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Johns Hopkins University SUSTAINABLESUSTAINABLE LIVINGLIVING GUIDEGUIDE H

The Sustainable Living Guide is a collection of

and recommendations intended to assist H H H Johns Hopkins University community members to live more environmentally conscious lifestyles. The guide covers many areas that impact an individual’s environmental footprint, such as cleaning, H and , waste practices, and food and dietary choices. Additionally, since a large H portion of Hopkins affiliates reside in the Baltimore region, many of the listed resources connect readers to guidelines and organizations located

in or around Baltimore.

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Table of Contents H H H Cleaning 3 Energy 3 Food & Diet 4

H Personal Care 5 Shopping 5 H H Supplies 6 H H Transportation 7 Waste Diversion 7

Waste Reduction 8 H H H H Water 9

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H Cleaning Everyday chores can have a variety of environmental ramifications; household cleaners and detergents often contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment, and household tasks produce waste or are needlessly energy and water intensive. By purchasing or making your own cleaning supplies with non-toxic, natural ingredients, investing in reusable products, and making small changes to your cleaning habits, you can lessen your exposure to harmful chemicals and reduce your environmental footprint while doing chores at home.

Potential Resources □ Green cleaning benefits and recipes for homemade natural products □ Green cleaning product ratings □ Guide to green product certifications

Tips □ Invest in reusable and washable towels to reduce paper consumption, deforestation, and money spent on disposable paper towels over time □ Purchase cleaning products made with natural ingredients and make your own cleaning supplies ◼ Commonly used ingredients in homemade green cleaning products include lemon juice, white vinegar, borax, olive oil, and baking soda □ Hang wet clothes to dry instead of using a dryer to save energy □ Review product labels prior to purchasing and look for products with reputable certifications specifying healthy and environmentally-safe ingredients.

Energy The amount of energy you consume directly relates to your personal . Unless you purchase renewable power from your electricity provider, your energy likely comes from the primarily -powered electricity grid, which emits significant emissions that contribute to global and local air . Making small changes to conserve energy and investing in energy-efficient products are effective ways to lessen your environmental impact.

Potential Resources □ BGE energy savings program □ Registered EPEAT electronics □ certified products

Tips □ Do only full loads of laundry and use cold water to reduce energy consumption and costs □ Change thermostat settings as seasons change (68 degrees Fahrenheit in cooler months and 75 degrees Fahrenheit in warmer months) to reduce energy required for heating and cooling

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□ To reduce energy consumed by everyday appliances and electronics, purchase more energy- efficient products that are either EPEAT registered or ENERGY STAR certified □ Turn off lights and electronics when not in use ◼ Use and switch off power strips, which cuts power to products like chargers, televisions, and small appliances to prevent phantom energy consumption (energy used by electronics when turned off but still plugged in) □ Install LED lightbulbs, which are more energy efficient and last longer than traditional bulbs □ Use natural sunlight during the day instead of lamps and overhead lighting □ Choose suppliers using BGE’s options to better control emissions produced from powering your home □ If financially able, invest in renewable energy systems to power your home to reduce energy consumed from the electricity grid and greenhouse emissions

Food & Diet Food and dietary choices can have a significant impact on your individual environmental footprint as approximately a quarter of global emissions comes from food production1. Because and dairy products have the highest associated emissions, incorporating plant-based food into your diet is a healthy and easy way to reduce your environmental impact.

Potential Resources □ Greenhouse gas food calculator □ 85 vegan recipes □ Tips for growing food in small spaces □ Vegan restaurants in Baltimore □ Seasonal produce guide □ Center for a Liveable Future food publications □ Farmers’ Markets

Tips □ Grow your own food and herbs □ If transitioning your diet, try eating plant-based meals two to three days a week □ Try plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, seeds, and tofu to reduce meat consumption while meeting daily protein requirements □ Buy organic and locally-sourced food when possible □ Join a CSA (community supported agriculture) program to secure local produce ◼ Joining a CSA from farms like One Straw and others in and around Baltimore is a great way to also support the local economy □ Increase the portion size of vegetables and grains and eat smaller meat portions during meals □ Prioritize seasonal produce to reduce travel emissions and support local farmers

1 “Global Data,” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 10, 2020, https://www.epa.gov/ ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data. Sustainable Living Guide Page 4 Personal Care Similar to the supplies used to clean your home, personal care products may also contain harmful ingredients and can be packaged with unnecessary materials that create excess waste. By learning about and avoiding harsh, synthetic chemicals and prioritizing package-free or bulk products, you can reduce your waste and exposure to unsafe ingredients ingredients during your personal care routine. Potential Resources □ Chemicals of concern in personal care products □ Personal care product chemical fact sheet □ Package-free personal care products

Tips □ Purchase reusable, package-free or bulk-packaged products for your personal care routine to reduce waste: ◼ Reusable and washable cotton rounds and cotton swabs ◼ Toothpaste and mouthwash tablets ◼ Reusable menstrual cups ◼ Soap bars or bulk-packaged liquid soap □ Find vegan or cruelty free products to that are not tested on animals or contain animal products □ Learn about what’s used in your personal care products and avoid certain chemicals that can have adverse effects on human health

Shopping H The products you buy and the way you purchase everyday items like clothing, food, and household supplies directly affects how much waste you produce and the resources you consume. By using reusable bags, buying second-hand items, and looking for environmentally-friendly and ethically-made products, you can reduce your environmental footprint, save money, and support local or sustainable businesses.

