Sustainable Buffs Guide

From the food you eat to the products you buy, here are ways to be eco-conscious about the decisions you make on a daily basis and learn what actions CU is taking toward sustainability in these categories.

Food

 

Food choices

Did you know that your food choices can have an impact on the environment? Choosing more organic fruits and vegetables, limiting your meat consumption, and eating more plant-based meals can be a great way to reduce food-based emissions. 

1. Choosing organic fruits and vegetables 

Organic agriculture does not use fossil fuel-based fertilizers like many conventional practices do, significantly lowering the emissions required to produce organic fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that decreasing the use of fossil fuel-based fertilizers has the potential to lower direct agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 20%. 

2. Limiting meat consumption 

The key word here is limit. You do not have to become a vegetarian or vegan to make an impact. If every person in the United States cut their meat consumption by 25%, it would cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by around 1%. 1% may not seem like a lot, but it can have great benefits in reducing methane emissions associated with the production of meat, particularly beef. You can also try some meat alternatives like tempeh, tofu, lentils, beans and even plant-based meats like Impossible or Beyond Meats to ensure you’re getting the protein your body needs! 

3. Filling your plate with plant-based foods

Transitioning to a plant-based diet has the potential to reduce diet-related emissions greenhouse gas emissions by 49%. Similarly to limiting meat consumption, it does not mean you have to switch to an entirely plant-based diet to reduce your food footprint. Try to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts into your diet!

For Further Learning

Food waste

It is estimated that 30-40% of food is wasted in the United States every year. Wasted food can have a detrimental effect on the environment. Currently, food waste accounts for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, a greenhouse gas that has a 28x higher warming potential than carbon dioxide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food waste is the single most common material discarded in landfills and incinerated in the U.S., accounting for around 22-24% of municipal solid waste. 

How can you keep food out of landfills?

  1. Purchasing food you know you will eat.
  2. Taking smaller portions at the dining hall (you can always get more!)
  3. Composting any leftover food instead of throwing it away.

What is CU doing?

 

  • CU’s dining facilities provide students with organic options for every meal of the day, as well as at least one vegan and one vegetarian option at each dining hall
  • CU Boulder composted over 8,000 gallons of pre-consumer food waste to The Golden Hoof Farm, a 2,000 acre regenerative farm in Boulder, CO, in 2022.
  • Between July and November 2022, CU Boulder purchased 178,000 pounds of local foods from vendors like Boulder Breadworks, Moe’s Broadway Bagels, Rudi’s Organic Bakery, Kilt Farm, and more!
  • In March 2023, the Environmental Center piloted a Carbon Labeling Project in the Alferd Packer Grill in the UMC to show students the impact different foods have on the environment. If you have any questions about the pilot program, please contact the E-Center at ecenter@colorado.edu.
  • CU’s Environmental Center has joined forces with Zero Foodprint, a non profit organization dedicated towards raising awareness and funds for regenerative agriculture practices. This partnership has enabled on campus restaurant partners, like Subway and Violet Peaks, to crowdfund donations towards grants which support our local farmers. 

 

 

As modern technology continues to advance in its capabilities, our demand for energy will inevitably increase in turn. Even now, the average U.S. household consumes approximately 7,200-10,800 kWh of energy per year and CU consumes 1.4 MBtu per year. However, we can come together as Sustainable Buffs to reduce our overall energy consumption and learn about vampire or phantom loads. Energy conservation refers to the conscious effort of reducing our overall energy consumption without compromising our quality of life.

Computers and Appliances

  • ​A vampire load, also known as a phantom load, is the electricity consumed by appliances without power switches, such as phone or laptop chargers, when they are plugged into an outlet but not in use. Vampire loads account for between five and ten percent of residential energy use. Simply unplugging your electronics and appliances when not in use can reduce this energy waste. Learn more about vampire loads here! 
     
  • Using a power strip that can switch on and off is a great way to turn off all of your unused electronics with the press of a button. 
     
