necessity for survival? The first comes from what isn't eaten. As much as 30% of the food produced in the world becomes food waste and these discarded meals produces greenhouse gasses while they rot in landfills. So much so that the World Wildlife Fund claims if it were to be a country, rotten food "would be the 3rd largest [emitter] of greenhouse gasses after China and the USA." The next consequence stems from our purchasing habits. Ask anyone who's taken a business or accounting and finance class (and that describes a lot of W&L) and they can tell you that supply always tries to meet demand. So, when there's a 500% increase in the global demand for meat from 1992-2016, that's a lot of livestock that has to be farmed, causing the industry to generate about 15% of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions. This isn't even to mention the issues of overcultivation which spring from it or the heavily debated abuse of land and animals so each feast can be indulged. So then, what can be done so each plate you eat is green-certified?

One easy recommendation, eat less meat. Aside from decreasing meat demand, diversifying your diet tends to be healthier. Often, minimally processed foods are associated with fewer health risks than ultra-processed food like deli meat, cereals, and various dairy. Another easy step? Watch how large your servings are, especially if you know you will not safely store it for later. Inevitably, that oversized portion becomes food waste which only adds up with every half-finished plate. If you do have scraps, make sure to clean your plates into the compost bin. Avoid putting food into unmarked trashcans unless it's genuine trash like an unrecyclable wrapper. All W&L dining venues offer compost bins (alongside bins for recycling and landfill) for disposal of leftover food. And then there's the issue of the container the food is served in. All to-go items used at W&L dining venues and catered events are compostable. Plates, napkins, silverware - it all goes in the compost bins. The plastic-looking cups you pick up from dining venues? Compostable - not recyclable! For other items you might purchase at coop or off campus, identify the type by looking for that iconic arrow triangle, often found near the bottom of bottles or on packaging, and seeing what number is written in the middle. On campus all #1-2 plastics, aluminum, tin, cardboard and paperboard can go in the blue recycling bins. We have mixed recycling, so it' OK to put all recyclable items in the same bin

But what if instead of eating out, you're making your own meals? Well, the last words you should say before grocery shopping is "there's nothing to eat." That's how you wind up with a cart full of snacks and microwavables while the produce you bought last week shrivels on your shelf. Resourceful should be an apt description for any sustainable eater. Have any leftovers that are too small for a full meal? Keep them near the front of the fridge as a reminder to mix them with fresh products within 3-4 days for a delectable stir-fry, casserole, or anything else you want to try from millions of online recipes. It never hurts to have a list of inventory so you can plan your meals before you go shopping so you can have better control of your diet or know when something's two days away from rancid. With good enough planning you could even buy in bulk for cheaper and without waste. At your discretion this could even apply to discounted, imperfect produce that's still safe to eat and would otherwise be wasted. Check the "Best if Used By" date to better judge the food quality alongside a general inspection to best determine whether you're risking an upset stomach.

But these food plans could be weeks down the line and you'd rather not be on a first-name basis with everyone in the store (although it's always nice to show some appreciation!). So, you'll need to learn how to properly store your soon-to-be ingredients. Air-sealed plastic or glass containers are almost always the way to go if you want to preserve anything (but testing's still out for dignity). You'll want to refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours. If still hot, try placing using a shallow pan in the fridge for quick cooling. If you know you won't be able to finish something while it's still fresh, freeze it. You can also store leftovers in the freezer for 2-4 months if it's done within 3-4 days of preparation. Remember to label the container. If you'll be thawing it after taking it out the freezer, either thaw it in the fridge, place it in a plastic bag to place in cold water that's changed every 30 minutes, place it in the microwave followed immediately by cooking, or let it thaw while it's cooking. For thawing or reheating in the microwave, use microwave-safe containers. Anything else, like the plastic containers you used for storage, can lead to health risks.

But now I'm parched, so let's discuss drinks. Reusable bottles are always the way to go. In general, the less packaging you need to dispose of, the better. Then you can fill it with filtered water if you don't trust it straight from the tap. If you're unsure, you're free to ask local water companies for a report. But W&L has plenty of water stations you can use for easy refills. For you posh tea-lovers, strainers or reusable bags can be a substitute for single-use tea bags. Buying loose tea leaves can even eliminate the need for packaging and emphasize to others your superior sense of style and taste.

This last part is for you party people. Unless you're having a quaint house party, there's no escaping the need for disposable plates unless dishwashing is your passion:
1) Buy drinks in large containers so you'll have less packaging.
2) Invite people to bring their own reusable cups.
3) Order compostable or biodegradable plates, utensils, and cups. You can order these for reasonably cheap from our very own W&L Catering Staff (https://wludining.catertrax.com/).
4) Provide recycling and composting bins w/ clear labels so everything doesn't go to a landfill.
If your event has a lot of decorations or other materials you don't plan to use again, consider donating it to The Exchange in Early-Fielding (https://my.wlu.edu/sustainability/sustainability-how-to/how-to-use-the-wandl-exchange). That way others can find a use for it and maybe you too can find something you thought you'd have to order.