February 2015 Green Tip: Recycling E-waste

We went to the experts to find out the best way to recycle e-waste materials. All of the following information is from the Environmental Health & Safety UCSC webpage here. Much of e-waste is disposed of incorrectly, which is very devastating for the communities living around landfills, so it is very important that everyone on campus contributes in disposing of e-waste properly.

Electronic waste (E-waste): what is it and how do we get rid of it?

This term applies to consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life. There is no clear definition for electronic waste (e-waste) at this time, but if you can plug it in to an electrical outlet or it contains circuit boards or chips, it is most likely e-waste. These products can contain heavy metals like cadmium, lead, copper, and chromium that can contaminate the environment. DO NOT dispose of these items in the trash or your recycling bins.

Examples of electronic waste include, but are not limited to:

• TVs, computer monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, circuit boards, lamps, clocks, flashlight, calculators, phones, answering machines, digital/video cameras, radios, VCRs, DVD players, MP3 and CD players 
•  Kitchen equipment (toasters, coffee makers, microwave ovens)
•  Laboratory equipment** (hot plates, microscopes, calorimeters) 
•  Broken computer monitors, television tubes (CRTs) 

 **Any laboratory equipment that has the possibility of being contaminated with chemical, biological, or radioactive substances must be cleared through EH&S and Departmental Facilities Office before disposal.
 **For PBSci laboratory equipment disposal procedure click here.

Student E-waste Recycling Options 

If you live on-campus you can dispose of your electronic waste easily and conveniently by creating a Fix It Ticket or contacting your college maintenance office.

If you live off-campus, learn more about the Santa Cruz County electronic waste disposal program:

• EcoAct.org 
• SantaCruzCountyRecycles.org (be sure to click Household Hazardous Waste in the right column and check under Universal Waste) 

Additional information on disposal / recycling of e-waste and other regulated items can be found in all college mailrooms, Graduate Student Housing Mailroom and the Village Laundry Community room. Multibins are blue cabinets built to collect batteries, small electronics, printer cartridges, and CDs. They are located in every college mailroom.

Events & Opportunities: March 5 - March 11

For a complete list of news, opportunities and events, please read our newsletter.

Upcoming Events 

UCSC Natural History Club - Tuesday 4-5 PM 

Want to explore the natural beauty of our campus? Interested in learning about particular species and discovering the wonders of UCSC natural history? Join the Natural History Club on hikes through campus. Meeting locations and additional information can be found on the Facebook group or by contacting Darrow.

Friends of the Community Agroecology Network: Tuesday 6-8 PM

FoCAN is a student-initiated, student-led community at UCSC that supports CAN's mission of promoting rural livelihoods and sustainability food systems through action, education and participatory action research. FoCAN meets weekly at the Sustainable Living Center in the Village, building A. Through communal meals, discussions, and activities, these weekly meetings create a community that fosters dialogue and experiential learning about the global food system and sustainability. Find out more here.

Student Environmental Center - Wednesday 5:30-8:30 PM

Student Environmental Center (SEC)'s General Gatherings take place every Wenesday in the College 8 Red Room. As always, free vegetarian dinner will be provided. For more information, visit their website or send them an email. 

   

Stevenson Garden Work Day - Thursday, March 8
Path to a Greener Stevenson (PTAGS) is expanding the Stevenson Garden and needs your help with building a new fence! Meet in the Stevenson Garden (by the Knoll)--time to be announced soon here. There will be food, music, good company, and good old manual labor! Please help them expand their garden and create a larger space for organic growth and community! For more information, please visit the Facebook group.

Path to a Greener Stevenson: Thursday 7 PM

Path to a Greener Stevenson (PTAGS) meets in the Stevenson House 2 lounge. They are currently working on reducing paper towel use in the dorms and are collaborating with the Zero Waste Team to buy reusable mugs for the Stevenson Coffee House.  For updates, visit the Facebook group or email Blake Redding. 

Guided Nature Walk with Campus Natural Reserves Steward: 
Friday, March 9
Our campus does not end at the buildings, so come explore the variety of vivacious ecosystems and what inhabits them! Guided Nature Walks will leave from College 8 Red Room every other Friday from 2-4. Please check out the flyer for details. For more information, please contact Alex Jones, the Campus Natural Steward.

