March is the month when we think of the color green. We dress, eat and drink green on St. Patrick’s Day. Green grass and flowers appear on college campuses across the country as we welcome the first day of spring. Add some more green to this month by following these simple tips for students who want to be more eco-friendly “Go Green”. Make these easy suggestions part of daily student life and help save our planet. “Green up” your dorm or off campus housing and save some “green” too!
1-Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Invest in some recyclable shopping bags. Plastic shopping bags are one of our biggest pollution problems. They are one of the top ten things littering our beaches and oceans. Simply buying recyclable shopping bags can make a huge difference. It may save you money too as some businesses are starting to charge for plastic bags. It will also save you space in your already small student apartment by not having to store all those plastic bags somewhere.
Recycle paper, plastic, metal, glass. Most campuses have recycling bins available throughout campus. Many cities do curbside recycling or have bins around the city. Find out where the closest recycling place is in your area. Ask the landlord of your dorm or off campus housing complex if there is an option to recycle at your apartments.
Use a refillable water bottle instead of purchasing bottled water. It is estimated that 80% of water bottles in the United States end up in land fills. So do the environment and your pocket book a favor and use a refillable bottle.
Reduce the amount of paper you use. Take notes electronically. Many schools now have online books and require assignments and papers be submitted online.This is an easy one for most students as they have grown up preferring electronic over paper. Again you will also be saving yourself time and money by not using paper resources.
Donate or upcycle old clothes or furniture. Moving or graduating? Don’t just throw away all that stuff. There may be lots of other students who may need what you no will longer are using and will appreciate free or inexpensive items to use in their dorm or off campus housing.
2-Decrease Power Use
This is a big one not only for the environment but also for your pocketbook if you are responsible to pay for utility fees. Before going away to school you probably didn’t have to pay for electricity, mom and dad took care of that. So that first power bill may be a bit of a shock. Do what you can to keep that bill low. Being a student you probably are not at home much. You are at school, work and the library. So make sure you turn off the lights, air conditioning and turn down the thermostat when you are not home. Open the window for fresh air or light, wear a sweater, any little thing that can make a big difference in your power usage. There’s a lot you can do to Go Green when it comes to power usage.
Dixie Cove Apartments, an off campus housing facility near Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah recently upgraded all the heating/air conditioning systems to a high efficiency ductless system to help reduce the cost and environmental impact of of electrical usage. They have also replaced lighting in common areas and outdoors to more energy efficient lights.
3-Walk, Cycle or Use Public Transportation
Many students live on or close to campus so this makes perfect sense. You will save lots of money not having to pay for gas, car payments, parking, and insurance on a vehicle. Many college towns have great public transportation systems that are often free to students. Cycling or walking provides exercise as well. It is also a great way to relax and reduce stress . A great benefit for busy student life.
Dixie Cove Apartments are located directly across the street from Utah Tech University so walking, biking are so convenient. No need to spend money on parking, gas and insurance.
So this month begin to consider how you can be more green. Set some eco-friendly habits now during your college years that will carry on throughout your life.
These are only 3 ways to “Go Green”. There are many more ways to be eco-friendly. So be aware of the small changes you can make that will have a big impact on our world.
If you are interested in an off campus housing complex within walking distance of Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah see our rates and availability.
You can also apply here.