  • Using an outlet electrical timer is a great way to ensure your phone doesn’t charge when it’s full. Simply set it to 2-3 hours overnight to charge to reduce your energy use! 
     
  • Make sure that your dishwasher, washing machine, and clothes dryer are full before you run them! Washing dishes by hand or hanging your clothes to dry can also save this energy.
     
  • Run your washing machine with cold water. Heating up water can consume a lot of energy.
     
  • Turning off your computer when you leave it for the day saves 65% of this energy.
     
  • If you’re not using your computer, make sure it’s turned off or on sleep mode.
     
  • Use a Kill a Watt meter to read the energy use of any household appliance you plug it into.

Lights

  • ​Incandescent lights are the least efficient type of light, as 90% of its energy is given off as heat, while only 10% is used to light your space. If sunlight can light your room naturally, or if you are leaving the room, turn your lights off to reduce energy use. This includes turning off your string lights! 
     
  • When possible, swap out your incandescent bulbs for LED lights. LEDs use up to 80% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 25 times as long as traditional incandescent bulbs. 

Laundry

  • Set your washing machine to the cold water setting for most loads. Modern detergents are effective at lower temperatures. Pre-treat stains to avoid the need for longer or hotter wash cycles.
  • Use shorter wash cycles for lightly used clothes to reduce energy consumption.
  • Take advantage of Boulder’s naturally dry climate and hang clothes to dry on a clothesline or drying rack whenever possible to eliminate dryer energy use.
  • If using a dryer, run it with full loads and ensure the lint filter is clean to improve efficiency and prevent fires!
  • Use the low or medium heat setting on your dryer to save energy and reduce wear and tear on clothes.

Get an Energy Audit

  • Xcel Energy audits
    • Xcel Energy has various contractors who will go to your home to perform a professional energy audit. They provide rebates and free energy advisor services. The Home Energy Audit program is designed for residential customers living in single-family dwellings no larger than a four-plex. 
       
  • Boulder County Energy Smart
    • EnergySmart helps Boulder County residents make their homes and businesses more comfortable, affordable, and most importantly, energy efficient. An EnergySmart advisor can assist with various home energy projects, provides thermal images and blower door tests to identify energy inefficiencies, and provides rebates.  
       
  • Boulder County PACE program
    • Want to audit your workplace? PACE provides free expert advisor services and incentives to help businesses measure and gain recognition for their successful progress in energy, waste, water and transportation. 

Weatherize your home

  • Weatherizing is a huge part of energy conservation since the goal is to keep the heat (or cool air) inside! Here are some weatherizing tips-
    • Make sure you have double pane windows. If you don’t, you can use thick curtains to keep the heat or cool air from escaping your room.
    • Caulk, caulk, caulk! Make sure there are no visible gaps in between your windows, doors, and walls where heat or cold air can escape your home.
    • A common place where heat will escape is through the fireplace. Make sure it is properly caulked and that your fireplace vent is closed when not in use!
    • Install weather stripping under your doors to improve your insulation.
  • The optimal temperature band for your home is of 68°F in the winter and 78°F in the summer! Dress appropriately- you shouldn’t be wearing shorts in the middle of winter or a hoodie in the middle of summer! 

What is CU doing?

 

 

Water is a vital resource essential for life, sustaining our ecosystems, and supporting human activities. As the lifeblood of our planet, water's importance extends beyond basic survival needs, influencing agriculture, industry, and recreation. The Colorado River exemplifies this significance, providing water to over 40 million people and irrigating nearly 5.5 million acres of farmland across seven states. However, increased demand, climate change, and prolonged droughts are straining this crucial water source.

The indigenous tribes who hold water rights to the Colorado River emphasize the deep connection between water and life. As stated during the 2024 Colorado River Conference by Daryl Vigil of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, “Water is life and water can take life, too.” Understanding the importance of water conservation and prioritizing sustainable practices is essential in order to protect our treasured water sources and ensure a resilient future for our community. Here are some ways you can conserve water! 

