Our team, the RoboHawks, has decided to pursue the "going green" idea presented by our school this year. In order to help other teams, we have dedicated this portion of our website to informing others about the steps you can take to decrease your carbon footprint and help our environment sustain itself. Read on and find interesting ideas on how to transform your team into one that cares for and looks after our home, planet earth.

Easy Ways to Be a Greener Team

• Reuse parts. Most veteran teams know it doesn't take long to accumulate parts year after year. Nearly all of them can be reused. Contact other teams nearby and set up a part-swapping system. This is great for all teams mainly because we have limited cash budgets! (Be sure to follow FIRST's accounting rules for cost determination of parts for your robot). It's also an easy way to recycle.
• Carpool or take public transportation. The frequent meetings the build season requires can also result in increased transportation. At your next meeting, carpool with other team members or take the bus.
• Plan meals ahead. With our hectic build schedule, it's easy to forget about snacks and dinner. Quick fast food meals can result in more food container waste. Plan ahead and bring your snacks and dinner in a reusable containers. If you do eat out, be mindful of food containers. Avoid styrofoam and plastics.
• Provide (and use!) a recycling bin in your robotics lab. Start with three bins - one each for paper, aluminum, and glass. Find out what other items you can recycle easily in your community and keep adding bins.
• Install a compost or worm bin. Talk to your school about dedicating an area outdoors for a compost bin or indoors for a worm bin. It's a perfect place to throw most food scraps, paper, and other compost items. Most worms bins are small and could fit in a robotics lab.
• Start a garden. If you have room, you can even start an indoor container garden. (A perfect way to use the dirt from your compost bins!) Many vegetables will grow indoors and you can use the produce for team snacks.
• Rethink promotional items. There are many giveaways at the FRC competitions. How sustainable are the ones your team is handing out? Buy eco-friendly items, print on recycled paper, or make your own! For example, use old team t-shirts to make hankies or armbands. Check out our Green Gifts section for more ideas.
• Spread the word. Have an easy way to be green? Be sure to share it with others! You can also post ideas on our blog.