WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
“Development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”
~ Bruntland report for the World Commission
on Environment and Development (1992)
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we
borrow it from our children."
~Native American Proverb
WHAT IS WESLEYAN DOING TO BECOME
MORE SUSTAINABLE?
Administration:
 Sustainability Committee – recycling, conservation,
economy, education, outreach
 Environmental Health and Safety Committee –
chemical hygiene, waste management, compliance,
safety
 Arboretum Committee – restoration, conservation,
development, management, education, outreach
Waste Management/Reduction:
WHAT AREAS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY MUST
ULTIMATELY BECOME SUSTAINABLE?
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energy use for heating, lighting, transportation
agriculture and procurement of food supplies
conducting business and commerce
resource harvesting, replenishment, restoration
production, processing, and diposal of wastes
 GFIC/EPA peer audit – audit, correction, compliance
 DOT/EPA/OSHA – training, certification, compliance
 chemical hygiene – best practices, planning, training,
monitoring, documentation
 Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator –
minimization of waste generated
 Environmental Management System – comprehensive
campus plan
Recycling:
WHAT IS MY CARBON FOOTPRINT?
Your carbon footprint is the overall environmental
impact of living, studying, working, playing and
traveling, expressed as the total amount of carbon
dioxide waste that you generate directly and
indirectly through these activities.
WHY IS THERE A SASQUATCH ON THE
COVER OF THIS BROCHURE?
A “carbon bigfoot” is someone who is unable or
unwilling to “rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle,
restore” to live more sustainably. Are you one?
WHO ARE THE CREATURES OF HABIT?
The Creatures of Habit are a collection of ten
friendly characters who focus sustainability
initiatives, practices, and education at Wesleyan
and in the surrounding central Georgia community.
They were created in 2012 by and for the Wesleyan
community through a student/faculty collaboration.
 paper and cardboard – collection and recycling
 metal and plastic containers – collection and recycling
 universal waste – collection and recycling of
fluorescents, batteries, aerosols, e-waste
 landscaping, food service, equestrian waste –
composting and diversion
Resource Conservation/Carbon Neutrality:
 conservation - HVAC modernization, thermostat
policies, bulb and faucet audits and replacement,
LEED certified renovation and construction
 carbon neutrality - American College and University
Presidents’ Climate Commitment signatory,
GFC/UFORE carbon sequestration audit,
campus tree replacement policy
Education/Awareness/Outreach:
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Student Life
Wesleyan College Arboretum
First Year WISe Program
Environmental Studies Program
Environmental Concerns Committee
Creatures of Habit
Wesleyan Market
HOW CAN I LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY?
Each of these practices not only decreases your use of resources,
but also saves money! Set a goal for yourself or your family of
adopting and maintaining just one new practice every month.
Lights:
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Use compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs
Use lower wattage bulbs
Turn off the lights when you leave a room
Use solar or low-voltage lighting outdoors
Heat & AC:
 Turn your thermostat up in summer and down in winter
 Use ceiling fans, extra clothing layers, and windows to
stay comfortable
General Power Use:
 Use the stairs for going up/down one or two flights
 Insulate your hot water tank or replace it with an
on-demand system
 Unplug your mobile device charger when not in use
 Put your computer in stand-by mode when idle.
Turn it off when you go to sleep
Water:
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Install low-flow and low-volume water fixtures
Run the washer, dryer, and dishwasher with full loads
Shorten your shower time by 10%
Collect roof/gutter runoff for watering plants
Paper:
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Print only when you need a hard copy
Use paper with at least 30% recycled content
Print on lighter weight paper, e.g. 20# not 24#
Print drafts and handouts on both sides of the paper
Recycle all school/office/correspondence paper
Transportation:
 Share rides, take the bus, walk, or ride a bike instead
of driving by yourself
 Plan your driving to reduce the number of trips
Food & Shopping:
 Buy eco-friendly, local produce and products
 Take reusable canvas or natural fiber bags to the store
 Buy products in bulk or with minimal packaging
Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Restore!
HOW CAN I ESTIMATE MY
CARBON FOOTPRINT?
WHAT OTHER RESOURCES ARE
AVAILABLE TO HELP ME LIVE
MORE SUSTAINABLY?
Online Carbon Footprint Calculators:
Information about Sustainability:
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissio
ns/ind-calculator.html
The Nature Conservancy
http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalcu
lator/index.htm
Cool Climate Network
http://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/
Global Footprint Network
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/
GFN/page/calculators/
terrapass
http://www.terrapass.com/individualsfamilies/carbon-footprint-calculator/
PG&E (Pacific Gas and Electric)
http://www.pge.com/myhome/environment/cal
culator/
HOW CAN WESLEYAN HELP ME
REDUCE MY CARBON FOOTPRINT?
The Wesleyan Market takes place on the second
Saturday of every month. It features a wide variety
of locally grown foods and locally manufactured
products, as well as information booths about
conservation, recycling and related sustainable
practices.
The Wesleyan College Sustainability Committee
sponsors sustainability awareness, education and
initiatives for both the College and the surrounding
central Georgia community..
The Wesleyan College Arboretum is open to the
public seven days a week during daylight hours.
Treat your family and friends to a walk along our
two miles of trails and share a simple, natural
experience right here in the heart of Macon. You
can help maintain this 100-acre carbon-sequestering
gem by participating in the Friends of the Arboretum
or the AGATE program for native plant restoration.
http://pierce.wesleyancollege.edu/faculty/arboretum
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
http://www.gasustainability.org/
THE
WESLEYAN COLLEGE
QUICK GUIDE TO
SUSTAINABILITY
UGA Office of Sustainability
http://sustainability.uga.edu
Georgia Public Broadcasting
http://www.gpb.org/go-green
AC&U Presidents’ Climate Commitment
http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/
Energy and Water Conservation Tips:
Georgia Power
http://www.georgiapower.com/residential/save
-money-energy/home.cshtml
Conserve Water Georgia
http://www.conservewatergeorgia.net/
Macon Water Authority
http://www.maconwater.org/wise-water-use
Recycling in Central Georgia:
City of Macon Recycling Program
http://www.cityofmacon.net/citydeptpublicworks-div-recycle
Bibb County Recycling Program
http://www.bibbchamber.org/index1_recycle.html
Schnitzer Southwest/The Scrap Market
Household and Scrap Recycling
http://www.thescrapmarket.com/residentialdrop-off.html
Revised August 10, 2013
Wesleyan College
printed on 100% recycled paper