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Sustainability Program aims to reduce cost  The Sustainability Program is working to reduce the financial and environmental impact on the campus by advancing energy efficiency, water conservation, green building and operations, waste reduction, reuse and recycling.   Come to Wellness Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 16 in the Children's Hospital lobby to find out more about MUSC’s efforts and how each person could help achieve sustainability. A laptop computer will be used to locate some great Web resources, and a small amount of free office supplies from the ROSE Program (reusable office supplies), as well as brochures, handouts, and a limited number of free coffee mugs or T-shirts will be offered for those who answer a sustainability question correctly.   Every student, faculty and staff member of MUSC is a vital part of the program. Decisions are made every day by employees that determine the sustainability of the organization. Here are several ways to make MUSC more sustainable: Turn it off when not needed Always turn off lights in unoccupied rooms or areas such as offices, break rooms and conference rooms. The person out of a common space such as a lobby or hallway should turn off lights. Turn off desk lights or other task lights when not needed. Turn it down when you can Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. Many areas are over lit. Use multi-switching to turn off part of the light if possible. Lights by windows often can be turned off during the day. Use task lighting, when appropriate, instead of lighting the entire room. Tips for green computing Do not leave the computer running overnight and on weekends. Go to “Start,” “Shut Down.” If you have a LYNX machine, your machine will turn on in the late evening to perform updates. Power off your monitor overnight and on weekends. Power off your monitor when not in use during the day instead of using screensavers. Purchase efficient ENERGY STAR products. Review document drafts and e-mails onscreen instead of printing them out. When necessary to print, print on recycled-content paper. Use the files in your e-mail program to save e-mails you want to refer to later. Turn off or unplug all peripherals (scanners, speakers, etc.) until they are to be used. Choose dark backgrounds for your screen display. Do not use brightly-colored displays that consume more power. Do not turn on the printer until you are ready to print your documents. Reduce the light level in the room when working on the computer. Unplug Use power strips to switch off all daily use equipment such as coffee pots. Even when you think these products are off, their “standby” consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75-watt or 100-watt light bulb burning continuously. Unplug appliances and chargers when not in use. Set your refrigerator temperature at 38 to 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The freezer should be set between 0 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the power-save switch if your refrigerator has one, and make sure the door seals tightly. Many new appliances use half of the energy than those from 20 years ago. Look for products with the Energy Star label, which typically use about 20 percent to 40 percent less energy than other new models. Dress for energy savings Set your thermostat in the winter to 68 degrees or lower during the daytime, and 55 degrees before leaving the office. During the summer, set thermostats between 74 and 78 degrees. Dress comfortably for the weather. Adjust your clothing layers before adjusting the thermostat. Avoid using space heaters or box fans. Make sure fume hoods are off and the covers are closed when you are not using them. Reduce Check out MUSC ROSE online at http://www.musc.edu/recycle/roseprogram.htm. E-mail communications as an alternative to paper memos and fax documents. Double-side copy when available. Use the blank side as scrap paper. Buy remanufactured toner cartridges. They are reused and less expensive. Call companies to delete your name from unnecessary mailing lists. Reuse Reuse office supplies such as paper clips, paper, manila file folders, hanging file folders, and envelopes. Call 792-4119 if you have good office supplies you would like recycled. Use durable coffee mugs, glasses or cups instead of disposable cups. Recycle Use the MUSC confidential on-site shredding service. If you do not have a confidential paper recycling bin, call 792-4119 to make a request. Aluminum can recycling bins are in every building on campus. If you need a new bin, call 792-4119 to request one. Recycle rechargeable batteries like Ni-Cad, Lithium Ion, Lead Acid, and Ni-Mh by calling 792-4119 and requesting a collection. Take trash out of boxes and break down all cardboard boxes. The Housekeeping staff will recycle them. Use less water Report all leaking faucets and toilets to maintenance immediately by calling 792-4119. Turn off faucets when not in use. If you have a dishwasher, make sure there is a full load before you turn it on. When traveling for business, request no maid service until you check out. Hanging the do-not-disturb card also works. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, Jan. 11, 2008 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.