Prepared by the UK Office of Sustainability

View this email in your browser

April 2019 Sustainability eNews

As the year comes to a close, check out all of the exciting sustainability initiatives happening on campus this month!

Join us on April 23rd from 12:30 PM -2:30 PM in the Gatton Student Center for the Sustainability Showcase

The Office of Sustainability, the Student Government Association and Greenthumb are hosting an inaugural event called the Sustainability Showcase on April 23rd from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM in the Gatton Student Center at UK. The goal of this event is to demonstrate sustainability's multi-faceted nature to make it more accessible for students, staff, and faculty. Come learn about the different sustainability related organizations, degree programs and operational units on campus.

Commute Club Applications Open Wednesday, April 10

**originally printed in UKNow

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 9, 2019) — Going car-free on the University of Kentucky campus has its advantages. One of the many benefits is the ability to participate in Commute Club, a program that rewards students and employees for making a one-year, car-free commitment. Applications for the 2019 Commute Club open Wednesday, April 10. The deadline to apply for this free program is Saturday, Aug. 31.

Commute Club is a program offered by UK Transportation Services in which members agree to forego purchasing a regular vehicle parking permit for one fiscal year, although they still have access to a limited number of single-day permits for occasional use. Transportation Services financially supports Commute Club to reduce campus parking demand, traffic congestion and to support sustainable transportation options. Commute Club is designed to facilitate mobility alternatives by providing amenities that make it more convenient to travel to, from and around campus without a car.

Membership is open to students and employees. Benefits vary based on the group and include:

Zipcar (car sharing) or Spin (bike sharing) membership and credits (on-campus residents and employees).
Guaranteed Ride Program (off-campus residents and employees), a program that offers reimbursement for taxi and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.
Ability to purchase up to 50 single-day parking permits (off-campus residents and employees).
New this year, the ability to participate in a Commuter Rewards Program, allowing members to earn points for each emissions-friendly commute they log and redeem those points for prizes on an annual basis.

Those who apply for Commute Club in April will be notified of their status in the club in May and should expect to attend an orientation and information session in June. Club benefits begin on July 1.

Read more about the Commute Club and apply here: www.uky.edu/transportation/commuteclub.

The UK campus has a wide array of alternative transportation options, including the Bike Voucher Program, the Cash Out Program and the Big Blue Cycles fleet for residential students. These programs are designed to simplify the process of shifting from driving a vehicle to campus to another mode of transportation, and to reward those individuals who make the change in their routine. Applications for these programs will open later in April.

For more information on campus transportation options, parking, permit application, motorist assistance, bicycle parking, bus routes and schedules, visit www.uky.edu/transportation and follow UK Transportation Services on Twitter @UKParking.

UK Recycling Presents the New Recycling Resources Map

UK Recycling is excited to publish their interactive resource map that shows all of Lexington’s thrift, re-sell, and repair stores, as well as the donation and recycling centers throughout the city. This comprehensive map will serve as a one stop resource for students, faculty, and staff looking to curb decrease waste. The interactive map includes resources for people hoping to find new life for their clothing, shoes, furniture, books, electronics, bikes, and much more!

As a society, we are currently experiencing a waste crisis. This practice of continually sending gently used items to the landfill has huge impacts on our environment through depleting natural resources while also polluting oceans and waterways. By being more aware of our consumption and use of items, we can develop habits that are more environmentally friendly as well as being easier on our wallets.

So, what can you do? You can try to move away from this throw-away culture by finding new life for your items! This can include repairing, re-selling, or donating what you have instead of sending it to the landfill. When you’re wanting something new, try shopping at a thrift or second hand store to get gently used and unique items. Luckily for you, finding these stores and locations is now easier with the interactive resources map!

Opportunities & Resources:

Learn more about the University of Kentucky's Sustainability Strategic Plan here.
Apply to the Student Sustainability Council for funding for your sustainability related project. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. Find the application and meeting schedule here.

**If you have a story that you want included in Sustainability eNews, please email jenniferdai14@uky.edu

Copyright © 2019 University of Kentucky Office of Sustainability, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list