Join the herd. 89% of CU Boulder students try to make environmentally sustainable choices in the way they live. Here are some tips for your school supplies.
Reduce
-
Start shopping in your own closet! Collect supplies you already have
-
Host a back-to-school clothing or supplies swap with your friends
-
Consider digital note-taking apps and eTextbooks so you don't need to use any paper
Get ready to Re-Use
-
Bring a reusable water bottle, coffee mug, shopping bag and eating utensils
-
Buy rechargeable batteries for your devices
-
Look for refillable pens, pencils, and highlighters
-
Get used or recycled furnishings and clothes - check out Boulder's Tour de Thrift
-
Consider renting your textbooks to save money and books
Buying Green
-
For back-to-school clothes and bedding, choose organic cotton and Fair Trade products
-
Look for notebooks and paper with 100% recycled content and high post-consumer recycled content
-
Choose cleaning supplies and detergents without phosphates or other harsh chemicals
-
Pick LED light bulbs - they will last longer and save the most energy
Getting Around
-
Need a new bike or an upgrade? Look for a used bike on craigslist or at Community Cycles for a great green deal! CU BikeFest will have a bike sale is on September 12th.
-
Make sure to buy bike lights so you don't get a ticket! (Cyclists are required to use lights after dark in Boulder)
-
Rechargeable or solar-powered bike lights will save you hassle, money, and waste
-
Get your bike back in riding condition at one of our on-campus bike stations
-
No bike? No problem. The CU Bike Stations provide free 48 hour bike rentals, low-cost semester bike rentals, and we offer free student memberships to bike sharing through Boulder B-Cycle.
-
You may sometimes still need a car. Campus has multiple carshare vehicles available through Zipcar and eGo carshare.
Find more tips, info and resources in the CU Buffs Green Living Guide