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Annenberg School for Communication - Penn

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Founded in 1959 through the generosity and vision of diplomat and philanthropist Walter Annenberg, the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania is devoted to furthering our understanding of the role of communication in public life through research, education and service.
 
Green Initiatives at Annenberg UPenn
 
September 2011 ASC rolled out a program to reduce paper usage at printers and copiers at the School for Communication and the Annenberg Public Policy Center. Each month, users are given a report of how much they have printed; where they ranked in paper usage among all users; and the total amount of paper printed in both buildings. In the first eight months of 2011, the amount of paper equaled 3 1/2 tons. The users are notified individually by e-mail, and the information is confidential. This effort is aimed at raising awareness among users about their paper use.
 
March 2011: ASC issues a report of its green initiatives in 2010. (See documents for the guidelines.)
 
September 2010: A comprehensive guide to recycling at the Annenberg Public Policy Center and the Annenberg School for Communication is released for the new school year. (See documents for the guidelines) The document was disseminated via an email blast as well as posted in recycling areas in the buildings and on the website. A central recycling center is planned at ASC, and APPC will contribute recyclable items. Annenberg goes beyond Penn's guidelines by also recycling cell phones, CFLs  and batteries. The Annenberg Green Team developed the guidelines.
 
July 2010: The Annenberg Green Team at the Annenberg School for Communication and the Annenberg Public Policy Center organized a book drive to "recycle" books to Philadelphia Reads (an organization that provides Philadelphia teachers with classroom books), Books Through Bars (a program that provides educational marterials to inmates) and city public libraries, which hold book sales to raise funds.

 

The Green Team also initiated a Most Wanted Poster that is periodically circulated via email to point out recyclables that have ended up in the trash. (See documents for an example). This is part of an ongoing educational process to the staff about the many items that are recycled in the buildings.

March 2010: Annenberg Green Team Formed

ASC and APPC staff members teamed up  in March to form the Annenberg Green Team. The team also is working with the University of Pennsylvania’s new Staff Eco-Reps program, a volunteer group representing different schools, departments and centers.  At its first meeting, team members brainstormed immediate and long-term proposals. Below are some of the ideas:

  • Contributing Green Tips to the monthly staff newsletter: The first tip could be a seasonal one about CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), community gardens, and possible organizing a staff vegetable share for the office gardeners.
  • Eliminating disposable coffee cups and cutlery: The BYO policy for internal staff events could be promoted with a giveaway such as a free coffee mug
  • Promoting the university’s pen recycling program
  • Using desk lamps as alternative to overhead lighting
  • Adding motion sensors for bathroom lighting
  • Setting up a special meeting for event planners to discuss how to throw a sustainable event
  • Creating an opt-in list serv for Annenberg community to promote the reuse and recycling of personal possessions
  • Making double-sided printing the default
  • Measuring the amount of paper used in printers and copiers – reducing by 10%
  • Replacing Keurig coffee machine with environmentally friendly alternative
  • Installing electric hand dryers
  • Combining efforts on composting
  • Doing a feasibility stuff for a green roof for ASC

 

 
 
 
This summer, the Annenberg School for Communication will be deploying an "ecoFont" on all its workstations.  EcoFonts can help you print using up to 25% less ink.  Here is a link:
 
 
Another initiative we are investigating is the adoption of high end videoconferencing and distance learning technologies.  Check out the YouTube video of the Cisco TelePresence installation at Duke University with the link below.
 
 
Please stay posted for more.

Last modified at 9/30/2011 2:25 PM  by Ellen Iwamoto