Ride for Free, Be Gasoline-Free on Monday!

As part of its efforts to make the Loyola Schools an ecologically sustainable campus, nurtured by an environmentally responsible community, the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition (AEMC), endorsed by the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools, and in partnership with E-SaVe Transport Systems, Inc., launches the pilot run of electric tricycles within the Ateneo campus.


Mechanics of the Pilot Run:
From 7 December -18 December and from 6 January - 22 January, two e-Trikes will be running the route from Gate 2.5 to Gonzaga Hall and to Gate 3.5. The e-Trikes will be operating from 6am -8 pm daily, Mondays to Fridays. The fare for each ride is the same as with the conventional trikes - P15.00 for a special trip or P7.50 per person if there are two or more. For the pilot run, the maximum number of passengers per e-Trike is 3.

For more information on our electric vehicle partner, E-SaVe Transport Systems, Inc., please visit: http://www.esavetransport.com/
More on e-Trikes here.

Copenhagen Conference for Climate Change

In 2012, the Kyoto Protocol will expire. But fear not, for starting this December 7 until 18, the city of Copenhagen in Denmark will be hosting the 15th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP15). During this conference, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) hopes to find a way for countries to come together and work towards mitigating climate change.

With 15,000 participants from 192 countries expected, the conference is a major event and will hopefully be the grounds for major change in this world. Everyone knows that climate change is a huge problem and we cannot ignore the signs any longer. Representatives from many different sectors of society will be coming together to go over the problems, come up with solutions and mitigating measures, and hopefully reach an agreement that benefits all, especially Mother Earth.

Even all the way here in the Philippines, this conference and its outcome will affect the lives of future generations. So how can YOU do your part in all this? Go and Seal the Deal! Sign up at http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/ to be part of the UN Worldwide Campaign on Climate Change! You may also visit the Hopenhagen site here and sign the UN Climate Petition!

We may not be in Copenhagen, but we can join the rest of the world in saying NO to climate change and YES to a better future.

For more information, you may visit:
http://en.cop15.dk/frontpage

MVP Food Wares Rental Guidelines

Guidelines on how to borrow food wares for your organization's events

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The Ateneo e-Trike

Carbon emissions, nonrenewable energy, climate change—these are terms often used to convince us to be more conscious about our petroleum consumption. The basic rationale for this is that more cars lead to greater gas consumption thereby increasing carbon emissions and, in the end, aggravating an already seriously affected global climate. For those who can, carpooling or taking mass transportation is definitely the better, smarter option.

In the case of air pollutant generation, a smaller vehicle does not necessarily mean lesser emissions. One dirty carbureted tricycle produces the pollution equivalent of 50 modern automobiles.* Carbureted tricycles emit more air pollutants (particulates, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide) than gasoline cars.*

Here in the Loyola Schools, the shift towards a more ecologically sustainable campus will now be taken to the streets as the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition introduces the pilot run of the Ateneo Electric Tricycle (e-Trike).

E-Trikes are powered by an electric motor, rather than a combustion engine. Thus, they have zero emissions and generate almost no noise making them a more appropriate choice of public transport vehicle within the school. In addition, the comparatively low cost of operations and maintenance makes it a more economically viable source of income for tricycle drivers and operators.

E-Trikes will be launched this December 7 (Monday), 8:30 am at Xavier Hall. All rides on the e-Trike will be given for free on its launching day. For more information and updates on the e-Trike project add us on facebook: Ateneo e-Trike.

*All data taken from “Partnering for a Clean and Green Philippines” presentation by E-Save Transportation System, Inc.

Dreaming of a Green Christmas

Christmas is in the air! And that means a lot of preparations from planning the feasts, asking who is willing to go with you when Simbang Gabi comes around, making wish lists, shopping for gifts, to of course putting up the decorations. It is definitely a season for celebration, more so for the electricity companies when they send your bills out.

How to brighten up your Christmas without making your electricity bill depressing:
1. Switch to LED lights! They’re a little more expensive, but last much longer and use 80-90% less power than conventional mini bulbs. They also come in an assortment of shapes, sizes and colors.
2. If you’re willing to spend a little more, switch to solar-powered lights. This is especially good for outdoor lighting.
3. Don’t leave your lights on for too long.
4. Recycle parols and ornaments. Get creative!
5. No matter how excited you are, try to hold off setting up your Christmas décor until December at least. Just because everyone else is setting up by September doesn’t mean that you have to as well.
6. Don’t leave appliances on standby. Doing so still wastes energy and will be reflected in your electricity bill. Unplug appliances when not in use. (This also goes for your cell phone chargers.)
7. It is the “–ber” season for a reason! If it is chilly outside, do not use your air-conditioner. Open your windows instead. Or use an electric fan.
8. Instead of staying indoors all the time, go outside! Go to Christmas festivals and fairs (such as the one by Riverbanks, Marikina), bazaars and shows.
9. You don’t even have to drive around. Spare yourself the hassle of driving through traffic and finding a place to park by commuting.
10. You can even carpool so that you enjoy the sights with other people you know.
11. Celebrate Christmas in reunions or community celebrations instead of just at home. Be sure to use reusables, not disposables!
12. Don’t just watch TV or stare at your computer screen while at home. Play board games, charades and bond with your family and friends. Christmas isn’t a time for yourself but a time to be with others.

