University Sustainability

Defining Sustainability since 1899

GreenAppal Certification

Appalachian State University is living our commitment to sustainability and you are an integral part of this commitment and community. The daily choices you make matter. From personal wellness to active citizenship, water savings to energy usage, your choices help build a green community. Your household has an impact on the environment, your local economy, and the health of your community. App State has a major impact on our environment, our local economy and the health of our community. This represents who we, the App State Mountaineers, are.  And together, we can make a difference.<

This certification is meant to act as an educational tool to help develop habits that promote a more sustainable environment within an individual's living space. It recognizes students who have taken extra steps to ensure they are contributing to the university’s sustainability goals by “greening” their space — whether they live on or off campus — and lowering their daily impact.

Certification is contingent upon completing all requirements and filling out the online form. This certification is completely voluntary, and the Office of Sustainability will offer advice and assistance if requested.

An Office of Sustainability representative will review your application  and contact you via email to schedule a time to meet with you to award you your GreenAppal Certification.

If you have any questions about the certification or want to learn more about how to become involved in App State’s sustainability initiatives, contact our office at sustainability@appstate.edu.

How do I get certified? It’s simple!

On Campus: If you live on campus, please fill out the questionnaire.

Off Campus: If you live off campus please fill out the questionnaire.

GreenAppal Guide

Please use this guide to review the requirements for GreenAppal Certification. There are nine sections, plus a bonus question. You must select the minimum number of statements required for each section.

BE WELL

At least 5 statements must be selected in this section.

  • I get a physical exam each year.
  • I spend at least 30 minutes a day doing physical activity.
  • I don’t smoke or vape, or I am trying to quit.
  • I try to drink plenty of water (about 64 fl. oz. a day).
  • I get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
  • I talk to someone I trust whenever I am feeling worried, sad or stressed.
  • I regularly practice meditation, yoga or other mindfulness activities.
  • I take medication only as it is intended to be taken and do not share my prescriptions with others.
  • I use eco-friendly cleaning products when cleaning my space.

FOOD CHOICES

At least 5 statements must be selected in this section.

  • I choose vegetarian and vegan options whenever possible.
  • When I go to the grocery store, I buy local and/or organically produced food if able.
  • When given the choice, I choose to eat at locally owned restaurants instead of chain restaurants.
  • I buy fruits and vegetables that are in-season.
  • I limit the amount of highly processed foods I eat.
  • I buy food in bulk when possible.
  • I grow my own food and/or herbs, or I make use of community gardens such as App State’s Roots Garden (https://sustain.appstate.edu/initiatives/gardens/).
  • I use the food pantries and free stores located around campus (https://sustain.appstate.edu/initiatives/food-pantry/).

WATER CONSERVATION

At least 6 statements must be selected in this section.

  • I normally shower for less than 5 minutes.
  • I only run full loads of laundry in the washer.
  • I fill up a sink to wash dishes, rather than leave the water running.
  • I use a reusable water bottle.
  • I don’t flush my medications. Instead, I utilize a drug takeback program near me (https://apps.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispsearch/spring/main?execution=e1s1).
  • I turn off the water when I am brushing my teeth and/or shaving.
  • Whenever I notice a leaky faucet in my home, I immediately get it fixed.
  • I opt to take showers instead of baths.
  • If I use a dishwasher, I only run it when it is full.
  • I dispose of toxic chemicals such as gasoline and paint properly and do not pour them down the drain.

BE ENERGY SAVVY

At least 8 statements must be selected in this section.

  • I use LED light bulbs.
  • I do not use decorative lights (such as holiday lights) in my room.
  • I wash my clothes in cold water.
  • I use a drying rack or clothesline instead of the dryer.
  • I take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible and if able.
  • I use natural lighting instead of electrical lighting whenever possible.
  • I unplug appliances when they’re not in use, or use a smart power strip.
  • I charge my electronics with solar-powered chargers.
  • I don’t have a personal printer.
  • I keep my thermostat set at a reasonable temperature, regardless of the time of year.
  • I turn off the lights in rooms I am not using.
  • During cold winter days, I open my blinds during daylight hours and close them at night.
  • During warm summer days, I close my blinds during daylight hours and open them at night.
  • If I am a customer of App State’s New River Light and Power company, I am signed up for NRLP’s Green Power Program to help offset my monthly carbon-based electric use (https://nrlp.appstate.edu/green-power-program).

KEEPING APP STATE HEALTHY AND SAFE

At least 5 statements must be selected in this section.

THINK BEFORE YOU GO

At least 4 statements must be selected in this section.

  • If I drive, I generally go the speed limit to help conserve gas.
  • I choose to carpool or use local public transit whenever possible.
  • I walk or ride my bike when I can.
  • I do not own a car.
  • I keep up with my car’s maintenance.
  • I ride in and/or drive an electric-powered vehicle.
  • I signed up to be a Carbon Neutral Commuter when I purchased my parking pass (https://sustain.appstate.edu/initiatives/commuter/).
  • For long-distance travel, I opt to take the train instead of driving or flying when possible.
  • When I do fly, I choose to fly economy class, rather than business or first class.
  • I only pack what I need when traveling.

BE GOOD IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

At least 5 statements must be selected in this section.

  • I follow the news to stay informed about local, state, national and international affairs.
  • I am respectful of others, no matter how different their way of life may be from my own.
  • I refrain from littering and clean up after myself in public spaces.
  • I vote in local, county, state and national elections for which I am eligible.
  • I refrain from purposefully damaging or defacing the property of others, including university-owned buildings and supplies.
  • I participate in community events, such as the Boone Vintage Market.
  • I regularly do volunteer work within my community.
  • When I feel sick, I wear a face covering in public.

WASTE NOT/USE LESS STUFF

At least 10 statements must be selected in this section.

  • When I no longer want an item, I either donate it or give it away if I can.
  • If possible, I share supplies with my friends and roommates instead of buying my own.
  • Before making a purchase, I make sure I truly need it.
  • I purchase quality items to ensure that they last longer.
  • I do not purchase bottled water.
  • I always try to shop at thrift or used goods stores before anywhere else.
  • I purchase used books or rent my textbooks whenever possible.
  • I regularly use reusable bags when shopping.
  • I avoid eating with disposable items such as utensils, plates, cups and straws.
  • I take my leftovers home in reusable containers whenever I go out to eat.
  • When food goes bad, I choose to compost it instead of throwing it away.
  • Whenever possible, I choose to buy items that are made from recycled materials or that can be composted or recycled.
  • I take notes electronically, opt-in for paperless billing and take other actions to reduce my paper waste.
  • Whenever I brew my own coffee, I use a drip coffee machine.
  • I use reusable dryer balls and/or do not use dryer sheets.
  • I use reusable mugs and containers whenever possible.
  • I use reusable towels or air dryers instead of paper towels whenever possible.
  • I dispose of my batteries and electronics by sorting them into the proper electronic waste bins located in the Student Union or at some other electronic waste collection site.
  • I properly sort my waste into recycling, trash and compost.

INVOLVEMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

At least 1 statement must be selected in this section.

  • I follow the Office of Sustainability's Instagram account (@sustainappalachian).
  • I attend at least one Office of Sustainability event per semester.
  • I belong to one or more environmental groups, either on campus or elsewhere.
  • I have recruited at least one other person to participate in the GreenAppal Certification program.

BONUS!

In this section, you can list other ways you practice a sustainable lifestyle. You do not need to complete this section to be eligible for GreenAppal Certification.

I pledge that all of the above statements are true and that I will continue to act in a way that is consistent with the conditions of this certification.

  • Yes
  • No