Everyone seems to be “going green” lately, but how exactly does one go green? Don’t worry, going green doesn’t mean you need to stop showering or even that you have to live by candlelight. It just means you need to conserve energy and make smart decisions that will ultimately help our environment. Northeastern is a big advocate for green technology and sustainability and you can help too. There are so many little things that you can do to help yourself, and Northeastern, become more eco-friendly.
What NU’s Doing
In 2007, Northeastern became a founding member of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, an initiative that hopes to dramatically decrease greenhouse emission among colleges. More recently the Sustainable Endowment Institute has granted Northeastern an ‘A-‘ in sustainability. This puts us ahead of Boston University and Boston College, who both received a ‘B’ on their respective sustainability report cards. As of now, we have received the highest sustainability rating of any college located in Boston, but the university is still working to bring our rating even higher.
International Village, home to freshman honors students, is the first building on campus to receive a gold-level LEED certification. This means International Village is being recognized for its green aspects such as a roof garden, recycled building materials, motion-sensor lighting, and low-flow showers and faucets. With compost bins located in all of the dining halls and recycling bins located in residence halls, academic buildings, and the student center, Northeastern makes it easy for you to help.
What You Can Do
Aside from using the compost and recycling bins that Northeastern provides for us, there are things that you can do in your own dorm room that will help the environment. Here are a few tips on how to make your dorm room “green.”
1. Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a water filter and a reusable water bottle. Simply fill the pitcher with water from the tap, and allow it to filter. By doing this you’ll be going green and saving money! Visit PurWater and Brita‘s websites to look at options.
2. Stop using plug-in air fresheners and buy some flowers instead. You can eliminate the use of plastic and add some color and fun to your room all at the same time.
3. Buy CFL light bulbs, or Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. These types of light bulbs use about 75% less energy than typical incandescent bulbs and last up to ten times longer.
4. Decorate your room with items that can be recycled in order to keep them from going to waste when you decide to redecorate. So find bamboo frames and use paper decorations. Go to GreenYourDecor for cute green décor ideas.
5. Buy a drying rack! This will save you the $1.50 needed to dry your clothes (and another $1.50 for the second cycle because they’re not completely dry after the first time) and saves a ton of energy.
6. Buy a recycled boombox. Yes, boombox. With two powerful speakers, the boomboxes work with most iPods and have fun designs. At only $18, they are cheaper than the iHome and are far more environmentally friendly. GreenYourDecor has great ones available.
7. Unplug electronics when they’re not in use. This means unplug your TV when you’re in class or at the gym. Although it may seem insignificant, “phantom energy” is consumed by electronics when they’re merely plugged in and not even turned on.
8. This last one seems simple, but make sure to turn off the lights whenever you leave the room. Remind your roommate to turn them off as well!
Even in your own dorm room, you can make a difference. Small changes in your lifestyle can save energy and reduce waste. Northeastern’s making an effort to go green and you can too by choosing to use recycled products and by conserving energy. Help yourself, help Northeastern, and help the world to become even greener.
Sources:
http://www.northeastern.edu/sustainability/index.html
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/stories/2010/04/International_village.html
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=LB
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/dorm-rooms/index.html
http://www.greenyourdecor.com/green-gift-guide/for-the-home/
http://www.brita.com/intl/
http://www.purwater.com/pur-products/water-pitcher/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/unplugging-appliances-to-save-energy.html
Photos courtesy of Northeastern University & earthhour.org