Go Big Green! Ten Ways to be More Eco-Friendly at College

There are many things college students plan to do in the future: start sleeping more, hold a job, maybe have a family, and maybe even make time to be good to our planet. But going green doesn’t need to wait until after graduation! There are many easy and affordable ways to become more Eco-friendly right away.

1. Skip the Appliances.
The energy and resources required to make and power mini-fridges and microwaves is huge. Campuses also have hundreds of places to hang out that provide free air conditioning. If your dorm or apartment doesn’t have all those energy draining gadgets, just spend as much time as possible not there. Getting out and meeting new people is what college is all about anyway.

2. Trash into Treasure
Get that quirky eco friendly look by creating your own style at thrift stores. Take an art or sewing class and learn how to alter or embellish your clothing, book bags, and linens. Buying second hand will not only save you money, but keep hundreds of pounds of trash out of the landfill.

3. Change Light Bulbs
Compact florescent bulbs save energy and money. Try to make sure all the fixtures and lamps within your reach are energy efficient.

4. Kill Switch on the Phantom Menace
Computers, phone chargers, modems, TV’s and other electronics all drain power if left plugged in, even when they’re turned off. Cut them off at the source by plugging everything into a power strip and turning it off when you’re not using them.

5. Recycle Electronics
Old cell phones, dying mini-fridges, or obsolete monitors all need to be disposed of. If you recycle electronics and appliances appropriately, you can prevent not only tons of non-biodegradable ending up in landfills, but you can also reduce the amount of toxic mercury leaked into the soil and ground water. Also, read this about the effect of cell phones on gorilla habitats.

6. Recycle and Encourage Others to Recycle
Start using refillable water bottles and travel mugs rather than bottle water and disposable cups, and wash your dishes rather than using paper plates. Set up bins for your dorm, collect printer paper, pick up litter, and encourage your friends to do the same. Every little bit helps!

7. Park the Car
College towns cater to lots of kids not fortunate enough to have their own car on campus. Use public transportation, make friends with someone with a car, get a good bike, or just huff it. Think of that morning run to class as part of your work out rather than the downside of hitting the snooze button too many times.

8. Pass on Fast Food
That freshman 15 isn’t all about beer. Most college students eat greater quantity of less healthy junk food when they leave home. Stay healthy and help reduce the average 275 lbs of waste produced every day by one McDonald’s.

9. Get Involved
Campuses run on student groups. Find a green group that’s doing something about what you’re passionate about. GreenStudentU.com has a huge list of student environmental groups.

10. Pee Outside
It sounds like a crazy way to go green, but the average toilet uses THREE gallons of water per flush. Help save that water for where we really need it. Visit PeeOutside.org for more on this unusual way to save the planet.

A little creativity will help you get started on your own green initiatives today—don’t wait to start making your contribution to the earth’s good health!

Photo credits: Colorful Recycling Containers for Trash by epSos.de/flickr; Walking by English106/flickr

Peter Harrington is a career counselor and content contributor for Top Online Colleges, a great source for tons of information on expanding your education, from top online colleges for nursing to School Counseling degrees.