Celebrate Summer Sustainability!

As you head into summer break, don’t forget to keep living green! From food to fuel, here are seven tips to help make your summer more sustainable.

#1  OPEN THE WINDOWS

The summer months can be hot, but on the days that it’s bearable, turn off the central air conditioning, throw open the windows and use ceiling fans to keep the house or apartment cool. Running a fan on high can make a room feel five degrees cooler. Not only is it energy efficient, it can help reduce your electric bill for the month!

 #2  PACK FOR A PICNIC

Summer is the perfect time to pack a picnic with friends and family to enjoy the nice weather! A great way to ‘green’ a picnic is purchasing reusable cups, plates and silverware, which will cut down on trash and save money! You can even add a little more green by purchasing products made out of recycled content!

 #3  BUG OFF

Before spraying your backyard or other venues to keep bugs away during your summertime gatherings, consider some natural alternatives. Citronella candles and torches can offer a festive touch, natural lighting and keep bugs at bay.

#4  SUSTAINABLE SUNSCREEN

It’s recommended by health professionals to use a sunscreen when spending a day in the sun. No one enjoys the lobster look or feel and it’s not healthy for your skin! Most sunscreens protect against sun damage but some may be polluting and toxic to water ecosystems. Try Badger Sunscreen, an all-natural sunscreen option that offers protection for your skin and the environment!

#5  MAKE YOUR TRAVELS MORE SUSTAINABLE

When planning for road trips, fun outdoor activities or even a night out on the town this summer, coordinate a carpool with friends and family to reduce the amount of environmental impact cars create. This is a great way to help the environment and save money. Don’t have a car? You can utilize the very reliable CyRide in Ames, or invest in a bike to get you from place to place. More than 10 pounds of carbon is produced from just one gallon of gas, so consider alternative transportation first when roaming around town this summer.

 #6  GO LOCAL

Summertime is the perfect opportunity to enjoy your local farmers’ markets produce. Buying local, fresh produce like sweet corn or watermelon from one of the farmers’ markets helps the local economy and let’s you indulge in some very fresh produce! Check out local farmers’ markets on vacation too. Experiencing new produce that is grown in different areas is both fun and tasty!

 #7  HIT THE LIGHTS

Many homeowners use outdoor lights to illuminate their surroundings at night. Instead of demanding more electricity, consider solar powered lights! Solar  lights collect sunlight all day and convert it to energy to add just the right amount of light at night.  Solar lights are inexpensive and they do not attract the evening insects that traditional lighting does.  You can choose from solar lights for your sidewalks, decks and even driveways, and they are available at most hardware and gardening stores, like Lowe’s.

Celebrating the Earth

Even though Earth Day has passed, find ways to celebrate the earth all month long! There are still many events going on in the community and on campus that promote a sustainable, beautiful world. The following are just a few of the things you can do to celebrate the earth you love.

APRIL 27

Arbor Day

Iowa State University Department of Residence SAVE Ongoing ISU Campus

The Department of Residence and Central Stores collects gently used clothing, furniture and working electronics and unopened, non-perishable food items from students during spring semester move-out. The food items will be donated to either Bethesda or MICA food pantries. The clothing, furniture and electronics will be donated to Goodwill allowing items to be reused and keeping them out of the landfills.

Yard Waste Free Day 8AM-4PM Chamness Technology

Participants may dispose of yard waste, lawn clippings, branches, shrubs or brush

Iowa Naturally Preview Weekend 9AM-4:30PM

Tour the Gardens and enjoy garden inspired sculpture created by artists with Iowa ties. Ten to fifteen sculptures will be nestled in the landscape creating beautiful displays sure to inspire. See something you like? All the sculptures in this juried show will be for sale with a portion benefiting the Gardens.

Arbor Day at the Arboretum 10AM-1PM Story County Arboretum

Join Charity Nebbe, host of Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa, as she plants a tree at the Arboretum. Free trees will be given away during the event. Activities include paper making, wood turning, beekeeping and more. Joan Klostermann-Ketels will be signing her book Personali Trees. Free to the public.

Organic Sale Wheatsfield

Save 10% on certified organic products throughout the store (on items not already on sale, non-members save 5%). In addition, meet with environmentally-minded groups from around the community.

