Green living in college?
I already take very short showers, use energy settings on appliances, turn off lights when I am gone, and ride my bicycle everywhere I go. None of this will change when I go to college.
I am just not sure how I could possibly recycle there, or how else I can be eco-friendly.
Answer:
Start a campus wide recycling project if they don''t have one. Try to get inn to your school's newspaper if they have one with articles about green living in college and green living after college. How about an earth day celebration with guests showing off their green products or way of life, invite local people with frybrid cars, invite a local architect who designs straw bale houses.
When you get there, start looking around. You'll find inspiration. You'll also find like minded people in the community who can help you with possible projects.
Best wishes for your student career and keep on greening.
And if you need to make some money while in college send me an e-mail. I have a line of green products.
Most colleges are very eco-friendly. They'll have recycle bins on campus. Good luck.
Think about school supplies- how you can make the most of paper, reusing folders, etc...be sure to buy used books as well, when possible.
Also, you talked about riding your bike...and going to class- have you considered your lunches and snacks? Invest in something you can carry around rather than buy food and have all the paper and such to throw away.- same for your dorm - buy big gallons of water and pour it into smaller cups rather than buying a case of water bottles, etc.
Think about laundry- how many loads actually need done? Do you use the dryer, or can you hang clothes to dry? Perhaps rig up a clothes line in the room in the dorm.
In the dorm- ask your RA about rrecycling. If the hall doesn't do it- perhaps YOU can start it up...great way to meet people, get others involved.
good for you!
Eco friendly living is as easy as you wish to be. Eg; taking more showers without soap is also eco living.
If you want to improove upon what you are doing, then use less platic bags and canned foods and drinks (like coke and pepsi, Dr.pepper etc etc). Use more color pencils instead of ball point pens and submitt e-papers instead of hard copies.
bathe with a friend.**
A few tips:
1. Try fluorescent bulbs. They can be expensive, but around this time of year, some stores have them on special. If you live in Vermont, you can buy up to 6 (I think) per year at a reduced price. Or, my college provided me with fluorescent bulbs.
2. In addition to shutting off the lights when you leave, try unplugging them, too. Well, lamps that is. If you can, also unplug your computer or other appliances when not in use. Do this especially when you leave over breaks. You probably don't need to leave your alarm clock plugged in while you're gone.
3. Wash clothes in large loads and in cold water.
4. If you have a roomie, coordinate appliances. There is no sense in you both bringing a mini-fridge.
That's all I can think of for now that hasn't already been said.
I would suggest joining the environmental group on your campus, if there is not one it is good to start one. Some of the things we did on my campus was to start a recycle program, get the college to buy green (wind) power, use recycled paper, and get the school cafeteria to compost their food waste.
Freecycle or a group like them (for things you need), it will help you and the earth at the same time.
All the other suggestions are great and make me :-). The only other thing I could suggest is joining some environmental groups like Care2, EcologyFund, Sierra Club, or Nature Conservancy. Any volunteering you can do will help you in the long run.
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