ELD Sustainable Practices Task Force

1. ELD Sustainable Practices Task Force Draft Guidelines

2. Task Force Charge ELD Sustainable Practices Task Force is charged with investigating ways that ELD and ASEE as a whole might move forward toward more sustainable practices including, but not limited to, conferences, publications, mailings, and others. The ELD Task Force should produce two sets of recommendations/guidelines for ELD to consider: Recommendation #1: Focus specifically on what ELD can do. Recommendation #2: Address what might be done more broadly. This second set of recommendations would be taken by the ELD Chair to the PIC IV Chair for possible consideration by the ASEE Board.

3. Task Force Members • Jill Dixon, co-chair, Binghamton University • Stephanie Hartman, co-chair, Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Christine Drew, Worchester Polytechnic Institute • Gretchen Sneff, Temple University • Mary Strife, West Virginia University

4. Guideline Recommendations General Business • Conduct ELD business electronically whenever possible • Encourage use of recycled material and natural inks for all necessary printed material • Provide opportunities for virtual participation in ELD meetings and conferences • Encourage business partnerships with organizations willing to work with ELD on sustainability • Do not use mailing lists that have not been maintained. A mailing list more than 2 years old is usually unreliable

5. Guideline Recommendations Conferences • Encourage selection of event sites, including hotels, and exhibitors that have sustainable programs and/or a willingness to work with ELD on creating a sustainable conference • Encourage selection of event sites in close proximity to one another and to conference facilities to allow for easy commute by public transit, bus or walking • Support green energy policies such as keeping room at reasonable temperatures • Encourage and enable attendees to share transportation to/from conference and other events

6. Guideline Recommendations Conferences (cont.) • Investigate availability of sustainable services in cities under considerations • Encourage attendees to sign a green pledge

7. Guideline Recommendations Materials & Handouts • Encourage use of online conference registration • Promote conference and events via electronic means • Encourage use of electronic-only conference programs: • Do not provide print copy to each attendee • Provide print copies for reference at key locations throughout event site • Post online and make accessible via conference computers • Encourage use of electronic handouts and provide a link to all session handouts

8. Guideline Recommendations Materials & Handouts (cont.) • Provide wireless connectivity to download materials onsite • Encourage attendees to bring laptop to view materials and facilitate note taking • Encourage use of recycled material and natural inks for necessary printed material, including signage, programs, badges, etc. • Create reusable signage (no dates/locations) whenever possible • Encourage attendees to bring their own tote bags and extras to exchange with others or recycle bags

9. Guideline Recommendations Materials & Handouts (cont.) • Set up a system for making photocopies on demand instead of over-printing materials • Encourage use of electronic presentations and distributing handouts electronically to eliminate paper waste • Use double-sided copies

10. Additional Suggestions • Use ELD Wiki to create a sustainability resources guide withinformation and resources for librarians to advocate green practices at their own institutions • Encourage presentations/posters on “greening your library” • Publish an article (or regular column) about sustainability in the ELD Newsletter

11. ELD Sustainable Task Force Wiki: http://eldwiki.lib.ucdavis.edu/index.php/Sustainable_Practices_Task_Force