This resource includes some sustainable steps to take as you get ready to leave your office, lab, or dorm for vacation!
Unplug your devices and appliances.
- Empty, unplug, and defrost your fridge or mini fridge to save energy! While you’re at it, be sure to turn off power strips and unplug all devices and appliances in your space such as your microwave, printer, and lamps. They can still continue to draw electricity while plugged in, even if powered off. If you are on the Dearborn campus, please do not unplug any devices that are plugged into the green BERT plugs.
Remove trash, recycling, and compost.
- Not sure if something is recyclable? Check out the Where to Throw guide to recycling and composting on campus! Or the What Goes Where guide to recycling on Dearborn’s campus.
Close windows and blinds.
- Ensure that your windows are closed and shut your curtains to provide additional insulation that can help save heat.
Turn off all lights before you leave.
- If you’re the last one to leave a shared office space, this includes bathrooms, hallways, and kitchens.
Return dining hall dishes.
- Are you amassing a dirty set of Michigan Dining dishes in your room? Returning your dishes enables dining services to continue offering them instead of resorting to all single-use products.
Donate unopened food products to your campus food pantry.
- If you have unopened, unexpired, non-perishable food or personal care products that you are not going to use, donate them to the Maize and Blue Cupboard (Ann Arbor), the Student Food Pantry (Dearborn), or Wolverine Essentials (Flint).
Make environmentally-conscious travel plans.
- Use Michigan Flyer AirRide or the CSG Airbus to reduce emissions (and costs) when heading to the airport from Ann Arbor!
- You can take the Smart Bus in Dearborn or Flix Bus in Ann Arbor.
- Take the Amtrak train for regional travel from Dearborn, Flint, and Ann Arbor.
Reduce energy use and waste in your lab (if applicable).
The Office of Campus Sustainability has recommendations for how lab spaces can prepare for break:
- Turn off lights in all areas, including the main space, fume hoods, and tissue culture rooms.
- Turn off and unplug countertop equipment like ovens, centrifuges, waterbaths, vortexers, scales, etc. Order free reminder stickers if needed!
- Ensure fume hood sashes are completely shut.
- Turn off larger equipment like biosafety cabinets, incubators, and glove boxes. Check the manual for proper power-off directions.
- Clean out unneeded supplies and equipment. Donate surplus to the Lab Reuse Program or send equipment to Property Disposition.
- Defrost freezers and update freezer inventories before you leave. Request the free freezer maintenance kit to help!