Archive | June, 2012

What Exactly Does It Mean to be a “Green Business?”

By on June 26, 2012 in Adaptive Reuse, APUS Sustainability Efforts, Green Economy, Green-Building, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Business, Sustainability in Higher Education

What is a “Green” Business? by APUS

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A Truly Dire 2012 Prediction

By on June 22, 2012 in American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, Sustainability General, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Ryan Harding

Admittedly, against a cultural backdrop in which apocalyptic narratives have considerable purchase, and have become somewhat of a cultural curiosity, the prospect that an actual global catastrophe might go relatively unnoticed, seems somewhat preposterous. In truth, although at the moment the issue of climate change may not seem as culturally galvanizing or captivating as, say, the Maya 2012 prediction, considerable research and attention—both popular and scholarly—has indeed been paid to the defining problem of our era. All of this attention, and the groundswells that have followed each spike in interest in climate change, have yet to be translated into a meaningful, coherent global, or even national movement, however.… Read the rest

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APUS Talks to Sarah McNair About Her “Tiny House, Big Adventure”

By on June 11, 2012 in Uncategorized

As a follow up to Sarah’s article last week about her “tiny house, big adventure,” here is a podcast in which Sarah discusses the project.  Kudos to Sarah for her efforts to live sustainably!

How Sustainability Can Come in a Tiny Package by APUS

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Small House, Big Adventure: A Sustainable Building Project by an APUS Student

By on June 8, 2012 in Green-Building, Recycling, Renewable Energy, Sustainability in Higher Education

by Sarah McNair

The average American home measures over 2,400 square feet – more than double the size of a typical house in the 1950s.  Although our houses are getting bigger, the amount of land and resources the planet can offer us is decreasing.  As a result of this demand, rising cost of living, and inundation with a mentality of consumerism, the “tiny house” movement has appeared and is going strong.  The movement includes those who desire to simplify their lives, give up a rent or mortgage payment, or live a more environmentally sustainable lifestyle.… Read the rest

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APUS Expands Recycling Program to Include Battery Recycling with The Big Green Box Program

By on June 1, 2012 in APUS Sustainability Efforts, Recycling

by Beth Gray

There are very few gadgets and items that most of us use every day that do not require batteries to operate.  Our gadgets, however, quickly drain the batteries we put in them and we must continuously replace the old batteries with new ones.  For parents of young children the constant battle to keep up with batteries so that favorite toys stay operational can be exhausting.  Considering the volume of batteries that we consume each year (3 billion a year in the United States according to one estimate), it is imperative that we dispose of our old batteries appropriately. 

Batteries contain many toxic materials including cadmium, lead, and mercury (among others).  Batteries that are discarded with regular trash can end up in landfills where the toxic materials can contaminate groundwater and create otherwise hazardous conditions for those who may come into contact with them.  Many municipalities now have programs for recycling batteries once they have served their purpose for the consumer.  Each type of battery is recycled in a slightly different way but the general process is largely the same: the toxic materials are “neutralized” and the batteries are ground into a powder which can be incorporated into scrap metal and reused. 

In January, American Public University System (APUS) introduced battery recycling to its staff using The Big Green Box program.  The Big Green Box is a national program and can be a convenient and cost effective way for individual consumers, businesses, and municipalities to ensure that their used batteries are recycled appropriately.  There is a nominal fee associated with purchasing a Big Green Box but the fee includes the costs associated with the actual recycling process and the box comes with a pre-paid shipping label.  The Box itself is a United Nations rated corrugated container making the process even more environmentally friendly. 

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