APRIL 28

Iowa State University Department of Residence SAVE Ongoing ISU Campus

The Department of Residence and Central Stores collects gently used clothing, furniture and working electronics and unopened, non-perishable food items from students during spring semester move-out. The food items will be donated to either Bethesda or MICA food pantries. The clothing, furniture and electronics will be donated to Goodwill allowing items to be reused and keeping them out of the landfills.

Iowa Naturally Preview Weekend 9AM-4:30PM

Tour the Gardens and enjoy garden inspired sculpture created by artists with Iowa ties. Ten to fifteen sculptures will be nestled in the landscape creating beautiful displays sure to inspire. See something you like? All the sculptures in this juried show will be for sale with a portion benefiting the Gardens.

APRIL 29

Iowa State University Department of Residence SAVE Ongoing ISU Campus

The Department of Residence and Central Stores collects gently used clothing, furniture and working electronics and unopened, non-perishable food items from students during spring semester move-out. The food items will be donated to either Bethesda or MICA food pantries. The clothing, furniture and electronics will be donated to Goodwill allowing items to be reused and keeping them out of the landfills.

Story County Youth Volunteer Awards 7:00-8:30PM Sun Room and South Ballroom, Memorial Union

Celebrate the young volunteers of Story County at this reception!

APRIL 30

Iowa State University Department of Residence SAVE Ongoing ISU Campus

The Department of Residence and Central Stores collects gently used clothing, furniture and working electronics and unopened, non-perishable food items from students during spring semester move-out. The food items will be donated to either Bethesda or MICA food pantries. The clothing, furniture and electronics will be donated to Goodwill allowing items to be reused and keeping them out of the landfills.

The Green Umbrella Memorial Union Food Court Fundraiser 3:30-7PM Memorial Union

Support the Green Umbrella by purchasing food in the food court! A portion of your purchase will go back to the organization and help create sustainable events on campus!

Green Your Spring Cleaning

Whether it’s your house, apartment or dorm, it’s that time of year when you’re ready to throw open the windows, roll your sleeves up and start cleaning. But as much as we can appreciate the seemingly magical effect cleaners have on dirty spaces, have you ever stopped to wonder, “How do these products so easily turn grime into shine?”

Just as it’s important to look at food labels to really understand what you’re putting into your body, you should also consider seeing what ingredients and chemicals make up your household cleaning products. Even though those products can leave a room sparkling clean, you should be aware of what else you might be exposing yourself to after the work is done.

As an alternative this year, consider making your own cleaning products. You’ll save money and reduce your exposure to harsh chemicals. 

AIR FRESHENERS - BAKING SODA & LEMON
1. Dissolve 1/8 cup of baking soda into 2 cups hot water
2. Add in 1/2 cup lemon juice
3. Fill in spray bottle

OR

1. Cut up peels of fresh lemon
2. Place on top of 1 cup baking soda* in a clean plastic-lidded container
3. Punch holes in lid

*Baking soda is great at absorbing odors, and lemons infuse a fresh citrus aroma into the air





WINDOW & MIRROR CLEANER
1. Put 1/4 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and fill to top with water
2. Spray on surface
3. Rub with a cotton cloth, other lint-free rag, or sheets of newspaper. 





TUB & SINK CLEANER
1. Use baking soda in place of scouring powder
2. Sprinkle on porcelain fixtures and rub with a wet rag
3. Add Castil Soap or Murphy's Oil Soap to the rag for more cleaning power
4. Rinse well to avoid leaving a hazy film






ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
For spots on linoleum, tile, and woodwork:
1. Add a drop of Murphy's Oil Soap on a wet washcloth
2. Rub briskly. A washcloth will last longer and create less waste than a sponge.

Keep Your Dorm Sustainable Over Break!

Are you leaving your dorm room? Whether it’s a weekend mini-vacation or a tropical week-long getaway remember to do a few things to save energy and keep your room sustainable while you’re away!

• ¨   Close and lock your windows. Don’t make your thermostat work in overdrive while you’re gone, even if you think the weather might be nice while you’re away.
• ¨   Remove the trash from your room and recycle what you can! Don’t have your room smell of whatever you ate last Thursday (those smells can attract vermin)!
• ¨   Unplug everything you can! Remember to unplug your alarm clock (those loud beeping noises might distress your neighbor), your printer, your power strip bars, your desk lights, your coffee maker­­­­­­­­—anything that you won’t be using while you’re away can be unplugged. Remember that even when you aren’t using something, it still uses power.
• ¨   Remember to think about your plants and your pets! Make sure they have enough food and water before you leave.
• ¨   Make sure you look at your building’s thermostat settings before you leave. Most buildings require you to leave the thermostat at a medium heat so pipes don’t freeze.
• ¨   Report any problems, such as leaky faucets, to maintenance so they can be taken care of over break . 

