Top 10 Must-haves to Green Up Your Dorm Room

Everyone knows that Chatham University is an eco-friendly school, but not everyone comes from a background where recycling is the norm. Whether you’re entering the “green” world for the first time or are actively looking for new ways to lessen your carbon footprint, here is a list of the top ten items you should bring to an environmental school!
 
1. Reusable water bottle
 
As a green campus, Chatham University is striving to cut back on waste—especially waste from plastic water bottles. To help do this, every new student at Chatham receives a metal water bottle that they can refill at the various water stations around campus. So get into the habit early! Ditch your disposable plastic bottles and get yourself a reusable Nalgene!
 

2. Cheap cooking supplies, plates, and silverware
 
It is tempting to buy kitchen supplies like plastic cutlery or paper plates that you can throw away, but it will not only be cheaper but more ecofriendly to get ones that will last longer. You can get inexpensive plates, cups, cutlery—even pots and pans for you ambitious cooks—for under $25 at Wal-Mart, Target, or even a dollar store. Chances are, you won’t be feeding too many mouths, so just one or two of each will do! You could even save some spending money and borrow supplies from home. Your family has one less mouth to feed, after all, so they probably wouldn’t mind if you stole a plate or two!
 
3. Eco-friendly appliances
 
There are full-sized microwaves and refrigerators available to all students in every residence hall, but there is no denying the luxury of having appliances on hand in your dorm room. So when it comes time to pick out that mini-fridge and microwave, cost is often the biggest incentive. But when you’re choosing your brand, look for a product with the “Energy Star” seal of approval to make sure you are getting the best choice for the environment. When it comes down to it, even if you pay more initially, an energy-efficient model will save you money over time in electric bills.
 
4. Fans

 
Though the residence halls on campus are very well heated during the winter and fall, there is no air conditioning during warmer weather. Because of this, it is a great idea to bring window fans and standing fans to situate around your dorm room to keep you cool on even the hottest of days! Just remember to turn them off when you leave the room!
 
5. eBooks
 
This one is not for everyone, but for those of you with an open mind, you can save some trees and some cash by buying your textbooks electronically. They usually are a fraction of the cost of real books and are delivered instantly. Plus, even if you do not own a Kindle/Nook/etc., you can download some software and read eBooks on your brand new MacBook Pro!
 
6. Reusable bags
 
Using reusable bags is not only good for the environment, but it is a good move for you, too! Plastic bags are flimsy and constantly risk tearing, whereas reusable bags can be used over and over again. This one speaks for itself, so find yourself a bag (you can get them for under $5 at Wal-Mart!) and express yourself! 
 
7. Old clothes

 
In most of the residence halls on campus, there are “free bins” where students place gently used clothes. Whether they no longer fit physically or are no longer to your taste, it doesn’t matter! Just because you outgrew it doesn’t mean it’s not perfect for somebody else. Students are encouraged to take items from this box, if they leave behind a contribution as well! Aside from the “free bins,” old clothes can also be worn on Selfless Saturdays, or tie-dyed into something new and exciting at one of the many tie-dye nights!  
 
8. Power strips
 
Appliances like cell phone/laptop chargers, microwaves, and televisions use electricity even when they are turned “off”! Cut back on wasted energy with a power strip and gain a few more outlets for your electronics as well. Just make sure you don’t plug your refrigerator into one! There’s even a rumor that if you buy a power strip from Ecostrip.com they’ll plant a tree in your honor!
 
9. Drying rack / Clothesline

 
Unlike may other colleges, Chatham University has no shortage of trees. Take advantage of them by hanging up a clothesline and letting your jeans and towels dry in the sun instead of in the dryer! Save energy and catch some rays in the sun! Even in the winter, a drying rack or clothesline can be a useful tool to air out or dry out laundry. When not in use, the clothesline and rack take up very little space (the clothesline can fit in a drawer, and the rack can slip under the bed or into the closet), and they are certainly a lifesaver when you can’t get an opening in the laundry sign-up sheet!
 
10. Bicycle

 
Chatham’s a rather small campus, but unless you live in the Woodland residence hall, there is a lot of walking involved when it comes time to get to your classes! A bike is a useful thing whether you’re running late for a class or want to go on an adventure to some of the great attractions in Squirrel Hill or Shadyside. So forget about wasting gas or waiting around at the bus stop! Hang up your car keys and explore Pittsburgh on your bike. Maps of bike routes are available, and don’t forget the bike lock!