Water and Food

  • Processed foods use up a lot of water in production. Opt for fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains instead.
  • Consider limiting your meat consumption or eating vegetarian or vegan one day a week. 

Water and Energy

  • Water and energy are linked: it takes water to create electricity and transportation fuels, and it takes energy to treat water. Following the ‘Energy’ section of the guide is another great way to save water.
  • Air drying your laundry whenever possible! Colorado has a great climate for air drying laundry. Always try to dry your clothes on a drying rack or clothes line.
  • Use a washing machine only when it’s full of clothes.

Water Quality and Laundry

  • Reducing our shopping habits can also save water! Buying less and buying second hand can reduce your water waste. There are many thrift stores in the Boulder area where you can practice shopping sustainably!
    • Some of our favorite thrift shops in Boulder are: Plato’s Closet, Pig + Pearl Secondhand, Boulder Sports Recycler,  Common Threads and many more.  Click this link for a map of where to find our 10 favorite second hand stores.
  • Avoid Fast Fashion: Opt for high-quality, durable clothing that sheds fewer fibers and lasts longer.
  • Choose clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or bamboo, which shed fewer microfibers and are biodegradable
  • Reduce the number of washes for clothes made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon to minimize microfiber shedding.
  • Install a microfiber filter in your washing machine. These filters (can be up to $1,000!)  capture tiny plastic fibers that shed from synthetic fabrics, preventing them from entering waterways.
  • Wash synthetic clothes in a Guppyfriend bag, which captures microfibers during the wash cycle.
  • Always run full loads of laundry to maximize water efficiency.

Green Laundry Hacks

  • To remove stains: combine 2 parts hydrogen peroxide with one part Dawn dish soap in a liquid measuring cup and give it a stir.When ready to use, simply spray the solution onto the stain, working it in with a toothbrush for maximum benefit. Allow the stain remover to sit on the garment for a minimum of one hour and then launder according to the washing instructions.
  • Laundry detergent sheets: Laundry detergent sheets are a more sustainable alternative to traditional liquid or powder detergents.These sheets are pre-measured, dissolvable strips made from concentrated detergent that eliminate the need for bulky plastic packaging. Their lightweight and compact nature significantly lower the carbon footprint associated with transportation and storage. You will get laundry sheets in your EcoVisit kit! Sign up for one today! 

What can you do?

  • Whether you live on campus, at Grad and Family housing, or off-campus, you can sign up for a FREE EcoKit when you schedule an EcoVisit! This program is made possible in thanks to our partnership with the City of Boulder. The kit offers
    • Faucet aerators, which help conserve water
    • Laundry Detergent Sheets
    • Toilet tab for detecting leaks
    • And much, much more!
  • Turn the faucet off if you’re not actively using the water, like when cooking, lathering up in the shower, or brushing your teeth.
  • Look for WaterSense label to find water efficient products that help reduce water consumption and save money.
  • Opt for showers instead of baths.
  • Reuse kitchen water to water plants

What is CU doing?

  • In partnership with the City of Boulder, the Environmental Center is offering EcoVisits, a team of students trained in making your home more sustainable, free of charge to all Buffs! Sign up for one today!
  • If you notice a leaky faucet, toilet, or shower on campus, FixIt* Colorado will fix it at no charge! This simple act can save up to 30,000 gallons of water a month!
  • As of 2016, CU’s Athletics Department has a net-zero water footprint.
  • The Green Labs program has saved 73 million gallons of water since 2009 in CU’s laboratory spaces! If you work in a lab, make sure it’s a Green Lab working towards CU’s Sustainability goals! 