Sustaining Your Spring Break - Living the Local Culture

Written by Madi Linkenmeyer

If someone were to take a spring break trip to Ames, you'd probably tell them to try pizza from Jeff's or Black Market, to get coffee from Stomping Grounds or Arcadia, to shop on Main Street or spend an afternoon at Reiman Gardens. You'd want them to have an experience that is unique to Ames.

Why not find local hot spots at your spring break destination? Whether you're on a beach or in the city, make your spring break one of a kind while supporting the local economy.

Your smart phone can be a helpful tool for finding local places to eat, drink, see and do. Here are only a few apps and websites to get started.

• The Foursquare app allows you to search by topics including arts and entertainment, coffee, outdoors and food. The trending tab lists popular places chosen by other Foursquare users. “Check in” with the app, and you’ll find specials like a free drink or 10 percent off a purchase.

• The best feature about Yahoo! Local is that it provides you with maps and driving directions to your destination. You can search nearby locations, get reviews from other Yahoo! users and call businesses directly from the app.

• Local businesses often use Groupon to attract out-of-town customers. You’ll pay upfront for the coupon, but can find discounts for more than 50 percent off. Buying and redeeming deals directly from your phone makes the app very user-friendly and very convenient. 

•  If you’re just looking for a local place to eat, Urbanspoon will randomly suggest restaurants near your location. You can filter your search based off of price and cuisine, read peoples’ reviews and even make reservations. 

• Most cities will have a website or app listing local businesses. For example, the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau site lists most local Ames’ businesses with a phone number, website, map and a short description.

• No one knows better than a local. If you’re short a smart phone or computer, don’t be afraid to ask someone who lives where you’re visiting. They’ve probably tried it all and know exactly where to point you. 

Sustaining Your Spring Break

In a week, a lot of us will be heading to the coasts or to slopes outside of the flat Iowa terrain we know and love.

While it’ll be quite easy to leave school and the daily work grind behind us as we reach our destinations, don’t forget to have a sustainable spring break.

Whether you’ll be staying at Motel 6 or the Marriott, keep in mind what kind of foot print you’re leaving, and do a mental check list every time you leave the room:

• Shut the lights off – there’s no need to consume energy if you’re not there to enjoy it.

• Dial it down – turn down or turn off your AC while out and about. If you’re headed to a colder climate, drop the thermostat a few degrees while you’re not around.

• A twist on transportation – research to see if you can rent a bike to sight see. Or, check on local transportation options. A lot of hotels offer a free shuttle service, and bigger cities boast very efficient public transportation options.

There are green things you can do while at your hotel as well. Avoid the towel two-a-day by reusing your towels. This helps the hotel be more efficient and conserve more energy.

Inquire about recycling. The front desk should be able to tell you what options there are for recycling. Take this a step further and bring a reusable water bottle or coffee mug with you. You’ll consume less plastic and save more money by going the reusable route. 

Let spring break be a time of relaxation and rejuvenation to carry you through the rest of the semester, but don't skip a beat on living sustainably with your spring break footprint. 

Sustainapalooza

The Green Umbrella has been working very hard these past few months to put together a fabulous event, Sustainapalooza. It showcases and celebrates the great sustainable efforts and projects around Iowa State University; presents a lecture and symposium sessions on how concern for the environment is world wide; and finally offers hands-on, interactive Green It Yourself Centers that have tangible, take-home ways to protect the planet we live on.

Sustainapalooza will let you relax and enjoy yourself amongst great food, friendly people, and some information you may have not known before. It will teach you something you didn’t know you found interesting. But most importantly, it will leave you with a lasting idea of “I have the power to improve my home, my planet, and me”.

Take some time today to explore what our event is all about. It will leave you with a feeling of empowerment, and a zest for protecting the ground upon which you and your neighbor walk.  

-Alex Gustafson, The Green Umbrella Co-President