Farm Fridays: Friday, March 9

 Each week, one dining hall features a dish incorporating ingredients from the UCSC Farm and other local organic farms in the region. The food is delicious, and it feels great to be eating the most local food possible! For more information, contact  Candy Berlin or view the Farm Fridays schedule here.

The Program in Community and Agroecology (PICA) will be joining with Dining Services' Farm Fridays by hosting an informational table at Crown/Merrill dining hall on March 9. Go talk to them to find out more about local and organic food in your dining hall!

PICA Saturday Garden Play Day: March 10
PICA's last Garden Play Day this quarter, including a Cob Oven Bake-Off, will be on Saturday, March 10th, from 10AM - 2 PM in the PICA Gardens, in the Village. The event is free, no registration is required and will happen rain or shine (there will be an indoor rainy day activity for those who don't want to get wet). A free garden-grown lunch, including some cob oven baked goodies, will be provided! For questions or more info, please contact Mira Michelle.  

Amah Mutsun Relearning Garden Work & Learn Party: Sunday, March 11
Meet at the Arboretum's Horticulture buildings at 9:30 AM  Spend the morning working to re-establish plants of traditional importance to the Mutsun people and the afternoon learning to weave, or concoct traditional medicines from willow.  Please bring water, lunch, and work gloves if you have them.  Materials are limited so please RSVP to Rick.  Directions and more information here. 

Gardeners' Alliance Gatherings: March 11
The Gardeners' Alliance is a group within SEC's Students for Organic campaign that works to  promote the campus gardens and unite the garden-friendly community by creating a space to promote and share information between campus gardeners and the students of UCSC. Email Dominique for information about timing and locations.

African American Theater Arts Troupe Collecting Old Cell Phones Until March 16

This month, the African American Theater Arts Troupe is performing Ruined by Lynn Nottage, directed by Don Williams. The play is set in the Congo (read more here), and to give back to communities affected by mining and war in the Congo, AATAT is recycling old cell phones and donating the money to refugee women in the Congo. Cell phones can be dropped off in the Cultural Arts & Diversity Office in Stevenson College anytime between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday until March 16 in the drop box inside the office. For more information please contact Don Williams.

Kresge Garden Work Days: Sundays 10 AM - 2 PM  

Join fellow gardeners at the Kresge Garden workday and workshop every Sunday! Bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch! To see what the weekly workshop will be, check out the website.

Internships, Employment & Volunteering

Sustainability Profile: Campus Sustainability Internship (CSI) Program
Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world.  The CSI Program application deadline is approaching (read more here), so in order to give readers a first hand account of the program, we interviewed CSI staff mentor Kathryn Cunningham and CSI student intern Christian Frederick about the work they are doing in the program to get a sense of what CSI is all about and why it is valuable to both student interns and staff mentors. Read the interview here.

Kathryn Cunningham is a Strategic Sourcing and Sustainable Procurement Manager in Procurement and Business Contracts (P&BC) and CSI staff mentor to CSI Intern and Environmental Studies Senior, Christian Frederick.

If you know of a person or group on campus that you think we should profile, or if you would like to be profiled, please send us an email.

Apply now to be the UCSC Sustainable Food Systems Admin Assistant - Deadline March 5

How much real food are our dining halls serving? What changes can be made to our food procurement to achieve our sustainability goals? As an intern, you will help us answer these questions! This internship will give you direct experience working with UCSC Dining and the Food Systems Working Group. Details can be found here. Deadline March 5.

Riekes Center for Human Enhancement Naturalist Position Available

The Riekes Center Nature Awareness Department is seeking a dedicated instructor interested in long-term mentoring of youth in nature. Currently they are seeking an instructor to fill a position for their spring 2012 homeschool nature programs beginning immediately and running through the end of May. They are also recruiting for summer camp instructors and the possibility exists for this person to also fill a lead instructor role for their 2012 summer camps.  For details please, email Ken Clarkson or visit theirwebsite.

