Check
it
out!
Making sustainable choices are beneficial not only to the nature lover,
but to people of all interests. Anyone can see from the media and even
personal observation that people continue to suffer from famine, that water,
food, land and air are continuously being contaminated and degraded, and
that the list of endangered plant and animal species continues to grow.
By making it a personal challenge to try and fulfill some of these tips
and share ideas with your friends, you will help reduce your negative impact
globally.
You don’t need to make a full lifestyle change, these tips range from
beginner to advanced sustainability practices, so you can do you! Enjoy the
B.U. Be Green sustainable living guide.
I - Courtesy of R.Millar
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Consumption ………………………………………………………………………………………..2
Recreation……………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Food……………………………………………………………………………………………………....4
Transportation……………………………………………………………………………………….5
Cleaning………………………………………………………………………………………………...6
Energy…………………………………………………………………………………………………....7
Water……………………………………………………………………………………………………..8
Waste……………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
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Consumption
The way we choose to consume effects every aspect of our lifestyles. Being a smart
consumer makes attaining a sustainable lifestyle simple. Taking note of the necessity,
quantity, content and manufacturing location of products will allow you to make
informed choices to reduce waste, globalization, habitat destruction, greenhouse gas
emissions, and promote human rights, local development and self-dependence.
 See if you can rent or borrow an item from a friend or neighbor.
 See if you can repair broken objects by yourself or with help before replacing
them.
 Think quality not quantity. Purchase durable products and keep them well
maintained.
 Donate your unwanted goods instead of throwing them away.
 Second hand stores aren’t only for tailgating costumes; various consignment
stores only accept clothes from certain brands. Explore these sites for locations:
o http://www.n49.ca/p/sherbrooke/vintage_clothing/vintage_stores/retailers
o http://www.yelp.ca/search?cflt=vintage&find_loc=Sherbrooke%2C+QC
o Check the BU Calendar for rummage and garage sales. Fill a garbage bag
full of goodies for $5!
 Get all your needs at the “Groups at Bishops University” facebook page: Clothing
Exchange, Text Book Exchange, and Furniture Swap. Get a great deal and help
out a fellow Gaiter.
o http://www.facebook.com/groups/groupsatbishops/
 Get creative and reuse old items for another purpose. Ex. Turn an old T-shirt into
a shopping bag, use holey clothes for cleaning rags
o http://www.thingsforboys.com/2012/01/t-shirt-shopping-bag.html
Check out the link to get the instructions.
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/11/101-green-handmade-gifttutorials/
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Recreation
Sustainable recreation includes activities that promote local businesses, respect the
environment and don’t depend on non-renewable resources. Staying active and social
maintains one’s health and well-being, whilst discovering the scenic and quirky Eastern
Townships and its people.
 Join the many clubs on campus. Ex. The International Students Association goes
on many weekend trips all around Quebec and is open to any student!
 Check out the BU calendar of events for art shows, sports games and much
more.
 Pack a picnic and explore the river coasts or Lennoxville’s many parks.
 Bike, bus or carpool to Sherbrooke for the day or night! There are many concerts,
festivals, markets and shops to be discovered!
o http://www.easterntownships.org/event?month=
o http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/events-directory/festival-specialevent/?langue=en&typerecherche=EVENEMENTS&seoregion=Quebec&se
olabel=Festival+/+special+event&cat1=409332&seolevel=CAT&filtreRegi
on=3424
 Check out Tierra del Fuego for some community gardening, yoga, Settlers of
Catan, etc…
o http://www.facebook.com/tierradelfuego.lennoxville?fref=ts
 Explore the 100’s of km’s of Eastern Township trails by foot, bike, snowshoes and
skis.
o http://www.easterntownships.org/guide
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Food
Examine your food foot print and try to choose products that are the least resource
intensive. One can…reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation by
purchasing local products; save water by purchasing more fruits and vegetables rather
than meat; and reduce the need of pesticides and additives by buying organic and free
range products.
 Attend free community dinners to promote food sharing and a sense of
community. (Check out the BUSD Calendar to see when and where)
 Shop at small grocers to develop the local economy.
o Racine Santé (Lennoxville across from the SAQ) http://www.racinesante.ca/
o 5ieme Saison (Sherbrooke, across from the main bus station parking lot)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marché-5eme-saison/169438396424517
o Marché de Solidarité, an initiative by Les Amis de la Terre.
http://www.atestrie.com/contact.aspx
III- Courtesy of T. Comeau
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Courtesy of T. Comeau
 Promote local farmers within 50km of Bishop’s at the Lennoxville Farmers
Market. http://www.facebook.com/amalennox?fref=ts
 Grow your own food. Have no space? Anyone can join these community
gardens: Bishop’s University garden, Tierra del Fuego garden, Oxford garden.
 Re-use food scraps to grow with no seeds, and use old cans as planters. Ex.
Onion roots, end of the lettuce, garlic, potatoes.
http://blackthumbgardener.com/1-plants-you-grow-from-kitchen-scraps/
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Transportation
With the right resources and attitude you’ll make it from East coast to West coast in a
breeze without your own car. Using gas powered modes of transportation release high
amounts of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfurs in the air causing smog and
acid rain. Limit your use when possible.
 Have some fun and bike, walk, roller blade, skateboard and even raft. Rent a
bike at Patterson with Gaiter Gears.
