Green Tips for Campus Goers
Monday, March 2, 2009 by Mike Bertolino Drop the Disposable
Refillable water bottles are awesome for two reasons. The first reason is you don’t have to waste your beer money by buying cases of water. The second reason is they help the environment by keeping water bottles out of landfills. Most hippies will tell you that the stainless steel canteens are the way to go but they can be kind of expensive. The CamelBak and Nalgene both make water bottles in various sizes and colors.
Going along with the idea of water bottles, refillable coffee mugs are pretty sweet too. They are helpful at keeping costs down even if you don’t brew your own joe. Coffee shops (mostly the ones that are chains) will offer a discount for refills. For instance, Einstein’s gives refills for one dollar if you buy their mug that came with a coffee, for two fifty.
The downside the non-disposable model is that you have to wash the bottles and mugs semi consistently. This makes it harder for us lazy ones (guilty as charged) but we should at least try, right?
Have a Plant
You can have a plant in your dorm or apartment on the cheap, most definitely. Just take that two liter of coke you used to mix your drinks last night and cut it in half. Not only can you use the bottom for a planter, but you can also use the top for filter.
Now, all you have to purchase is a little bit of topsoil and some seeds. I suggest buying mint. Mint smells nice and after you wash it pop it in your mouth and then you won’t have to buy the orbit anymore. Personification also helps to keep it in your mind thus helping keep it alive.
Walk and/or Bike
The latter three words, walk, run and bike are extremely healthy ways to get around. Not just because they are healthy for you, but also because they are healthy for the environment. So, why not walk to class instead of taking the bus or driving. If it is too far to walk, ride a bike. If you don't have a bike, start a bike share at your school.
Controlling Your Inner Techie
It's hard to remember something as simple as turning you computer off at night. If you just turn off your computer you'll be saving an extremely large amount of energy. Also, if you phone can make it through the night without dying, don't charge it. It has a battery for a reason! Hey maybe if everyone turned their computer off at night and charged their phones less universities would lower tuition a little. I like to dream.
Finally, here's a carbon footprint calculator. Try it out, you might be surprised how much energy you use.
How do you stay green at college? Comment below or email me at mike [at] hackcollege [dot] com.
Reader Comments (10)
For those in warm weather, try skateboarding around campus. Super convenient and great exercise. Plus, you take your skateboard right into class with you and don't have to lock it up like a bike.
Here's an obvious one that was hard for me to get my roommates to do - turn off the lights when you leave your room. It doesn't need to be on while you're out for 8 hours, especially during the day. One thing I started doing last year is to put all of my plugged in devices into one power strip that I can easily turn off at night. I have friends who buy cases of water because they don't like the taste of tap water but that's an easy fix, just buy a water filter and use a refillable water bottle.
Great tips on getting green on campus. For more advice on getting "greened out", check out this article on how to make your dorm room green
Ah I really love this, I'm thinking about taking a plant more and more. But a green dorm room, that's great of course!
I refrain from refilling water bottles ever since I read in an Environmental Science textbook that you can significantly increase chances for cancer by refilling water bottles because of chemicals that rub off from the plastic over time.
Also don't forget to unplug your device chargers when you're not using them. They don't draw that much power, but every little bit helps.
Actually (in response to Carlos), it is safe to reuse plastic water bottles for a period of time. It's too hard for me to constantly bring my dishes, soap, and towel to the bathroom to wash them, so I typically rinse out a bottle after using it, refill it once or twice with filter water, and then recycle it and open a new bottle. They stay clean and I don't have to buy as many packs of water or waste time going from one end of the hall to the other with soapy dishes.
considerng all the issues it is so good.to maintain all the things individually.it is good for health and other things also.wasting money for unwanted things is stupid thing.avoid all stupd things.
following all discribed things is good.
i appreciate this.
I think that to get the loan from creditors you should have a firm motivation. However, once I've got a car loan, just because I was willing to buy a car.