Volunteer with Take Back the Tap
Take Back the Tap UCSC is looking for volunteers to end the sale of plastic water bottles on our campus. Volunteers can work on outreach, event planning, water taste tests, website and media creation, or discussion with store managers. If you're interested, email Take Back the Tap.
'



California Youth Energy Services Hiring for Summer 


  
Do you live in the SF Bay Area during the summer? Interested in a fun, educational and enriching paid summer job? You should apply to be an Energy Specialist through the California Youth Energy Services program! Energy Specialists conduct basic energy & water assessments and retrofits of homes in the local community. Find out more about the program here. If you want to hear from someone who's worked as an Energy Specialist for CYES before, please contact Melissa.


Opportunities with Pick Up America
  
Pick Up America is looking for people to travel with them this year! They are seeking young, energetic leaders who are ready to hit the road, pick up litter, and organize for a more sustainable America. An ideal candidate would be self-motivated, know how to be a team player, and be eager to educate, strategize, network, and inspire resource stewardship and zero-waste in America. Visit their website to find all the details about the available positions.   



Green Corps Now Accepting Applications
  
Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day. In Green Corps' year-long paid program, you'll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems - global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others - with groups such as Sierra Club and Food and Water Watch. When you graduate from Green Corps, they help you find a career with one of the nation's leading environmental and social change groups. For more information, visit the Green Corps website. 

Student Conservation Association Internships

The SCA is one of the biggest partners for national parks and forests. Each year, they send thousands of youth across the country to get conservation experience in awesome places. Living expenses, housing, and round trip travel provided. Internships run from 3-12 months and are available in all 50 states. Visit their website for more information and to apply.   
  

Volunteer at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Interested in gardening, habitat restoration, tidepooling, maintaining exhibits and helping at events for the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History? Volunteer today! Find out more and fill out an application here or email Matt.

Earth Week 2012 - April 16-22

  

Want to participate in Earth Week 2012: Finding Room to Bloom? Student organizations can register their Earth Week events now on the Earth Week website. Interested in being part of the Earth Day Festival on April 22? You can also sign up online to have a table or workshop on Earth Day. If you are interested in getting involved with planning Earth Day (April 22), please email Sam Moll, College 8's Special Environmental Programs Coordinator.  For those who wish to attend these festivities, stay tuned for more information here.

Donations and Funding Opportunities

Energy Department Clean Energy Workforce Training Grants - Deadline March 30
The U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program have announced up to $1.3 million for clean energy workforce training programs. Higher education institutions can apply to partner with MEP Centers to create building efficiency training programs that are tailored to building operators, building managers and energy service providers. Applications are due March 30, 2012. Click here for more information.

"What Makes Your Campus Green?" Student Video Contest - Deadline April 6
What makes UCSC green? Answer this question in a video contest and you could win up to $2500! The Herman Miller Student Video contest is designed to give students the opportunity to submit videos of their own creation that address the question "What makes your campus green?" Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three video submissions that best represent creativity, originality, and appropriateness to the theme. More information is available on the contest landing page.

Classes & Trainings
ESLP Spring Courses

The Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) is a collaborative & interdisciplinary effort to reshape the way we learn, effectively mentor students, and engage in projects that support the resiliency of the UC Santa Cruz Community. ESLP offers a five-unit (CLEI 161) and a two-unit (CLEI 61) course every Spring Quarter, which are open to everyone and can be found on the UCSC portal under College Eight courses. Visit the ESLP website for more information.

Webinar: College Recycling Processing Equipment & Vehicles - March 8
Hosted by the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC), this webinar will identify ways to maximize efficiencies through processing equipment and vehicles. as well as a variety of other college recycling process topics. It will take place at 4 PM, online. Click here for more information and to register.

LEED Certification Training
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system for sustainable buildings, such as the LEED Gold Certified Cowell Student Health Center on campus. Interested in becoming trained on LEED certification during a one-day class on campus? Please contact David Boyle for more information.   

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Have news you want to share with the campus community? Email us!

Events & Opportunities: February 27 - March 4

For a complete list of news, opportunities and events, please read our newsletter.

Upcoming Events 

Environmental Student Panel:
Wednesday, February 29

Hosted by the Santa Cruz Energy and Resources Collaborative (SCERC) and open to students in the environmental community, this event will be an opportunity to hear about the environmental work of fellow students and network with like-minded peers. Pizza My Heart pizza and soft drinks will be served. The event will take place in the Esselen Nation Conference Room (3rd floor above Bay Tree Bookstore) from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. For more information, please contact Elan.

