What Can I Do?

VIKINGS GO GREEN!

You don't have to change your entire lifestyle to go green on campus. Why not choose two or three actions below and try to implement them over the course of a week?

Reduce waste

• Buy fewer things, use them more than once, and recycle them when finished.
• Recycle paper, bottles, cans, batteries and cardboard on campus
• Use a reusable water bottle or mug and refill on campus (coffee discounts for reusable mugs!)
• Carry reusable shopping bags to the store
• Pack a lunch using reusable containers
• Donate clothes, electronics, furniture, etc. instead of sending items to a landfill
• Buy foods in bulk to reduce packaging
• Thrift shopping. Purchasing used clothing or new sustainable, fair trade clothing
• Print double sided and avoid printing when possible

Conserve energy

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible
• Turn lights off when leaving an empty room
• Unplug chargers for electronics
• Set computers to sleep mode after ten minutes of inactivity
• Set your thermostat so that is one or two degrees closer to the temperature outside than what you normally would.

Transportation

• Use public transportation, ride a bike, carpool or use Zipcar
• Turn your car off when parked to reduce emissions from idling

Green your lifestyle

• Use Eco-friendly cleaning products: phosphorus free, bleach-free, naturally derived ingredients etc.
• Choose meat free meals several times per week
• Shop local market and small businesses
• Dress for the weather! Put on a sweater before you turn up the heat.
• Rent your textbooks instead of buying new