Stetson Green Guide

You can find many locations around DeLand to purchase items secondhand for lower prices. Below are a few options to consider:

• Goodwill - DeLand
• Angels Thrift Shop
• Neighborhood Center of West Volusia
• West Volusia Habitat For Humanity in DeLand

*We are not partners with these individuals

• Only purchase items that will fit within your space and are meaningful to you. Be mindful of clutter and unnecessary items that make it harder to move or live peacefully. 
• Consider your long-term needs. Buying items that can last the entirety of your time in college and beyond reduces waste and saves you money. Reusable items are often the best-case scenario for the well-being of the environment and your wallet.
• Find ways to reuse what you have or what other people have. Looking at what you can bring that you already own or buying second-hand are great options with numerous benefits.
• Look for labels. Ensure that what you are buying is labeled with third-party eco-labels, local, and ethically made products.

The goal of Stetson's recycling program is to divert as much material from the landfill as possible, and every individual needs to "do their part" to make a positive impact. Stetson has raised revenue through partnerships with other companies buying their electronic waste. Additionally, recycled materials (such as shelving, used furniture, filing cabinets, and used sinks) can be donated to Habitat for Humanity.

How to Recycle at Stetson

• Stetson has green recycling bins throughout campus and at dorms that are regularly collected for further sorting.
• Recycling must be: Properly cleaned and properly sorted.
• Properly cleaned because items that contain large amounts of food residue can contaminate recyclables and make it difficult or impossible to produce high-quality recycled materials. Therefore, the items that are contaminated are sent to the landfill because they are unable to be sold to buyers. Separating food and liquids from the items you recycle can prevent contamination.  
• Recyclable materials include paper, plastic, metal, and electronics. Some locations recycle using multiple bins that indicate which category they carry. Stetson has bins that separate plastic, paper, and metals.
• Look for these bins and flyers to recognize which items you can recycle!

What to Recycle

Paper Products

• Notebook Paper,Printer Paper, Paper Board (1 layer), Food Boxes, Cartons, Product Boxes, Books/magazines

Plastic/Metal

If items cannot fit in bins, place them next to bins.

• #1-6 Plastics
  • You can find the plastic number of most items by looking for the universal recycling symbol of the chasing arrows triangle. Within the symbol, there is a number ranging from 1-7.
• Bottles/Cups
• Milk/Juice Cartons
• Aluminum/Steel

Cardboard

If boxes cannot fit in bins, fold them up and place them next to or behind bins.

• Clean Cardboard (2 layers)

Electronics

Place all electronics next to bins for collection.

• Computers
• Phones
• Televisions
• Printers
• Batteries

Do Not Recycle

• Styrofoam, Wood Products, or Clothing Items
• Any other items not listed above

When in doubt, throw it out!

Conserving Water

When you run a faucet or turn on the shower, it not only consumes water but electricity as well. There are many simple ways you can reduce your water use and be more conscious about your impact:

• Take showers under 10 minutes
• Never leave your water running
• Run laundry and dishes in full loads
• Report any leaks that occur to be fixed

Limiting Energy Consumption

Every light switch, plugged-in appliance, and running AC unit consumes energy.

• Turn lights off in rooms when not in use and use natural light when possible.
• Be aware of "Energy Vampires" in the dark. Any item that is plugged in is still slowly using electricity. Simply unplugging these devices when you are not using them reduces your energy use.
• Use more energy-efficient appliances
• Use LED light bulbs
• Turn ceiling fans and other fans off when leaving your office, room, or classroom.
• Keep windows closed during hot and cold periods.
• Keep exterior doors shut to prevent the entry of hot, humid air
• Adjust thermostats appropriately when possible (View guide below)

How to Use Your Thermostat

Setting your thermostat to the right temperature can have huge benefits toward energy efficiency and reduce the need for higher maintenance

RLL has created guidance for students on temperature controls in different residence buildings. The guide provides residents with instructions on how to use their thermostats and explains how proper control and use of these thermostats will conserve energy.

Washing Laundry Sustainably

• When washing clothes always use cold water unless absolutely necessary.
  • Washing machines use 90% of the energy consumed during a wash cycle to heat up the water. Using cold water dramatically reduces this electricity use, lowering electricity bills and greenhouse gas emissions from your load.
  • What Happens if You Wash Clothes in Warm Water Instead of Cold Water?
• Opt out from liquid detergents and dryer sheets and instead try powdered detergents/laundry sheets (in recyclable boxes and made with nontoxic ingredients) and dryer balls.
  • Powdered detergents/ laundry sheets use significantly less water and are often stored in more sustainable packaging. Liquid detergents also have higher transportation emissions due to their heavier weight and larger storage needs. Choose brands that contain nontoxic ingredients to prevent toxic substance runoff into nearby ecosystems.
    • Laundry Sheets vs. Liquid and Powder Detergents: Which Is Greener?
  • Dryer balls last for years, making them reusable alternatives to throw-away dryer sheets that end up in landfills. Dryer sheets contain chemicals and fragrances that can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, asthma, and headaches. They also negatively affect the quality of clothing and leave behind a harmful residue in washers.
    • 4 Reasons to Skip Dryer Sheets (and What to do Instead)
    • Dryer Sheet Ingredient Safety

Meat Consumption Impacts

Consuming animal products, such as red meat puts a great strain on the environment and releases substantial amounts of gas emissions. For instance, the world produces about 17 metric gigatons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere through the processes of food production. Along with this, research is determining there are possible links between processed meat and red meat to colorectal cancer and other health concerns (i.e. high cholesterol, obesity, etc.)

