University of Oregon

Greeks Go Green

UO Greeks Go Green

2017-2018

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What is Greeks Go Green?

Greeks Go Green is a partnership between Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Chapters, the UO

Student Sustainability Center, and the UO Zero Waste Program. This partnership seeks to

develop sustainability initiatives and leadership throughout FSL. Greeks Go Green utilizes

monthly Green Chair meetings to introduce new sustainability opportunities, share and learn best

practices between Chapters, and offer opportunities of collaboration and support.

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The Importance of Chapters

As Fraternity and Sorority Life make up over 16% of the undergraduate population at the UO,

this community is a critical part of modeling campus sustainability. With vibrant communities of

this size, and as campus leaders, there is an opportunity to make a major impact within the

chapters and on campus. The scale of the chapter size makes a large impact, every simple

practice adopted by many chapters, has a big impact. By building on established leadership,

Greeks Go Green encourages new sustainable practices and helps foster collaboration between

Chapters.

Preserve Natural

Resources

Conserve Energy Reduce Use of

Landfills

Reduce Pollution

Be a Responsible

Community Member

Improve

Human Health

Create Jobs Save Money

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How To Achieve Sustainability

Innovations at the House Level: Greeks Go Green works with the chapter Green Chairs to

develop sustainability initiatives and support each Chapter in their efforts. Chapters have a great

variety of avenues to pursue sustainability.

Suggestions & Best Practices:

Implement an elected Green Chair position (See more details on Pg. 5)

Install water refill stations in the house

Ensure all house members have reusable water bottles & tote bags

Make use of reusable silverware, plates & cups to prevent disposables waste

Undergo a house energy audit, seal all leaks, & practice winterization

Bring in an expert for a water seal and piping audit to ensure no water is wasted

Use non-hazardous cleaners

Participate as a house in sustainability events on campus – such as speakers, presentations,

and Earth Week events

Engage in community clean ups with the neighborhood association and on University Day

Find the sustainable practices most applicable for your chapter and innovate new practices

Hold chapter meetings as a ‘Sweater Party’ and turn down the heat

Try a “thrifting day”, for all members to buy second-hand clothes as a group

Begin a competition for all members to walk or bicycle to classes

Research efficient designs in house renovations

Consider Bulk Purchasing to reduce packaging waste

Encourage carpooling to group events rather than using individual vehicles

Host sustainability presentations and speakers to chapter meetings

Share sustainability best practices with national organizations

Learn about Zero Waste and Waste Prevention (Pg. 7)

Take The Zero Waste Pledge (Pg. 8 & 9)

Plan ahead for all chapter events to be Green Event Certified (Pg.6)

Look into Zero Waste & Waste diversion practices (Pg. 10)

Encourage giving through year-around or Move-Outs, Donation Drive

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Green Chairs

Position Description: The Green Chair is a representative from the chapter that acts as a liaison

between the chapter and UO Greeks Go Green. This position works to increase environmental

awareness and education within the chapter.

Responsibilities & Suggestions:

Act as the primary contact between the chapter and sustainability groups

Attend Green Chair meetings, or send a replacement representative

Offer frequent updates on sustainability information during chapter meetings

Advertise sustainability-related volunteer opportunities to the chapter

Invite participation from members of the chapter

Relay important information from outside groups to the chapter

Pursue sustainability initiatives for the chapter, such as energy audits, waste reduction, &

partnerships with outside organizations

Conduct waste assessments for the chapter, record data, and inform members of results

Work with philanthropy chair to ensure philanthropy events comply with Green Event

Standards (Pg. 6)

Inform the UO Greeks Go Green Coordinator of the dates of the chapter’s philanthropy

events

Fill out the “Green Event Form” (located on the Student Sustainability Center OrgSync)

Have the chapter participate in the Spring Reusables Collection – get permission from

president and (if applicable) the house mom or manager.

