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Green Residence Certification

This year ResRAP took on the Green Energy Fee Small Grant Project application to initiate our long anticipated Green Residence Certification pilot and were graciously approved. The purpose of our Green Residence Certification pilot project is to heighten student awareness about sustainable living. We will be assessing the sustainable practices of specific residence hall rooms and giving them a level of certification based on how environmentally-conscious their lifestyle choices are as well as providing them with a sustainable kit. The kit will include a shower timer, an energy efficient surge protector, transportation guides, and recycling guides.

To determine your dorm's certification please fill out the following questionnaire; if one of the options does not apply to your living space click "not applicable" and this will not count against your final score.

Energy (1 point each)
We turn off all of our computers, printers, or copiers when we are out, overnight, and during breaks.
We have replaced screw-in incandescent bulbs in floor and desk lamps with CFL or LED bulbs.
We make a conscious effort to turn off all lights when leaving rooms and while sleeping. This includes common areas such as restrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.
We use natural lighting or task lighting whenever possible and turn off overhead lighting.
We turn off the lights in seldom-used areas.
We close our room's windows and doors when the heating system is active.
We close our blinds at night and before leaving for weekends or breaks during cold weather.
We manage our personal comfort level with clothing (sweaters, etc.) rather than with space heaters or by increasing the thermostat during cold weather.
We share electronics and appliances as much as possible.
We unplug appliances or plug them into a power strip and shut it off when we are out, at night, or when leaving for breaks.
We take the stairs instead of the elevator.
We only wash full loads of laundry.
We use the cold water setting when doing laundry.
We make an effort to tightly turn off faucets and showers and report any leaks.
We try to minimize our water use (examples: we all shower for 10 minutes or less and we don't leave the sink running when we brush our teeth, etc…).

Waste (1 point each)
We set narrow printing margins to reduce paper use when printing.
We reuse paper that has text on it by printing on the back side or print double-sided.
We use rechargeable batteries if batteries are required for a device.
We recycle non-rechargeable batteries at our hall's front desk.
We sort our waste properly. (To learn about sorting your waste see AS Recycle Center.)
We do not purchase bottled water.
We separate all compostable food and food-soiled paper waste for appropriate disposal. (If compost is collected in your residence hall).
We choose to buy items in bulk or with little packaging.

Transportation (1 point each)
We bike or walk to class.
We walk, bike, choose transit, or carpool rather than driving alone when traveling locally.
We use the bus, train or carpool rather than driving alone or flying when traveling regionally.
We have used the WWU Transportation website to plan a trip in Bellingham.
We do not own any cars.

Food/Dining (1 point each)
We look for items produced locally when purchasing food.
We look for organic items when purchasing food.
We eat little-to-no meat, unless it's sustainably raised.
We use reusable mugs, bottles, and dishware.

Participation (.5 points each)
We have successfully encouraged another room to sign-up for sustainable certification.
We know our hall's Eco Reps and how to contact them.
We receive the ResRAP Newsletter (sign up).
We have liked the ResRAP Facebook page.
We have reported a success story to the Resident's Resource Awareness Program.
We have taken a carbon-footprint quiz like this.

Innovation (points TBD)


ABOVE AND BEYOND
We have developed and use a system for separating and disposing of food and food-soiled paper waste (compost). (If compostable collection is not available in your building.)
We conducted a waste audit of our personal trash and recycling to see what items we are throwing away the most and have taken steps to reduce our waste.
We are all registered with Whatcom Smart Trips and log our monthly trips.

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Questions?

If you have any questions regarding this form, please contact us.