Green Your Dorm

Your dorm room is your sanctuary while you’re at school, at least, so there’s no better time to learn some green lessons that you can apply to living the rest of your green life. This is where you sleep, study, reflect and relax so it’s important that you make your space your own. In addition, being green can save you money which will come in handy on rainy days ; ) CHat with your roomie and see if you can go in on the costs of making your pad eco-friendly this year!

Keep it local – The summer before school starts, you are bombarded with a barrage of ads for hot new furniture and goodies. Tempting, but shipping stuff to school or renting a big truck to get it there uses tons of carbon (not to mention cash). Freshman, try to buy your dorm décor when you get to school, maybe include your room mate so as to create the coolest, most harmonious living environment possible. If you’re a returning student, store your stuff locally over the summer and pick it up when you go back. Perhaps go in on a storage unit with pals to save moola!

Axe the AC –  For the most part, you aren’t in school for the hottest summer months, so you can survive a few warm weeks.  Open windows, use fans or try studying outside and enjoy the last few rays of summer sun!

Mini-fridge fiasco – If you live in a dorm that has a common area on your floor, try using the fridge in the kitchen before choosing a mini fridge. It can encourage you to be social with other students in your building while promoting healthy eating to all. Although, I do understand that most students prefer having a personal mini-fridge so make sure it’s low-energy certified.

Forget the microwave – I’m not a fan of nuke machines for the unhealthiness of them and I understand why students might want one. Convenience. Well, sure but at what cost. It’s bad for you as well as for the environment so opt for a toaster oven or crock pot to heat up food quickly.

Let there be light – Get creative with how you light up your space. Look for LED lights as well as CFL fixtures instead of Halogens. Some Halogens use hundreds of watts of electricity and they can easily start fires.

Plug it in, plug it in –  With computers, ipods, phones, kitchen gadgets, tvs and game consoles, you could easily blow a fuse if you’re plugging in to much crap. Instead of running extension cords all over your room (which is dangerous), put them all on energy saving power strips so you can keep them from sucking energy up when they’re not in use.

Reuse & recycle –  Shop yard sales, thrift stores, eBay, Freecycle.org and Craigslist for your dorm furniture and decor. You will save money and most of the time, you will find super cool stuff in great condition. Be sure to take care of your stuff to as when you’re all grown up, you can hand it down to a newbie ; )

Bright whites –  When shopping for sheets and towels, choose organic cotton. You can get really comfy stuff without toxins or dyes.

Eco-friendly water bottles –  Don’t be tempted to spend money on bottled water. Instead get BPA-free or glass water bottle (LifeFactory, Love Bottles, etc) and a water filtering pitcher (like Brita). Fill up on healthy water all day long while keeping green and healthy.

Forget the Febreeze –  Now that you’re on your own, there isn’t anyone telling you to pick up after yourself or do your laundry every week.  Messy rooms equal stinky rooms! Instead of burning toxic candles or using chemically air fresheners, get a plant to improve indoor air quality, burn essential oils and don’t be such a pig ; )

Kiss the cook –  Stock up on fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds and beans. All planet friendly foods that require little to no cooking so it’s easy to stay healthy while saving energy.

Au Naturale –  Boy or girl, you’re going to need bathroomy stuff. Be sure to be a smart consumer by choosing natural health and beauty products. Or get crafty and make your own!

All of these things are great to begin getting used to, especially when you’ve graduated and are responsible for ALL of your bills.  Being smart and green while in school will be invaluable when you reach the working world!