You don't have to fully remove meat from your diet. Even reducing everyday meat consumption can make a huge impact.

Food Waste Impacts

About a third of the food produced in the United States (30-40%) gets wasted. A portion of this is from unused groceries and uneaten leftovers. As this waste decomposes, the GHG emissions CO2 and CH4 are released and contribute to global warming. 8-10% of all global emissions come from food waste rotting.

If we all reduce our food waste, Stetson as a whole will have a lower carbon footprint.

Stetson's Sustainable Dining Initiative

• Stetson's dining services offer an array of meat alternatives for those willing to reduce their consumption of meat-based meals for those needing accommodation. This includes vegetarianism, veganism, gluten-free, etc.
  • Reducing your consumption can look like only having meat a couple of times a week, reducing your everyday meat portion size, or eliminating high-impact proteins.
  • Not every protein has the same impact — beef takes far more resources to cultivate than pork or chicken.
• Eco-Clamshells are available to students as planet-friendly reusable to-go boxes. Simply ask a cashier in the Lynn Dining Commons.

Food Waste at Stetson

• "Weigh the Waste" Wednesdays: on Wednesdays, Stetson's Dining uses clear bins to collect food waste and show the student body the food that gets wasted.
• Stetson Dining participates in the Clean Your Plate Movement:
  • To support this initiative, only take as much food as you can eat. If you need more, you can always get seconds!

Sustainable Shopping/Cooking

• Choosing to cook meatless or less meat options significantly reduces your environmental impact.
• Look for brands with eco-friendly certifications including USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified, and Rainforest Alliance Certified. These certifications can indicate sustainable practices and better conditions for their workers.
• Avoid foods that are wrapped in single-use packaging. Biodegradable and reusable packaging avoids increasing landfill waste.
• Buy local food and ingredients. These items have a lower transportation impact and often come from smaller-scale farms with fewer environmental impacts. You can support these local farmers at events in DeLand such as the Night Market in Artisan Alley where a variety of local vendors sell food and items on Fridays from 6-9 p.m.
• Compost food waste when possible

Maintenance and Food Services

Ensuring proper maintenance can improve the longevity and reduce energy use of appliances. Submit a maintenance request if you notice an appliance issue in any residential building.

For all maintenance requests, visit the Stetson Facilities Request Form

For more information on the sustainability practices of our food services, visit Dine on Campus

With Stetson's close proximity to downtown DeLand, options that reduce your carbon footprint, improve your health, and save you money can be used to explore Stetson University and DeLand. Choosing transportation options with these benefits includes walking, cycling, and skateboarding. Carpooling and public transport can also provide these benefits and allow you to travel beyond the DeLand area. 

Walking/Bike Trails

Several walking and biking trails are available to the public on and off campus. The Greenway trail is one example that enables several park and downtown connections in DeLand. The Greenway trail will have an extension, currently being constructed, allowing easier access to the trail from Stetson. The AllTrails app can show individuals nearby walking/hiking/biking trails to explore. Check out some of the popular trails around DeLand.

Local Transportation

The DeLand Area offers VoRide van services that provide residents with a reliable transportation method for a reduced fare (about $2 per person).  When you're ready to leave, enter the VoRide app and tell them where you want to go within the entire Votran network. They'll show you the best way to get there whether it be a bus or a VoRide on demand ride. 

The VoRide shared ride micro-transit service operates corner to corner instead of door to door. The system assigns you a 'virtual bus stop' - which are pickup and drop-off points that are usually at a nearby corner. Download the app and set up an account to get started. 

Regional Transportation 

SunRail is a rail service that moves people throughout the region by providing work and leisure travel opportunities and connecting communities. The system currently operates over 61 miles with 17 stations through Volusia, Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties. The trip planner from DeLand station can be found here: DeLand / Amtrak - SunRail. 

How to get to the Orlando Airport affordably ($6) from Stetson DeLand campus using public transportation

Step 1 - VoRide

1. 1. Download App
   2. Schedule ride to the SunRail station via bus (31) or via VoRide station
   3. Cost - Free to the SunRail station

Step 2 - SunRail

1. 1. 1. Download App
      2. Buy a ticket to Lynx Central Station
      3. Cost - $4 one way ($7.50 round trip)

Step 3 - Lynx

1. 1. Download App
   2. Buy a ticket to Orland International Airport (MCO)
   3. Cost - $2 one way

Our Move Out Instructions page has info for mid-semester move-outs and links to our Fall move-out and Spring move-out instructions.  All of these instructions have a closing/move-out checklist.

 In our checklists students should do the following:

• Remove all trash and recycling from the room and dispose of it in the blue dumpsters and recycling bins located outside your building. We are updating this checklist item to "Keep, Donate, Recycle, Dispose."  This information (including Hatter Closet info) has been included in our bulletin boards in the halls, resident closing meetings/presentations, emails/social media, and other material, but I just noticed it is not checklist online!)
• Close and lock all windows and leave window blinds open with the slats tilted upwards
• Turn off all lights and fans
• If you have a thermostat:
  • Make sure the fan is set to "Auto" and turn the temperature back to the unoccupied* set point (82 degrees in cooling mode or 55 degrees in heating).
  • OR... Return the +/- 2-degree setting to "0."

• Advocate
• Have a plan after you go
• Know what not to put in a landfill
• Be a part of the reuse community (even as you leave)

Stay Connected

Find more sustainability tips through different social media and website platforms! Good places to start include: 

• Environmental Fellows Instagram
• Residental Living and Learning (RLL) Instagram
• Sustainability Website Pages
• IWER Website Page