On college campuses across America, move-in day can result in a mountain of garbage. As students try to turn dorm rooms into homes, the boxes and packing material can really pile up. Laura Foster a freshmam says: "There's a lot of stuff, my stuff, her stuff, we're just trying to make it work." Moving in can get pretty hectic, leaving students with little time to focus on going green, so here are a few simple tips.
Giving up air conditioning is one of the most environmentally sensitive things students can do. And many schools make it really easy. They don't offer A/C at all. Students say: "Just stick fans by the window, hope it rains, and cools it off in here a little." "I've been just going to the bathroom every so often and putting cold water on the back of my neck, it's pretty much the only way to keep cool."
There are a lot of other easy options for students. They can deck out their room with a certified low energy refrigerator, or switch from regular light bulbs to compact fluorescents. Environmentalist Fred Krupp says: "If a hundred million Americans changed just three light bulbs, it's like taking three and a half million cars off the road in terms of the avoided pollution."
Buying locally is another simple technique to help save the planet. When you buy furnishings locally you don't turn back to school into a shipping marathon. Resale shops, garage sales, and Craigslist are other good places to find dorm room treasures. And best of all, these items probably won't be cocooned in a ton of packing material.