In addition to offering a wide array of environmentally friendly products, the University Store has taken steps both large and small to reduce its own internal waste and act as environmentally friendly as possible:
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We give away reusable shopping bags to cut down on plastic bag usage and promote the concept of “reusing” during book rush.
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We partnered with Tervis Tumbler to provide all work-studies and staff members with their own tumbler for coffee and water.
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We replaced many of the store's light bulbs with eco-friendly C.F.L. and L.E.D. bulbs.
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We are in the process of an internal audit on textbook returns with the goal of more accurately purchasing the number of books needed for each class. This will lessen the number of cartons that have to be shipped back and forth to and from the store each semester, and correspondingly help decrease the usage of fossil fuels.
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We’ve increased our selection of rental textbooks for students, reducing the amount of unwanted books at the end of each semester.
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We have placed MIXED PAPER ONLY recycling receptacles around the store, and each staff member is provided a recycling bin in their office.
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We accept unwanted books for recycling.
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We reuse the boxes and packaging materials from incoming store shipments for our outgoing web/mail orders and partner with university departments to assist in reusing/recycling their packaging as well.
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We drop ship large items directly from vendor to customer to save on shipping and decrease our usage of fossil fuels.
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We re-use and repurpose most merchandise that arrives to the store damaged, misprinted, or defective.
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All lights, lamps and display cases are turned off after each day to reduce our energy consumption.
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Holiday displays are reused and repurposed each year, rather than buying new every season.
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Sample items and select merchandise are gathered and collected for our “goodwill” cabinet to allow for sponsorship of community events and reduces the waste of unwanted goods.
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Binders and other office supplies are reused and repurposed amongst the staff.
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Many reports and documents are stored electronically to avoid additional printing and storage for filing.
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The store utilizes 2 printers and 1 bizhub amongst 12 staff members and 20+ work-studies, rather than having personal printers in each office.
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The store participates in the University's Compost Program.
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The store offers clothing and accessories made with recycled materials.