Sustainability Tips for College Students

Thanks to Goucher College, students can be sustainable by applying these helpful tips.  Starting with consciousness of your own energy usage, communities can work toward a more sustainable environment, so what better way to begin than when in college?

In the dorm

• Use compact fluorescent bulbs, which last longer and use less energy than regular bulbs.
• Turn off unnecessary electrical devices when you leave a room for more than 15 minutes.
• Enable your computer to go into "sleep mode" when not in use.
• Do not leave computers on all night.
• Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.
• Unplug cell phone charger when charging is complete.
• Use natural light rather than electric whenever possible.
• Pull down window shades at night in the winter and during the day in the summer.
• Go old school -- try a standard phone with a cord instead of a cordless model, which requires constant energy.
• Turn off and defrost refrigerator over long breaks.
• Don't use power strips to turn on your computer and desk equipment all at once.
• Buy inexpensive mugs and plates that you can wash rather than disposable ones and avoid over-packaged takeout food.
• Reuse envelopes, advertisements, and previously used paper for notes.
• Buy a water filter and refill a reusable container instead of buying cases of bottled water.
• Share magazines and books.

In the bathroom

• Take shorter showers; don't run the water before getting in, and turn off the water when lathering.
• Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and shaving.
• Report leaky faucets and showerheads.
• Don't use the toilet as a garbage bin. Toss tissues and waste in trash cans.

In the laundry room

• Only wash full loads of laundry.
• Wash your clothes in cold water.
• Air dry whenever possible.
• Use products containing the least amount of bleaches, dyes, and fragrances.

In the classroom

• Use refillable binders instead of notebooks or use a laptop.
• Use recycled paper.
• Take notes on both sides of paper.
• If it’s OK with your professor, hand in assignments by printing on both sides of the page. 
• Unless you’re handicapped, don’t use automatic handicap doors.

Being Green can not only help decrease your carbon footprint but can be as simple as taking time out to ensure that you’re using less energy; and the great thing is it doesn’t have to strap your wallet for cash or seem like a chore!

To learn more ways that you or other students to be sustainable and to reach full list of tips Goucher provided for sustainability, follow the link here: http://www.goucher.edu/x23340.xml

-Jill Potter