 Save gas and time by completing your errands all at one time.
 Explore Sherbrooke by using the city bus. Use Transdev Limocar buses to get
around Quebec, and subscribe to ViaRail.com to get notices of super cheap
train deals!
 Use one of the many carpooling websites available to get around Quebec and
Canada!
o Bishop’s Carpool: http://www.facebook.com/groups/331332696880814/
o AmigoExpress/ Kangaride.com: http://www.kangaride.com/
o Kijiji.ca: http://sherbrooke.kijiji.ca/f-communaute-covoiturageW0QQCatIdZ5
V- Courtesy of M. Martin
IV- Courtesy of S. Rossignol
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Cleaning
Keep even a home like Animal House clean with
these cheap and easy tricks. Sustainable cleaning
reduces waste by using materials found around
the house, limits the amount of harmful chemicals
put into our water sources, and are better for your
health and well-being.
 Use newspaper to clean mirrors and
windows, they are the best for leaving no
streaks!
 Don’t purchase dryer sheets; they’re full
of chemicals and fragrances that are
harmful to the environment and yourself.
Use tennis balls or vinegar in the wash
cycle to prevent static.
o http://www.healthycastles.com/2012/03/21/homema
de-all-natural-dryer-sheet-alternatives/
o
http://www.ourhomemadehappiness.com/2012/03/h
omemade-fabric-softener.html
VI- Courtesy of R.Millar
 Use collected grey water for cleaning and
gardening.
 Re-use: bottles for homemade products,
clothes for rags, plastic onion bags for a
scrubby.
 With proper ventilation and house plants
you can breathe fresh clean air.
 Make your own cleaning products: scents of
bleach and lemon are associated with
cleanliness; however they contain highly
toxic substances. Check out these recipes
for cheaper, safer products made from
everyday kitchen fixins’.
o http://www.davidsuzuki.org/publications/
downloads/2011/QueenOfGreen-Greencleaning-recipes.pdf
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Energy
VII - Courtesy of R.Millar
As students renting homes or living in residence we don’t usually have control of
what type of energy sources we use (gas, coal, renewable). Making an effort to
limit your dependency on energy will cut costs and reduce harmful greenhouse
gas emissions from non-renewable energy sources.
 Turn your lights off, computers and monitors.
 Unplug electronics to avoid electrical ‘leakage’, make it easier by using a
power bar. Standby mode still uses electricity.
 Hanging dry your clothes maintains the clothing quality, reduces fabric
shrinking and highly reduces your energy. You can reduce up to 723 lbs
of CO2 emissions per year by not using a dryer.
 Wash clothes with cold water according to national geographic, only 10%
of the electricity is used to run the motor while the rest is to heat hot
water!
 Keep your thermostat low and use blankets, sweaters, slippers, carpets
and heat insulating curtains.
o http://www.appropedia.org/How_to_make_awesome_thermal_curtains
 Examine your hydro bill and set goals to reduce your energy
consumption monthly.
o http://www.hydroquebec.com/residential/understanding-your-bill/
 Have black out days. Choose days in the summer where you use no
electricity for 24hrs.
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Water
We are fortunate global citizens to be able
to receive unlimited drinkable, fresh water
straight from the tap. Practicing proper
water saving habits will ensure water is
available to all in times of need, reduce
contamination and will cut your water costs.
 Turn water off when not in use. Ex.
between bathing and rinsing in the
shower or while brushing your
teeth.
 Easily save tons of water by placing
a glass jar (salsa, tomato sauce,
jam,…etc), or wrapped brick in the
back of the toilet, this reduces the
amount of flushing water.
 Leave a jug or britta of water in the
fridge to reduce running the tap
and buying bottled water.
VIII - Courtesy of R.Millar
 Rinse fruits using a bowl of water,
and then use that water for
cleaning.
 Dishwashers when filled fully are
more water efficient then by hand,
but if washing by hand use two
buckets of water to wash and rinse
dishes (go even further and
measure the water you use. If less
than 22.7 L for one load then you’re
more efficient then the dishwasher)
 Note down where you use water
throughout the day. Think of ideas
to reduce your use during each task.
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Waste
Click the link for the full page.
http://visual.ly/composting
Reducing and managing your waste properly will conserve natural resources, maintain
a healthy, sanitary environment, and extends the life of disposal facilities.
 Purchase products with low amounts of packaging
 Get creative and turn packaging and recyclables into useables.
o http://earth911.com/news/2012/06/06/reuse-it-safely-food-packaging/
 See your garbage shrink from a smelly garbage bag to a small grocery bag by
using compost, and recycling!
o http://www.ville.sherbrooke.qc.ca/en/sous-site/environment/
 On campus and want to compost? Then rent a bin! Ask your RA for more info.
 Dispose of toxic products properly at a Sherbrooke Ecocentre instead of
untreated down the sink. Use the battery and ink cartridge drop off centers
located in the ITS Help Center, S.U.B and in Lennoxville Town Hall.
 Identify areas where you produce the most waste and make a goal to reduce
them.
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Simply by taking a peek at these suggestions aids in promoting a respectful
attitude towards our environment.
If you have any other questions, comments or ideas feel free to contact
Angela at SDSI@Ubishops.ca, or stop in at the Sustainable Development Office in the
bottom of the S.U.B.
IX- Courtesy of R. Millar
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