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Squeaky Green: Green Cleaning at UNH |
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At UNH, our buildings are not just squeaky clean but squeaky “green” clean. Responsible for the internal cleaning of 75 of the 112 buildings on and off the Durham campus, UNH Facilities Housekeeping continues to expand its “green cleaning” efforts to ensure a healthy learning and working environment for students, faculty, staff, and building service workers. The remaining 37 buildings on campus are serviced by UNICCO, which has a similar green cleaning program. Housekeeping managers Judy Koski, Gene Gargano and Jean Mitchell estimate that “through the use of greener products, more effective cleaners, and precise dispenser systems, UNH Housekeeping has decreased the amount of cleaning product used by approximately 50% in the past 15 years.” |
Often containing chemicals associated with cancer, reproductive disorders, respiratory ailments, and eye or skin irritations, traditional cleaning products impact human health, drinking water, lakes and streams, and plant and animal life. In concentrated form many are considered hazardous waste, causing handling, storage, and disposal concerns. Always testing and training on greener products and practices, Housekeeping currently uses Green Seal® certified neutral/all-purpose floor and wall scrubbing cleaners, disinfectants, glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, and pre-spray and extraction shampoos. They also use efficient cleaning solution dispenser systems, high efficiency filtration vacuums, efficient automatic floor scrubbers, 100% recycled and EcoLogo certified toilet paper and roll towels, soaps that are not antimicrobial so as not to contribute to the breeding of “super bugs,” and much more. Learn more at our website. |
Did You Know?According to Green Seal®, a green cleaner is one that lessens its environmental impact at every stage of its life cycle, including packaging and disposal. Learn more at www.greenseal.org. |
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You too can clean green in your office, classroom, residence hall room, home, and apartment. Look for nontoxic, fragrance-free, biodegradable, post-consumer recycled content, unbleached, and non-antimicrobial products. And steer clear of synthetic fragrances and antimicrobial products. The UNH community can find many green choices at our local Houghton’s ACE Hardware! Read this Grist Magazine story for more green cleaning information. |
February 8 & 9 Center of NH - Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St., Manchesterm NH Visit NH’s “Greatest Winter Fair!” Contact: Visit the NH Farm and Forest Expo website |
February 20 Cultural Excursion to the Boston Symphony Orchestra 7:30 PM live rehearsal $40/person including ticket and roundtrip bus transportation |
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March 1 NOFA NH's 6th Annual Winter Conference “Local and Organic: the Sustainable Future” Winnisquam Regional High School, Tilton, NH Contact: Visit the NOFA-NH website or contact Anne Nason, (603) 746-3018 |
April 18 - 26 UNH Undergraduate Research Conference Come experience a wide array of events, activities, and showcases of world-class student research! Contact: Visit the UNH URC website |
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May 15 NHBSR 5th Annual Spring Conference: "Making Cents of Corporate Social Responsibility" 8 AM to 4 PM Wayfarer Inn in Bedford, NH Contact: NHBSR Executive Director, Molly Hodgson Smith, (603) 391-8471. Visit the NHBSR website to register. |
June 20 - 21 Kingsbury Hall, UNH Durham Come learn about energy technologies, research, policy, and more! Contact: Dr. Gordon Kraft, (603) 862-1318 |
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Since 1997, the University Office of Sustainability -- the oldest endowed sustainability program in higher education in the U.S. -- has been transforming UNH into a sustainable learning community: a land grant, sea grant, and space grant university that unites the spirit of discovery with the challenge of sustainability across its curriculum, operations, research and engagement (CORE) through four initiatives designed around four foundational systems of sustainability -- biodiversity, climate, food, and culture. A spirit of discovery. A small, New England liberal arts college feel. A top-tier university with research in climate science, sustainable energy and engineering, sustainable agriculture and food systems, marine science, natural resources, public health, nutrition, and more. A dedication to community, citizen engagement, diversity, cultural and natural resources, and public arts. Discover sustainability at UNH. UNH University Office of Sustainability 107 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street Durham, NH 03824 USA 603.862.4088. 603.862.0785 fax |
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Elizabeth Joseph UNH Senior, English Major |
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What have you learned as a member of the UNH Organic Garden Club? I have learned how hard it is to grow your own food! Especially to do so in a way that does not compromise the integrity of the soil, animals, plants, people, and collectively the land. I’ve witnessed the abundant harvest that results from such hard work, rooted in a vision that seeks to nourish, serve, and sustain the local community. Finally, I’ve learned that many women and men are dissatisfied and angry about our culture’s relationship to our environment especially the damage caused by our mainstream system of food production. In response, I’ve seen a desire and passion to challenge those systems and cultivate a movement towards a more prolific future. What is the RENU Program at UNH, and why is it so important? UNH-RENU (Recycling Everything New/ Used) is an independent and volunteer-based community organization, At the end of each academic year RENU collects new and used clothing, as well as unopened, nonperishable food, in all of the dorms and on-campus apartments. Thanks to the efforts of those who recycled and volunteered, last year we collected 245 bags of clothing (about 5000 pounds) and 4800 pounds of food that may have otherwise been thrown away. |
The recycled items were donated to Cornucopia Food Pantry, Crossroads House, and Operation Blessing, among other places. RENU’s vision is to reduce as much “waste” at the end of the year as possible, to generate awareness about the impact of individuals on the environment, and to support the local community through our efforts. What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability? The beauty and hope that blooms from the people around me and the ground we stand on. The knowledge that my everyday choices -- speech, votes, diet, purchases, mobility, and so forth -- carry tremendous weight for both myself and the larger community. And finally the belief that we have the intellect, insight, and resources to move in a better direction and make the transition that these times demand of us. -------------------------------- New Year, New Look!Since our website got a makeover in 2006 and 2007, it was only fitting that our brochure get one too! |
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