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UTMB Earth Day Celebration  Friday, April 25, 2008
10 a.m. -  2 p.m.
 Moody Medical Library Plaza

 Questions contact Ken Steblein by email ksteblei@utmb.edu

                 
                               Shannon Strader, age 16
                                                                                                 Dickinson High School

This year's art contest theme, “Keen on Green Solutions,” encourages each of us to make recycling a part of our daily lives to keep our environment clean, healthy and beautiful. This year 20 schools participated with 153 entries.  The winning entry artist is Shannon Strader from Dickinson High School.

ONE LESS CUP… Save Money and the Environment

 

In conjunction with America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, UTMB, Sodexho and Morrisons are teaming up for the “One less cup” initiative. Beginning Nov. 15, employees will be able to use their own refillable cups in the cafeterias (Café on the Court, OJ’s, Rebecca Sealy Hospital, Greenhouse & Joe’s). Employees can bring a 22 ounce or smaller cup with them, and for 99 cents, they can fill it with their favorite fountain beverage. That’s a savings of 50 cents for each beverage, plus one less disposable cup going into a landfill.

April 28, 2006 

Dear Fellow UTMB Employees: 
 

Spring has sprung and summer is not far behind. With the rising temperatures come increased electricity bills as we try to keep our homes and work environments comfortable for living and working. Just as you have likely seen a increase in energy costs for your home, UTMB is experiencing a dramatic increase in energy expenses on campus. In fact, more than 2 percent of UTMB’s total $1.4 billion budget (about $30 million) is likely to be expended this year on necessary energy to run the hospitals, clinics, schools and the remainder of the UTMB campus.

That’s a lot of money. But there are ways that you and I can help the institution save on its electric bill, and as the chief officer for recycling and conservation at UTMB, I am asking you to join me in doing our part to save energy.

Most of us are aware of simple steps you can take to reduce electricity costs in your home, including:

• Get an AC tune up and change your air filters frequently
• Clean the outside condensing unit on your AC
• Set the thermostat at 78 degrees
• Install solar screens or solar tint on your windows
• Plant trees and shrubs around your home
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Insulate your attic

 Likewise, there are simple solutions that can help to decrease energy consumption in hospitals, offices and classroom settings, like these from Reliant Energy.

 Turn things off. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Turn off your computer when it is not in use or place it in “sleep mode” during long periods of inactivity. Every 1,000 kilowatts saved equals $70-$100 in cost savings. Don’t forget about copiers, scanners, fax machines and radios.

 Turn things down. If it can’t be turned off completely, then turn it down. Keep the temperature in frequently unoccupied rooms warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter. Dim the lights in hallways, where appropriate.  

Check for airflow. If there is little airflow when you hold your hand up to the air register, it may be time to call maintenance to check or clean the ductwork.

 Dress for comfort. Dress for the comfort of your work environment, but remember to keep it professional.

As an institution, UTMB continues to work on long-term solutions to energy conservation. Recycling, solar panel lighting, commuter van pools, and a four-phase

energy retrofit  that included high-efficiency lighting, power factor correction, water-conservation equipment, boiler economizers, low-nox burners, new chillers and remodeled cooling towers, continue to reduce consumption and save costs.

A little belt-tightening can go a long way toward shrinking UTMB’s energy costs. A goal of reducing UTMB’s energy consumption by 5 percent would be equivalent to:  

• The amount of electrical energy required to run 600 homes
• Taking 1,163 cars of the highways
• Saving 44 acres of trees

 I hope you will join in exercising a little common sense to help trim the fat from our energy budget. 

 Sincerely, 

Ben G. Raimer, M.D.

Conservation

EHS Pollution Prevention Program

E-Waste

Electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, fax machines, wireless devices, and other electronics contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These items should be handled in an environmentally responsible manner. Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is now offering an electronic device recycle program. The following is important for how UTMB manages e-waste:

• Any item with a UTMB identification tag must be returned to Inventory through Material Management Warehouse – Useable computers are donated to other state entities
• Broken computers and other electrical equipment are collected by Materials Management Warehouse staff for recycling
• Atos Origin provides computer hardware and service to UTMB – computers through this service are returned to Atos Origin
• If your department generates e-waste and is not managed in the above processes, please collect for recycle through EHS
• Schedule e-waste pick up on-line at: http://www.utmb.edu/ehs/epm/epm.html; click on the Chemical Waste Pick-up Request form

Used Batteries

If you generate used batteries please collect for appropriate handling through Environmental Health and Safety. The battery casing will specify category. It is important to separate batteries by the categories below:

• Nickel Cadmium (rechargeable power tool, radio, camera)
• Lithium (Battery terminals must be taped, capped or covered to prevent short circuiting) (cell phone, watch battery, medical monitoring equipment)
• Lead Acid (Battery terminals must be taped, capped, or covered to prevent short circuiting) (vehicle, computer)
• Alkaline (pager, flashlight)

For the batteries collected in your area label the collection box by specific category, for example "Universal Waste - Lithium Battery Disposal ONLY". Improper mixing of batteries could cause release of toxic materials or fire. Schedule battery pick up on-line at: www.utmb.edu/ehs/epm/epm.html. For more information on how UTMB manages e-waste please see EHS Pollution Prevention Programs at: http://www.utmb.edu/conservation/Articles/PreventionPrograms.asp

Mercury Replacement	ChemSwap

• Contact EHS for mercury thermometer replacement
• Be responsible when you purchase new equipment, buy Mercury-Free
• Need chemicals? Check out EHS Chemical Redistribution Program http://www.utmb.edu/ehs/EPM/Chemswap.htm

Disposal of Patient and Student Documentation
Memo from Richard S. Moore Vice President for Business and Administration
In order to be compliant with confidentiality requirements for patient and student information, UTMB is treating all documents being disposed of as potentially containing confidential information. The following recycling paper process procedures have been put in place to accomplish this campus wide. All UTMB paper recycling is to be treated as confidential files and must be secured at all times.

Recycle Ink Jet and Toner Cartridges
UTMB receives $1 for every ink jet cartridge returned and $1 to $8 for every toner cartridge in good condition that can be refurbished and/or refilled. Find out more on how to recycle ink jet and toner cartridges for your department.