A few facts:
1. Cheap lights are more likely to cause fires. The money you’ll also save will go to your electricity bill.
2. The average strand of traditional Christmas lights pulls about 1 amp, which is roughly the same as a 100 watt light bulb.
3. LED rope Christmas lights can be used indoors and outdoors. They last 10 times longer than traditional rope lights and use 90% less electricity. They don’t heat up and are even water and weather resistant.

The Christmas-light-source.com has a Christmas Lights Electricity Cost Calculator complete with instructions how to calculate just how much you spend on Christmas lights. (The amount is in dollars, though, but you can easily convert the amount because YOU are one SMART, ECO-FRIENDLY ATENEAN!)

For more tips on how to have an eco-firendly holiday, visit national geographic!
Have a Merry Christmas!!!

How to join a Carpool Group

Join a carpool group through 3 easy steps:

1) Sign up at the DSWS room as heading (providing a car) or looking (sharing a ride).
2) DSWS will do the matching according to location and proximity. Wait for announcements through text.
3) Avail of carpool passes once the documents are processed in OAS.

It's that easy!

The New Deposit System

Something's buzzing this second semester! Starting November 16, all major cafeterias (JSEC, AMPC and Blue and Gold Cafeteria) will be introducing a new system for diners- The Deposit Scheme.

For JSEC, aside from the normal food prices, customers will be paying an additional fee corresponding to the plates and utensils borrowed (spoon= 5php; fork=5php; plates= 10php; tumblers= 10php). Upon returning the borrowed materials to the centralized deposit station, customers may get their refund. For instance, a rice meal costs 50php. Customers may rent a plate, spoon or fork or just a plate and will thereby pay an additional 20php or 10php, respectively. After eating, the deposit fee may be reclaimed upon returning the utensils to the Distribution and Deposit Claiming Area (DDCA). Customers who will present their own baunan need not pay for any deposit fee.


For AMPC and Blue and Gold cafeterias, customers who will dine-in need not pay any deposit fee while customers who wish to bring-out plates and utensils will need to pay for the deposit fee (sporks=2php; plates/baunan= 18php, tumblers regardless of size= 13php). These plates/baunans and utensils are different and are distinguishable from dine-in wares. There will be people stationed at each entrance and exit points to check the wares. For Blue and Gold cafeteria, utensils borrowed are to be returned to the same food stall he or she has borrowed it. For AMPC, borrowed utensils are to be returned to the Distribution and Deposit Claiming Area (DDCA). Customers who will present their own baunan will still receive discounts and need not pay for any deposit fee.


Through this system, not only do we hope to reduce the amount of lost plates, tumblers and utensils but also to help further develop Ateneans as responsible consumers.

Be part of the change. Join the e-Bee army! Visit the Hive (LS Bookstore) to join or http://ls.ateneo. edu/aemc for more details.

AEMC this November

Lead the Pack: A Call to All Youth Environment Leaders

Science says that the alarming signs of the environment's deteriorating condition will continue to be evident. And after the massive headlines of Ondoy's destruction and the multiple typhoons that followed, the new semester begins with the Atenean community cleaning up the act. Joining forces with the Ateneo Environmental Science Society, the Philippine Youth Environment Network, or PhilYEN, will hold its Inaugural Conference this November 2009.

Endorsed by the United Nations Environmental Program under the directive of the South East Asian Youth Environmental Network and Earth Day Network Philippines, PhilYEN seeks to empower the youth to be catalysts in the healing of a much wounded planet. In doing so, PhilYEN extends to all other youth networks forming alliances, bridging collaborations and establishing partnerships among young environment leaders from various regions of the nation. A common platform will be provided wherein environmental initiatives for green advocacy, sustainable development, and responsible mountaineering will be fervently pursued and generated. Here, youth leaders will be advised, informed and encouraged to implement the environmental projects within their very own spheres of influence, their school and communities.

In this prevention, PhilYEN encourages students to join the Inaugural Conference to be held on the 19th and 20th of November 2009 at the Leong Hall and MVP Roof deck, of the Ateneo de Manila University. Keynote addresses will be given by DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee and environmental lawyer Atty. Tony Oposa. For more details and inquiries, interested students may log on to http://philippineyen.tk/ and be their own leaders of change.

