subject: The Greenest Dorms [print this page] By: Arto Torosoglu By: Arto Torosoglu
Year after year young men and women set off to college to acquire an education. Usually, students choose campus housing also known as dorms. Nowadays, even getting your dorm room to be eco-friendly is simpler than ever. With some effort, an imagination and a few helpful tips from EnviroCitizen.org, you will be on your way to a more sustainable living environment.
Many of these students want to indulge in the "college experience" which would obviously include leaving their homes. However, they must be careful that they don't end up having items sent in from home and everywhere else on a regular basis. Instead, it is wiser to look for what is needed locally or store items away until the next term. Many schools organize forms of transportation for this.
One of the most environmentally-friendly things you can do as a student is to give up air conditioning. It really isn't needed as much as you think. As you may well know, most of the time spent living on campus is not in the dorms. Many universities make it really easy for you to be green already by banning air conditioner (AC) units in dorms to save the energy costs. That doesn't stop many clever students from sneaking them in. The trouble is, after groups of students sneak something in, it all adds up. This means the potential for hundreds of thousands of energy-sucking AC units. Instead of AC, why not try opening a window, using a fan, taking a cooler shower before bed or just be outside. Of course, if you have to have AC for allergies or some other reason, be sure to get an Energy Star certified, low-energy unit if you absolutely cannot go without one.
While you are trying to go local, instead of buying new items from a major retailer, try looking on sites that offer used or secondhand goods. It will save money and create a truly unique room. Better yet, look for free, used stuff. Take a look at Freecycle or your local classified ads to see if there are any items like beds, desks or lamps that you can get for free. If you choose to stay during the semester, your university may have a day that coordinates furniture exchange or recycling. You can also try to find other dorm mates who want to get rid of items to lighten their loads if they are moving out.
Linens for your new room will make up the bulk of the rest of your buying. When you look for sheets, curtains or towels, go for organic cotton if possible. It will be the same the exact same material, but the cotton for the sheet was not exposed to pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
