AWCH ENVIRONMENTALLY MINDFUL GUIDELINES
BY CHRISTINE R .
PURPOSE Sustainable guidelines help us to assume responsibility for the impact that we have on our society and the environment .
Our groups , activities , events , meetings , and communications should keep these guidelines in mind when planning and undertaking any ventures .
REDUCE Avoid creating trash wherever possible by buying products with the least amount of packaging materials .
Think before products are purchased for use at AWCH events and activities : check AWCH ’ s inventory at DESY before purchasing any new items .
Can the club borrow , rent , or make it ? Check clothing swaps , online / retail second-hand shops , and Flohmarkts .
Purchase decorations that can be used year after year for events such as Thanksgiving , Halloween , and the Fourth of July .
RECYCLE Make an effort to recycle items ( paper , glass , metal , and plastic ). Ensure that what you bring to an event is recycled , either at the event or by bringing it home with you and putting it in the recycle bin .
GO PAPERLESS Don ’ t print single-use items . Instead , utilize online tools and resources ( Google Drive , Dropbox , or OneDrive ).
Where printing is needed , print documents on once-used paper and / or bleach-free , recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available ( that is , made from materials collected from previous products ). Use FSC certified paper .
TRANSPORT Encourage members to lower commuter emissions by taking public transportation or carpooling where possible . For events further away , consider train vs . plane / car travel and compensate CO2 where possible ( e . g ., atmosfair . com ).
Set up a WhatsApp group to see who is going to an event and how a carpool can be organized .
SUPPORT REGIONAL Work with and support local businesses that have sustainable goals .
Cater or book at restaurants and event locations that have and follow their own sustainability goals .
Use food services that deliver local produce .
Source prizes and gifts from local businesses .
Ask members on our Facebook page or WhatsApp what they can lend .
Ask members to bring their own refillable water bottles to events .
AWCH board meetings : refrain from printing documents . Instead , use a computer , iPad , or projector . AWCH board members should make digital the norm and print only when necessary .
RE-USE Avoid single-use items . Think about ways to reuse what is purchased .
Wherever possible , replace disposable products with reusable ones ( fabric napkins , plates , cutlery , batteries , ink cartridges , coffee filters , etc .).
AWCH events , activities : go digital ( e . g ., The Vagina Monologues used a digital ticketing process instead of asking each guest to print out a ticket ).
Mailings / print magazines , i . e ., Currents : use sustainable printers ( e . g ., dieUmweltDruckerei ), and use FSC certified paper .
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