New Rizal Library, Green Building

This November 16, the Loyola Schools community will be welcoming the opening of its newest building yet, the new Rizal Library. A little sneak peek into the new library was offered by Mrs. Lourdes T. David, Rizal Library Director: the circulation desk and information desk will both be at the ground floor and aside from two multi-media viewing rooms (MMR), an additional two MMRs dedicated for small groups or individuals were added. The design of the library definitely took the needs of the community in mind, considering the growing collection and providing greater seating capacity for the library users. The library aims to "provide a learning space that will actively engage students in their pursuit of knowledge" said Mrs. David.

Aside from being a modern library, the new Rizal library also incorporates green building concepts. The library was designed to allow more efficient consumption of energy and water. One way by which energy consumption will be made more efficient is by orienting the building such that its windows are not facing the west and east. This will keep the building from receiving direct sunlight, minimizing the rise in temperature thereby decreasing the energy needed for air conditioning. Other energy efficient technologies featured in the library are light bulbs that require less energy and air and water inlets for natural cooling instead of air conditioning.

Water conservation, meanwhile, will be done through rainwater harvesting technology. The roof of the library is slanted to direct the water to a rain catchment cistern. From there, collected rainwater will be used for flushing toilets in the building. The use of dual piping keeps the rainwater separate from potable water.

Clean Up Your Act!

It's about time that the Atenean finally does what he can.
It's about time that the Atenean clean up his act!

Continuing their vision of an ecologically sustainable campus nurtured by an environmentally responsible community, the Ateneo Environmental Management Coalition begins the new semester with a committed line of projects yet again. With three premier projects, The Ateneo student body is encouraged to involve themselves and take measure into their own hands. After all, it is these hands that carry the weight of the very planet we live in.

In these efforts, listed below are the following concrete initiatives that the Atenean may take for each AEMC project:


PROJECT: Vemicomposting Seminar

A lesser known effort currently being employed in the campus is vermicomposting. Vermicomposting is a waste-to-resource procedure that converts biodegradable wastes, produced in the campus, into soil conditioners. To support this activity, a facility was recently built near Faura Hall early this year. To this day, the facility is fully operational.

YOU CAN:

1. Learn more about this green technology, its processes and impacts on waste reduction, on November 18 (Wednesday), 4:30 to 6:00 pm at SEC Lec C.
2. Visit the vermicomposting site yourself and see its wonders!
3. Make sure you throw your biodegradable wastes in the right bin so it directly goes to the vermicompositng facility.

PROJECT: e-Bee Army

Something is buzzing this November, and that is the call for Ateneans to be part of the e-Bee Army. The e-Bee Army (Environmentally Responsible Bee) is a team who will advocate for environmental consciousness and action among students in the community.

YOU CAN:

1. Watch out for them at JSEC, Gonzaga Cafeteria and Manang's on the second week of November and learn about how to be a volunteer for the e-Bee Army.
2. Volunteer for the e-Bee Army.
3. Invite your friends to join!

PROJECT: Paper Drive

Around 16% of the total solid waste of the LS is paper, 9% of which is wet because it gets mixed up with liquids and grease from food and drinks when not thrown in the right bin! Wet paper is rendered useless for sale to recyclers.

*Statistics from AEMC Waste Audit Report last June 2008

YOU CAN:

1. Make sure you throw your paper waste in the correct bin so it doesn't get wet!
2. This semester, don't let you scratch papers go to waste. Collect not only used white papers but also old school readings, newspapers, flyers, cardboard boxes, etc.
3. Bring them over to the AEMC Paper Drive on November 21 (Saturday) at SEC C Foyer and turn your trash to cash!
4. OR! You can even reuse old scratch papers and photocopied readings as notepads, etc. if you don't want to give them away.

Paper Drive

How much paper waste does Ateneo generate? Around 16% of the total solid waste of the LS is paper, 9% of which is wet because it gets mixed with liquids and grease from food and drinks when not thrown in the right bin! Wet paper is rendered useless for sale recyclers. This semester, don't let your scratch papers go to waste (literally). Bring them over to the AEMC Paper Drive this November 21 (Saturday) at SEC C Foyer and turn your trash to cash!

*Statistics from AEMC Waste Audit Report last June 2008

e-Bee Army

Something is buzzing this November, and that is the call for Ateneans to be part of the e-Bee Army. The e-Bee army (Environmentally Responsible Bee) is a team who will advocate for environmental consciousness among student sin the community. Watch out for them at JSEC, Gonzaga Cafeteria and Manang's on the second week of November and learn about how to be a volunteer for the e-Bee Army.

Vermicomposting Seminar

Efforts by the Loyola Schools community to gear the community towards environmental awareness and ethical consumption are not limited to the Bring You Own Baunan (BYOB) scheme. A lesser known effort being employed is vermicomposting, a waste-to-resource conversion process. A vermicomposting facility built near Faura Hall is currently used to process biodegradable wastes produced in the campus into soil conditioners.

Learn more about this green technology, its processes and impacts on waste reduction, on November 18 (Wednesday), 4:30 to 6:00 pm at SEC Lec C.

1st Issue

LS Packaging Guidelines for SY2009-2010

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