Earth Day 2013

The Office of Sustainability within Facilities Management will be hosting UNT Health Science Center's Earth Day Celebration on Tuesday April 23rd (the day after the worldwide observance)!  The event will be in the MET from 11am-2pm.  Click below to learn more about the events of the day, and watch the promo VIDEO!

FREE Community-Wide Electronic Recycling

As part of the Earth Day Celebration, UNTHSC has partnered with ECS Refining to offer our campus and surrounding community free electronic recycling.  In fact, for every pound of electronics collected on April 23rd, we will receive financial rewards which will fund environmental improvements on campus, and one lucky participant will win a Kindle eReader for donating!

A Trusted Recycler: ECS Refining is an R2 certified recycler and e-Stewards certified which means you can trust that any data left on your electronics will be destroyed as part of the recycling process.  To learn more about the process, click on the links of each certification. 

Details: Below is a list of what electronics will be accepted for recycling (items beyond this list will not be accepted).  The truck will be parked on the loading dock of the west side of the MET Building, and the UNTHSC Police Department will direct parking for drop-off if items which are too large to carry.  It is the responsibility of each person to get the items to the MET for recycling as there will not be any carts or transportation available.  Items will only be accepted between 11am-2pm on April 23rd as UNTHSC is not able to store items prior to the event.  Please note that this event is for personal items not UNTHSC property. 

Electronics Accepted for Recycling:

• Computers (desktops & laptops)
• Printers & Scanners
• Computer Accessories & Monitors
• Televisions
• GPS Units
• MP3 Players, Radios, & CD Players
• Video Equipment
• Cables, Wires, & Power Cords/Strips
• Small Home Appliances (appliances with Freon will not be accepted)

If you have questions prior to the event, please call 817-735-2451.

Why Recycle Electronics?

Many electronics contain hazardous or toxic chemicals which can be harmful to people and the environment if not handled properly.  Proper recycling ensures that these chemicals are handled and disposed of according to certain guidelines.  In addition, many electronics have sensitive or private data on them.  Proper recycling ensures that the data is destroyed as part of the process. 

For more information, check out information from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or Earth911.com. 

Upcycled/Repurposed PHOTO Contest & Gallery

Upcycle or Repurpose:

To make something new from waste material or an existing product.  Upcycling/repurposing is an environmentally friendly practice because consumption of raw materials is reduced, products are diverted from the landfill, and the lifecycle of materials is extended. 

As part of the Earth Day Celebration, the Office of Sustainability is hosting a photo contest and gallery of Upcycle/Repurpose products!  Photos will be displayed at the event and a Kindle eReader will be awarded to the favorite photo.  Deadline to submit a photo has been extended to April 5th, so don't delay!

Details:

Eligibility: Any current student, staff, or faculty member may make a submission.

Rules: You can submit up to 2 photos per individual. The product displayed in the photo must be something you personally made or repurposed.  See examples from TwistedSifter.com by clicking here. 

Deadline: The deadline to submit your photo(s) has been extended to April 5th by 5pm.

Prize: On the day of the event, April 23, people will vote for their “Favorite Upcycled/Repurposed Product”. The winner will receive a Kindle eReader!

How to Enter: To enter, fill out the form on OrgSync by clicking here*, and attach a photo(s) of the product you have upcycled/repurposed. The photo must be good quality with a maximum file size of 20MB.  You do not have to be present on the day of the event to win or enter. 

Please email sustainability@unthsc.edu with any questions.

* If you've never signed in with OrgSync, click here then click on the green button that says "Sign in with Campus ID".  You'll enter your UNTHSC ID and password. 

UNTHSC's First ZERO WASTE Food Event

Zero Waste:

Zero waste is a relatively new concept of diverting all (or nearly all) of the waste from the landfill. 

Earth Day 2013 will be UNTHSC's first Zero Waste event!  Bring a reusable cup for a free drink!  We will provide appetizers from Four Star Café for 300 people (first come, first serve, so hurry to the event!).  Compostable plates and napkins and resuable cutlery will be provided to prevent landfill waste, and compost bins will be located throughout the MET for any food waste and used plates/napkins. Earth Day 2013 will highlight the possibility of holding events in ways that reduce the environmental impact of the event. 

Earth Day Booths & Displays

Booths to inspire and educate you to "Think Green" will be located in MET 109-111 at the Earth Day event.  From composting to energy conservation on campus to bicycling in Fort Worth, you will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics.  See below for a list of booths confirmed to attend the event, and if you would like to host a booth, contact the Office of Sustainability. 

External Booths:

• Schneider Electric
• City of Fort Worth
• Tarrant Regional Water District
• North Central Texas Council of Governments
• Fort Worth Bike Sharing/City of Fort Worth - Bike FW
• Edible Dallas & Fort Worth Magazine
• Marshall Grain Co.
• Community Cultivators
• Chick-fil-A
• Partners Business Products
• Tarrant County Master Gardeners Association
• Waste Management
• Wipe Out Kids Cancer
• Millions From One

Internal Booths (hosted by UNTHSC staff and/or students):

• Electronic Engineering & Instrumentation Lab
• Energy Efficiency on Campus
• HVAC Systems
• Property Controls - Spring Office Cleaning (see below for more details)
• Co-mingle Recycling at UNTHSC
• Vermicomposting
  
• How to Make Compost Tea
• Earth Club
• Living Legacy
• Office of Sustainability
• UNTHSC Community Garden
• Sound Culture - An Interactive Poem

Prizes & SPONSORS

Many prizes and giveaways are available throughout the event:

• Enter the photo contest & gallery for your chance to win a Kindle eReader (see above for details)! 
• Donate an item for electronic recycling (see above), and one lucky winner will win a Kindle eReader for participating!
• "Think Green" reusable, foldable bags will be given away (while supplies last) 
  
•  Get your card signed by participating in booths and be entered in the drawing for over 12 prizes!  See below for a list of our prize sponsors!

Office Spring Cleaning

Does your office/department at UNTHSC have unused or unwanted items?  Now is the time to Spring clean!  Simply go through your office and supplies, and contact Property Controls with any unwanted items.  On the day of the event, April 23rd, Property Control will have a booth of supplies that people can take for their own use.  You can also donate items at the booth.

Earth Day Promo Video!!