Encourage opportunities for education and to bring guest speakers to chapter meetings

Achieve or maintain Zero Waste Pledge for the chapter

Ensure the chapter maintains all Zero Waste practices and renews the Zero Waste Pledge

Encourage members of the chapter to “like” or “follow” UO Greeks Go Green on Facebook,

Instagram, and Twitter

Ensure the chapter receives a UO Greeks Go Green presentation (email

greengreeks@uoregon.edu to setup a presentation)

Make sure the UO Greeks Go Green Coordinator has up-to-date contact information for the

chapter Green Chair, and if applicable, the president, house mom, house manager, and

philanthropy chair

Encourage participation in the Bin-Outfitting Program if it would benefit the chapter. Work

with the UO Zero Waste Program to ensure bin inventory upon annual Pledge Renewal

during Fall Term (the chapter must pay to replace any missing or damaged bins). Ensure that

the chapter president signs the Bin-Outfitting Program contract.

Send chapter highlights, accomplishments, and sustainability-related photos to the UO

Greeks Go Green Coordinator. Accomplishments and photos may be posted on the social

media pages.

Help transition the next Green Chair for the chapter

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Green Events

Host a zero waste philanthropy event! Increase the beneficial aspects of

your philanthropy event by reducing and sorting waste properly.

Green Event Standards:

1. Fill out the “Green Event Form”

(due 2 weeks before a philanthropy event)

This form can be requested and turned in electronically

by emailing zwhouses@uoregon.edu. Turning in the

form will allow the chapter to borrow Zero Waste

Stations and further plan for the event.

2. Use Compostables, Reusables, or Recyclables Ensure that all disposables purchased and used are

compostable or recyclable (for example, compostable

cups, lids, plates, utensils, etc.)

*Outside vendors are exempt, but try to encourage

vendors to follow the Green Event Standards if possible.

3. Plan for the Waste Establish what waste is being generated and tailor the

waste recovery set-up to favor maximum waste

prevention and recovery.

4. Zero Waste Stations

Designate zero waste stations to be the only available system for waste disposal (recycling,

compost, and garbage). There should be no stand-alone garbage cans. Establish as many stations

as needed based on the number of attendees and level and location of waste generation. Enlist

members to act as monitors at each station to help event-goers sort their waste and to reduce

contamination.

5. Reuse Reuse items from previous years if possible, and save reusable items for future events.

6. Purchase in Bulk Reduce packaging waste prior to each event by purchasing items in large quantities.

7. Educate Members Make sure that individuals working the event are educated about the Zero Waste Stations and

about how to make them work. This includes where the material is taken once a bin fills up.

8. Track the Waste and Send Event Pictures Send estimates of compost, recycling, and trash volumes from the event to

zwhouses@uoregon.edu. Also include pictures portraying the Green Event Standards. The

chapter and philanthropy event may be featured on the UO Greeks Go Green social media pages.

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Zero Waste Introduction

What Is Zero Waste?

Zero Waste is the principle that there should be no

waste. This can be achieved! Through careful

purchasing, reuse, recycling, and composting, any

community can significantly cut back on its waste.

Getting to Zero Waste is a goal of turning waste into

resources and creating sustainable practices for

individuals and the community.

What happens to materials that

are recycled?

Recycled material is used as feed stock for new products,

such as paper, glass and plastic bottles, carpeting,

aluminum cans, and much more.

Compostable material becomes valuable, nutrient-rich

soil that is used to grow food and gardens.

What is in your bin?

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Steps to a Zero Waste Pledge

In three easy steps A Chapter Commitment

Chapters Pledge to practice sustainable

initiatives and engage in sustainability

education

Creation of a Green Chair position (see Pg. 5)

Implementing sustainable efficiencies

Practicing waste reduction and diversion

Hold green events (Pg. 6)

1. Recycling Obtain commingled recycling services

Obtain glass recycling services from garbage

hauler

Obtain appropriate recycling bins in house, including in the kitchen, dining room,

common areas, restrooms, and individual rooms

Label bins with what they collect

Educate members about how to effectively recycle by holding a UO Greeks Go Green

Presentation

2. Compost Obtain compost collection

services

Most FSL houses have

commercial kitchens which

qualify for compost collection

Obtain appropriate composting

bins in dining room and kitchen

Label bins with what they collect

Educate members about how to

effectively compost (included in UO Greeks Go Green Presentation)