Potential Resources □ MOMs Organic Market, Whole Foods, OK Natural Food Store, or RoofTop HoT Local & Organic Market □ Farmers’ Markets □ Second-hand resources: ◼ Second Chance ◼ Goodwill ◼ The Wise Penny ◼ Baltimore County Directory

Sustainable Living Guide Page 5 Tips □ Buy second-hand to save money and reduce your environmental impact □ Take inventory of your pantry before grocery shopping to avoid over-buying □ Purchase durable clothing and goods that last longer over time □ Support local and BIPOC-owned businesses □ Purchase fair traid and ethically-made products □ Look for clothing products made with organic or rapidly renewable textiles □ Bring reusable shopping and produce bags when grocery shopping to reduce unnecessary plastic consumption*

Supplies The types and quantities of supplies you purchase and use for school or work directly impact your consumption. By avoiding paper products and using smart technologies, reducing unnecessary purchases, and prioritizing sustainably made-products, you can decrease your environmental footprint and save on personal expenses.

Potential Resources □ Sustainable supplies □ Green lab supplies □ Tips on buying eco-friendly office supplies

Tips □ Use power strips wherever possible to easily turn off electronics when not in use and avoid phantom energy loads □ To save paper, use electronic note-taking and document management, and print double-sided and with smaller margers when applicable □ If necessary, purchase notebooks and printer paper that have at least 30% recycled-content or are Forest Council (FSC) certified □ If working in a lab, evaluate your lab and research group’s purchasing practices for supplies and lab equipment □ Print in black and white to reduce ink and return used ink and toner cartridges when possible □ Return used ink and toner cartridges to places like Office Depot to be recycled □ Purchase supplies that are BPA, phthalate, and PVC free to avoid toxic chemicals commonly found in plastic

Sustainable Living Guide Page 6 * Due to COVID-19, these items may temporarily not be allowed in certain stores, restaurants, and cafes Transportation Excluding residential and commercial energy consumption, the transportation sector is one of the largest producers of greenhouse gas emissions and significantly contributes to local . Taking advantage of walking, biking, and the mass transportation resources below are convenient and cost-effective ways to reduce your personal transportation emissions.

Potential Resources □ Blue Jay Shuttle □ Collegetown Shuttle □ Charm City Circulator □ Zipcar □ Baltimore Water Taxis □ Scooters (not permitted on the Homewood Campus quads) ◼ JUMP ◼ Lime ◼ SPIN

Tips □ To reduce emissions from single occupancy vehicles, consider the following behaviors: ◼ Use telework and telemeeting platforms when possible to reduce travel ◼ Bike or walk wherever you are able ◼ Rideshare/Carpool with friends or colleagues who live nearby ◼ Use mass transportation (free options include the Blue Jay Shuttle, Collegetown Shuttle, and Charm City Circulator) □ Offset carbon emissions from flying with donated carbon tax

Waste Diversion Waste diversion refers to both organic and inorganic waste instead of disposing it for landfill or incineration. Landfills produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher warming potential than , and incinerators produce toxins that can lead to respiratory issues in surrounding communities. By diverting your waste, you can reduce those pollutants and the space required for landfills, support the recycling sector, and allow more materials to live a second life as new products.

Potential Resources □ SCRAP Creative Reuse Baltimore □ Baltimore City Recycling Guide and map of recycling drop-off locations □ Baltimore City Composting Guide

Sustainable Living Guide Page 7 Tips □ Donate unwanted clothes and other items to thrift stores and donation drives □ Start a bin OR drop off your compost at MOMs or other compost locations and services □ Only recycle items accepted by your city or county to reduce bin contamination with non- recyclable materials □ To properly recycle your electronics, bring them to an e-cycler ◼ Accepted items and drop-off locations in Baltimore ◼ Best Buy and Staples both accept electronics and certain appliances □ Donate unwanted furniture to places like for Humanity ReStores or Goodwill □ Donate towels to animals shelters ◼ MDSPCA ◼ BARCS

Waste Reduction Reducing the amount of waste you generate is the most effective way to avoid sending materials to landfill or incineration when diversion isn’t an option. This eliminates the adverse impacts from extraction, manufacturing, and shipping, in addition to avoiding the need for disposal. By simply reducing how much you consume, you can greatly minimize your and the amount of materials sent to the waste stream.

Potential Resources □ Maryland solid waste reduction and reuse tips

Tips □ Upcycle old clothing □ Reuse containers like mason jars for drinkware, storage, and decor □ Buy items with less or no packaging to eliminate unnecessary waste □ Take an inventory of your closet or pantry to buy only what is needed □ Use a reusable water bottle or coffee mug/thermos ($ off at some coffee shops on campus)* □ Reuse gift bags and purchase reusable wrapping paper □ Use a Reusable Keurig cup and fill with coffee grounds instead of single use pods □ Invest in reusable bags and containers for shopping and storing food to decrease plastic use* ◼ Silicone Ziploc-style bags ◼ Reusable produce bags*

Sustainable Living Guide Page 8 * Due to COVID-19, these items may temporarily not be allowed in certain stores, restaurants, and cafes Water Only about 0.3% of Earth’s water is available for human consumption, and climate change has caused more frequent droughts, resulting in severe water shortages for around the world. Making small changes in your everyday routine to conserve water can have significant long-term savings and reduce the risk of future regional water shortages.

Potential Resources □ fact sheet □ Water conservation tips and tricks

Tips □ Do only full loads of dishes and laundry □ Turn off the faucet while washing your hands and face, brushing your teeth, and shaving □ If you have plants, consider capturing rainwater to water indoor and outdoor plants □ Gradually reduce your by one minute (the average American uses approximately 2.1 gallons of water per minute) □ Fix or report leaky faucets to your landlord □ Consider installing low-flow fixtures, faucet aerators, and

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