Homecoming 2011: Go Green

Friday November 4 through Sunday November 6, 2011

UMass Amherst has committed itself to sustainability and has made a great effort to make the campus and community more sustainable. Here are a few tips that you can use to help us be green this Homecoming.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME

  • Turn your water heater to "vacation" or lowest setting
  • Turn off AC/heat or adjust the thermostat to protect plants, etc.
  • Appliances, such as TVs and cable converter boxes, should be unplugged because they can draw or "leak" as much as 40 watts per hour even when they're off.

AT THE HOTEL OR RESTAURANT

  • Participate in hotel linen programs, or let the hotel know that it's not necessary to change your sheets and towels every day
  • When you leave your hotel room, turn off the AC/heat, lights, TV and radio and close the drapes
  • Participate in hotel recycling programs by placing recyclables in appropriate bins
  • Leave little bottles of amenities in the guestroom if unopened
  • Keep bar soap wrappers and take used bars of soap home
  • Be sure to turn off exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, Jacuzzi or tennis court lights when you're through
  • Check out with the hotel's electronic program available on the TV in some hotels. You can view your bill, approve it, and help reduce paperwork
  • In any restaurant, refuse Styrofoam. If necessary, travel with your own cup or container for leftovers
  • Choose restaurants that serve organic and locally grown food and produce (for example Tabella in Amherst Center and Local Burger in Northampton)

ON CAMPUS

  • Stay in the campus hotel to reduce your amount of transportation
  • Walk or take the bus on campus
  • Use marked receptacles for recycling, trash, and compost
  • Avoid using plastic water bottles, bring your own reusable ones