Contact Sanipac for compost services ( http://sanipac.com/contact-us/food-compost-

program/ or call 541-736-3600)

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3. Implementing Zero Waste in FSL For more information see additional resources (on Pg 11)

For Information about Green Chairs Meeting contact the Student Sustainability Center Greeks Go Green Coordinator (greengreeks@uoregon.edu)

For information about Zero Waste, Composting, or Events: contact the UO Zero Waste Program (zwhouses@uoregon.edu)

Implement other means of waste prevention and diversion

Introduce reusables such as plates, forks, and mugs into the house

Participate in the Spring Reusables Collection (or participate in an alternative plan)

Discontinue the purchase and use of disposables. Come up with a plan to use reusables or compostables (No plastic cutlery, paper plates, disposable coffee cups, straws, etc.)

Purchase food in bulk when possible to reduce packaging waste

Seek out and implement new forms of waste reduction

Conduct Waste assessments for all materials in your house to help determine the best waste reduction strategies.

Chapters Pledge to strive for sustainable practices!

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Waste Diversion Checklist

Reuse/Reduce

Participate in the Spring Reusables Collection (or create an alternative plan)

Discontinue use of disposable cutlery, plates, cups, straws, etc. (Compostable alternatives

are ok, but reusables are preferred)

Analyze chapter purchases and utilize a minimal waste strategy (buying in bulk, buying

items with recyclable packaging, etc.)

Green Events

Ensure philanthropy events follow the Green Event Standards. Incorporate the practices

into other events held by the chapter. Philanthropy event dates must be given to the Zero

Waste Coordinator at the beginning of each term (preferably at the beginning of each

school year).

Turn in Green Event Form at least 2 weeks before each philanthropy event

Recycling

Obtain commingled recycling services from garbage hauler

Obtain glass recycling services from garbage hauler

Recycling bins in common areas

Recycling bins in individual rooms

Recycling bins in kitchen/dining areas

Garbage bins alongside recycling bins

Recycling bins labeled

Educational material placed near bins where and when appropriate

Compost

Obtain compost services from garbage hauler

Composting bins in kitchen

Composting bins in dining area

Composting bins labeled

Educational material placed near bins where and when appropriate

Education

Host a UO Greeks Go Green Presentation

Provide chapter with appropriate posters and labels

Provide chapter members with sustainability-related volunteer activities

Green Chair

Check quarterly for updates on waste prevention standards

Update all signs with currently accurate local information and for cleanliness

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Contacts and Resources

Contacts: UO Student Sustainability Center UO Greeks Go Green Coordinator………………..……………..greengreeks@uoregon.edu

UO Zero Waste Program Program Manager…….…………………………………….…...recycle@uoregon.edu

541-346-1545

Outreach/Education Coordinator…………………………..…...zwhouses@uoregon.edu

541-346-1577

Zero Waste Events/Compost Coordinator………………...……compost@uoregon.edu

541-346-5275

Love Food Not Waste (City of Eugene Compost Program) Website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/759/Commercial-Food-Waste-Collection

Garbage Haulers Sanipac………………………………………………………….541-736-3600

Lane Apex……………………………………………................541-607-2042

Royal Refuse…………………………………………………....541-688-5622

Helpful Resources: Sanipac Recycling Poster: http://files.sanipac.com/commercial-commingle-flyer.pdf

Sanipac Compost Poster: http://www.sanipac.com/commercial/compost/

-----Information from both posters applies for both Sanipac and Lane Apex-----

Waste Assessment Form, Green Event Form, Bin-Outfitting Program Form:

Email the UO Zero Waste Program at zwhouses@uoregon.edu to obtain these forms

UO Greeks Go Green Social Media

@UOGreeksGoGreen

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Interested in attaining the Zero Waste Pledge?

Email greengreeks@uoregon.edu to get started!