Warm and windy alternatives are powerful
■The United States
consu mes 26 percent of the
world’s energy, but there are
some less wasteful solutions
By Eleanor Pierce
for the Emerald
Because of the impact tradition
al sources of energy such as oil,
coal and nuclear power have on
the environment, many eco-con
scious individuals and organiza
tions are practicing and encourag
ing energy conservation as well as
a shift to renewable energy
sources.
Energy usage accounts for ap
proximately 80 percent of air pol
lution, according to the Alliance
to Save Energy. The 1996-1997
American Almanac states that
while Americans account for
only 5 percent of the world’s
population, we consume about
26 percent of the world’s energy.
Renewable energy sources re
ceive praise because they have a
much lower environmental im
pact than coal, oil power, hydro
electric power or nuclear power
plants, according to the ASE. Two
sources of renewable power that
consumers in Eugene can use in
their homes are solar power and
wind power, according to the Eu
gene Water and Electric Board.
One way in which people use
the sun’s energy is by building
structures that use the sun to heat
water for bathing and laundry.
Commonly, a solar collector plate
placed on the roof of the home
heats water, which is then stored
in a well-insulated tank.
Because these systems can’t
work when the sun is not shining,
most homes installed with solar
water heating systems also have
backup systems, according to
EWEB.
The energy of the sun can also
be made into electricity by using
photovoltaic cells, also known as
PV cells. PV cells are used in cal
culators and watches, but can also
be used on a much larger scale for
business and personal use. PV
power is most commonly used in
remote locations where power is
not readily available.
The alternative power source is
also limited by the fact that it cannot
work when the sun is down, ac
cording to the American Almanac.
Wind power, however, is not as
limited as solar energy. In addition,
wind power is not produced at in
dividual homes, and therefore does
not require any special equipment
at the home of the consumer. For
that reason, wind power could be
classified as a more viable choice
for consumers than solar energy, ac
cording to theASE.
EWEB offers its customers the
option of requesting that a per
centage of their electricity be pro
vided by wind power generated in
Wyoming.
Individuals can reduce their en
ergy consumption in a number of
ways without changing to a re
newable energy source. For col
lege students in particular, a solar
panel may not be an option.
Simple changes such as turning
down heat at night, however, and
making sure lights are off in rooms
not in use can make a difference in
the amount of energy that is used,
according to EWEB.
For people who are concerned
about energy consumption, there
are volunteer opportunities avail
able for students who wish to get
involved. One avenue for involve
ment is the Solar Information Cen
ter, which is focused on alterna
tive forms of energy use. The SIC
is also useful to people who are
just looking for information about
renewable energy.
“We’re actively seeking volun
teers,” SIC co-director Benjamin
Gates said.
The SIC is a student group fund
ed primarily by the ASUO and
EWEB. The SIC is associated with
the University’s school of archi
tecture,and functions as a re
search, education and informa
tion center on solar and
alternative energy sources.
The SIC sponsors a number of
speakers and events regarding al
ternative energy throughout the
academic year. These events are
generally held on Tuesdays.
More information is available in
the Winter/Spring 2000 SIC
newsletter, which can be found
outside the SIC, located in 219
Lawrence.
Energy use decisions “definitely
fall on the individual consumer,”
said Stacey Weinkauf, the SIC’s ed
ucational outreach coordinator.
Free Frees
In honor of Barth Pay
Sundance will give
away 1000
fir seedlings
12-7PM Saturday
April 22nd
Sprouts - easy and fun to grow and eat
Sundance's extensive collection of sprouting seeds includes alfalfa, broccoli, clover, cabbage,
fenugreek, lentils, mung, whole peas, radish, sunflower, and hard red wheat
NATURAL FOODS
Open Daily 7am-11pm • 24th & Hilyard
343-9142
Sprouting Lids
3-packs
$2.99 reg $3.39
Offers Good April 20- April 30
Nourishing Our Community since 1971
Center rejuvenates awareness
■The Recycling Center now collects 40 percent of campus
waste, making UO one of the nation’s most active
By Alana Lynn
for the Emerald
Recycling is one of the best
methods for waste management
that is simple and affordable for
students. Recyclable goods can
be plastic, paper, bottles, cans,
metals, cardboard, batteries and
even food.
The University's Recycling
Center is responsible for the
more than 1,501) recycling collec
tion points located around cam
pus. Oftentimes, it is easy to for
get that the green bins
strategically placed around cam
pus are not there for efficiency
but rather in an effort to control
our waste stream.
The Recycling Center was
founded by a group of students
in 1991 who were adamant
about controlling the waste
stream on campus.
“People have taken ownership
of this program,” program man
ager Karyn Kaplan said. “This
program is built on the energy of
the students.”
The Recycling Center is fund
ed by student incidental fees, the
University administration, Uni
versity Housing and the revenue
generated from recycled paper.
In 1991, the Recycling Center
was collecting 10 percent of the
University waste stream in recy
clable goods, now the program is
recovering 40 percent, Kaplan
said. This increase can be con
tributed to the increase of recy
cling points around campus, and
the increased awareness of the
impact that we have on the
preservation of the earth.
Currently, Americans throw
away 260 million trees worth of
paper every year, she said. The
need to change our habits about
environmental awareness is be
ing addressed.
“People are becoming more
progressive and are noticing
their impact on the earth,” said
Pete Chism, student recycling
coordinator. By simply recycling
paper and other recyclable
goods, we can save energy and
cause a reduction in acid rain,
global warming and air pollu
tion, he said.
Kaplan says that while recy
cling does help to curb the prob
lem of the increasing waste
stream, it is not the only solution
“There are many ways that we
can reduce our waste,” she said.
Some small ways that can add
up big are to buy packages with
minimal packaging, use cloth
bags when at the grocery store
and avoid products that are not
recyclable.
“One of the biggest contributors
to waste that I see on this campus
is coffee cups that are left on the
ground,” said Dylan Darling, a
junior journalism major.
K|%|l| • pipyble
The Recycling Center stresses
that student involveipent in the
recycling program offers tremen
dous job and leadership opportu
nities.
“This job offers students not
just a job but learning opportuni
ty,” Kaplan said.
The Student Recycling Pro
gram offers an array of opportu
nities for students and employs a
student staff of 45 to collect the
recycled material. Jobs, intern
ships, and volunteer opportuni
ties are all available through the
Recycling Center.
The recycling program is in
volved in the University Recy
cling Council, which was organ
ized in 1992 as an information
exchange between universities
in the Northwest quadrant to
learn more about "waste reduc
tion, recycling and waste man
agement issues.
Through this council, the Stu
dent Recycling Program has ex
panded its knowledge to help
the University become one of the
most active recycling campuses
in the United States. Darling em
phasized that everyday changes
can make a significant difference
{ ( One of the biggest
contributions to waste
that I see on this campus
is coffee cups that are left
on the ground.
Dylan Daring
junior, journalism major
coordinator ▲4
in the recycling effort.
“The key is to learn the guide
lines and rules of recycling,”
Darling said. “By simply using a
refillable coffee cup and recy
cling the paper we use on a daily
basis, we can help control the
waste stream”
With Earth Day arriving Satur
day, the Recycling Center is
working in a joint effort with the
Survival Center to help stress the
importance of recycling.
The theme of this year’s Earth
Day celebration is “Solutions”
with an emphasis on sustainable
living and presentations on recy
cling and reducing consumption.
• Recycle * Recycle,