Student Environmental Center - Urban Homesteading Discussion: 

Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM

Interested in Urban Homesteading? Come check out Rachel Kaplan at this week's General Gathering, in a new location: Oakes 106. Rachel is a permaculture designer, educator, and author of Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills For Sustainable Living. As always, free vegetarian dinner will be provided. This week's general gathering is co-hosted by the Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP). View the flier for details. For more information, visit their website or send them an email. 

   

  
Sustainability Office Hosting Green Drinks: Thursday, March 1 

 

Join the Sustainability Office at Green Drinks, a sustainability themed cocktail hour and networking event at Cafe Mare (740 Front St., Suite 100) in downtown Santa Cruz on March 1 from 5:30 to -7:30 PM. As hosts for the evening, Sustainability Office students will be presenting about their work. This is an opportunity to show your support for UCSC sustainability efforts and network with Santa Cruz and UCSC community members who have an interest in sustainability. For more information please contact Kirsten Williams.

Path to a Greener Stevenson: Thursday 7 PM

Path to a Greener Stevenson (PTAGS) meets in the Stevenson House 2 lounge. They are currently working on reducing paper towel use in the dorms and are collaborating with the Zero Waste Team to buy reusable mugs for the Stevenson Coffee House.  For updates, visit the Facebook group or email Blake Redding. 

Guided Nature Walk with Campus Natural Reserves Steward: 
Friday, March 2
Our campus does not end at the buildings, so come explore the variety of vivacious ecosystems and what inhabits them! Guided Nature Walks will leave from College 8 Red Room every other Friday from 2-4. Please check out the flyer for details. For more information, please contact Alex Jones, the Campus Natural Steward.

Farm Fridays: Friday, March 2

 Each week, one dining hall features a dish incorporating ingredients from the UCSC Farm and other local organic farms in the region. The food is delicious, and it feels great to be eating the most local food possible! For more information, contact  Candy Berlin or view the Farm Fridays schedule here.

The Program in Community and Agroecology (PICA) will be joining with Dining Services' Farm Fridays by hosting an informational table at Cowell/Stevenson dining hall on March 2. Go talk to them to find out more about local and organic food in your dining hall!

 

African American Theater Arts Troupe Collecting Old Cell Phones Until March 16 & Presenting "Ruined": March 2-3

This month, the African American Theater Arts Troupe is performing Ruined by Lynn Nottage, directed by Don Williams. The play is set in the Congo (read more here), and to give back to communities affected by mining and war in the Congo, AATAT is recycling old cell phones and donating the money to refugee women in the Congo. Cell phones can be dropped off in the Cultural Arts & Diversity Office in Stevenson College anytime between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday-Friday until March 16 in the drop box inside the office. For more information please contact Don Williams. The play will be performed March 2-3 at 7 PM in the Stevenson Event Center. Tickets are free for undergrad students with valid ID. $15 general admission. $10 faculty and alumni.

  

11th Annual Campus Earth Summit: Sprout! - 

Saturday, March 3 

You do not want to miss this free event! Earth Summit is an opportunity for students to unite over shared passion for environmental sustainability, social justice, education, and food! Come engage with staff and students, learn about campus action plans, and get involved for the future! Join the Student Environmental Center and participating organizations in the College 9 & 10 multipurpose room from 11 AM to 5 PM on March 3. Please contact Eliza Milio, view the event flyer, or visit the Student Environmental Center website for more information.  

  

Fermentation Workshop at Earth Summit: Saturday, March 3

   

PICA will be offering a free Fermentation Workshop at Earth Summit. Participants will learn to make kombucha, sourdough starter, and sauerkraut and also hear about the many benefits of fermented foods. PICA will also be collaborating with other student gardens on campus to host a Campus Student Gardens Market outside of Earth Summit. Stop by for free fresh veggies and learn how to get involved with the student gardens.   

  

Hummingbird Day at the Arboretum: March 3-4

Fun for the whole family, from 10 AM - 4 PM.  Craft activities for the kids, garden tours, bird walks (space is limited, call for reservations 831-427-2998), photo exhibit, photo tips, tips for water-wise and pollinator friendly planting, and a food truck to keep you going all day. Sunday will be less crowded. Admission $5 for adults, free for UCSC students and anyone 17 or under. Please carpool or take the bus. Directions and more information can be found here. 

Kresge Garden Work Days: Sundays 10 AM - 2 PM  

Join fellow gardeners at the Kresge Garden workday and workshop every Sunday! Bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch! To see what the weekly workshop will be, check out the website.


Internships, Employment & Volunteering

Sustainability Profile: Campus Sustainability Internship (CSI) Program
Each month, our newsletter features a person or group on campus that is working toward a more sustainable world.  The CSI Program application deadline is approaching (read more here), so in order to give readers a first hand account of the program, we interviewed CSI staff mentor Kathryn Cunningham and CSI student intern Christian Frederick about the work they are doing in the program to get a sense of what CSI is all about and why it is valuable to both student interns and staff mentors. Read the interview here. 

Kathryn Cunningham is a Strategic Sourcing and Sustainable Procurement Manager in Procurement and Business Contracts (P&BC) and CSI staff mentor to CSI Intern and Environmental Studies Senior, Christian Frederick.

If you know of a person or group on campus that you think we should profile, or if you would like to be profiled, please send us an email.

Apply now to be the UCSC Sustainable Food Systems Admin Assistant - Deadline March 5

How much real food are our dining halls serving? What changes can be made to our food procurement to achieve our sustainability goals? As an intern, you will help us answer these questions! This internship will give you direct experience working with UCSC Dining and the Food Systems Working Group. Details can be found here. Deadline March 5.

Riekes Center for Human Enhancement Naturalist Position Available

The Riekes Center Nature Awareness Department is seeking a dedicated instructor interested in long-term mentoring of youth in nature. Currently they are seeking an instructor to fill a position for their spring 2012 homeschool nature programs beginning immediately and running through the end of May. They are also recruiting for summer camp instructors and the possibility exists for this person to also fill a lead instructor role for their 2012 summer camps.  For details please, email Ken Clarkson or visit theirwebsite.
 

Volunteer with Take Back the Tap
Take Back the Tap UCSC is looking for volunteers to end the sale of plastic water bottles on our campus. Volunteers can work on outreach, event planning, water taste tests, website and media creation, or discussion with store managers. If you're interested, email Take Back the Tap.
'

California Youth Energy Services Hiring for Summer 

  
Do you live in the SF Bay Area during the summer? Interested in a fun, educational and enriching paid summer job? You should apply to be an Energy Specialist through the California Youth Energy Services program! Energy Specialists conduct basic energy & water assessments and retrofits of homes in the local community. Find out more about the program here. If you want to hear from someone who's worked as an Energy Specialist for CYES before, please contact Melissa.



Opportunities with Pick Up America
  
Pick Up America is looking for people to travel with them this year! They are seeking young, energetic leaders who are ready to hit the road, pick up litter, and organize for a more sustainable America. An ideal candidate would be self-motivated, know how to be a team player, and be eager to educate, strategize, network, and inspire resource stewardship and zero-waste in America. Visit their website to find all the details about the available positions.   


Green Corps Now Accepting Applications
  
Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day. In Green Corps' year-long paid program, you'll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems - global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others - with groups such as Sierra Club and Food and Water Watch. When you graduate from Green Corps, they help you find a career with one of the nation's leading environmental and social change groups. For more information, visit the Green Corps website. 


Student Conservation Association Internships

The SCA is one of the biggest partners for national parks and forests. Each year, they send thousands of youth across the country to get conservation experience in awesome places. Living expenses, housing, and round trip travel provided. Internships run from 3-12 months and are available in all 50 states. Visit their website for more information and to apply.   
  
 
Volunteer at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History
Interested in gardening, habitat restoration, tidepooling, maintaining exhibits and helping at events for the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History? Volunteer today! Find out more and fill out an application here or email Matt.

Earth Week 2012 - April 16-22

  

Want to participate in Earth Week 2012: Finding Room to Bloom? Student organizations can register their Earth Week events now on the Earth Week website. Interested in being part of the Earth Day Festival on April 22? You can also sign up online to have a table or workshop on Earth Day. If you are interested in getting involved with planning Earth Day (April 22), please emailSam Moll, College 8's Special Environmental Programs Coordinator.  For those who wish to attend these festivities, stay tuned for more information here.

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Have news you want to share with the campus community? Email us!