 

  • Reducing your consumption can save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and recycling centers.
  • Buying local reduces emissions used to transport goods around the country, supports the community, and provides consumers with unique items.
  • Wait until a product is at the end of its lifespan to throw it away, or if you have no use for it anymore, consider donating it to a community center, thrift store, school, or nonprofit organization so that it can find a proper home.
  • Vote with your dollar- if possible, refuse to purchase from companies that do not align with your environmentally conscious values.
  • Buy less from Amazon when you can. When it can’t be avoided, buy everything you need at once so that they can be shipped in the same box.
  • On Valentine's Day, purchase fair trade chocolate to insure that the workers who helped it get to your loved one are justly compensated. Send E-cards instead of paper cards that will get thrown into the trash. On Christmas, wrap presents in recycled packaging instead of purchasing single-use wrapping paper.
  • Fast fashion brands like H&M and Shein may seem less expensive, but have higher environmental costs. They are also not as high quality and need to be replaced faster than “slow fashion” brands.
  • Thrift shopping and buying secondhand gives these no longer wanted clothes a new home, and can lessen the environmental impact that would have been used to create new clothing. 

What is CU doing?

  • For almost twenty years, CU has been purchasing more recycled paper than virgin paper.
  • CU departments are required to purchase minimum 30% recycled content office and copy paper.
  • CU collects all old furniture and sells it to the departments and individuals at highly discounted rates.

 

Biking

  • Choosing to bike to work or class rather than drive can save over 3,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year, and the cost of maintaining a bike is twenty times less than that of a car.
  • With over 300 miles of bikeway, including on-street bike lanes, designated bike routes, and paved shoulders, Boulder is great for cyclists.

Public Transportation

  • Reduce your carbon footprint by riding one of the over a dozen buses that run through Boulder and the CU campus.

Walking

  • Just like biking, walking to class or work wastes no energy and is great for your health.

 

Ride Sharing

  • Each car owned by a ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft removes between 5.5 to 12.7 tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
  • Both Uber and Lyft have shared ride features that are cheaper and still reduce emissions.
  • Carpooling is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
  • Obeying the speed limit, checking your tire pressure, removing excess weight from your trunk, and turning your engine off while parked keep your trips more sustainable. 

Green Travel

  • Lessen your footprint by taking non-stop flights, as the majority of emissions are emitted during takeoff and landing.
  • Support local businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and shops, instead of large tourist corporations when traveling.
  • Before you book a hotel or hostel, make sure that their environmental values align with yours!

What is CU doing?

  • Provides all students and qualifying faculty with RTD passes for bus routes in Boulder and Denver
  • Two bike stations on campus that help out with bike maitence along with short term and long term rentals
  • B-Cycle stations on campus where students can rent bicycles 

 

General

  • Conserve water.
  • Install recycling and composting bins.
  • Maintain healthy air quality by opening windows and avoiding harsh chemicals indoors.
  • Switching to green cleaning products reduces this pollution, as well as being better for the health of you, your roommates, and your pets.

At Home

  • Air conditioning units are often the biggest energy wasters in a home. Fans are a much more sustainable way to keep cool during Colorado’s summer months.
  • Rearrange your furniture so that nothing is blocking vents.
  • Limit the use of a wood-burning stove or fireplace unless it’s too cold inside for comfort.

In the Office

  • Choose electronics for around the workplace that are recommended by EPA.
  • Make the switch to recycled paper, print double sided, and ensure that every sheet you use ends up in the recycle instead of the landfill.
  • Using electronic filing systems and records can help your workplace cut down on the use of paper.

 

What is CU doing?

  • CU Boulder has 28 LEED certified Green Buildings located across campus, including 11 buildings that are certified LEED Platinum, the highest certification a sustainable building can recieve.
  • All restrooms on campus are stocked with 100% recycled paper, and CU departments are required to purchase minimum 30% recycled content paper from the CU Marketplace. Since 1994, CU has purchased more recycled paper than non-recycled paper.

 

Reduce

  • Invest in reusable shopping bags, straws, travel mugs, and tupperware to cut down on the between one and five trillion single-use plastics thrown in the landfill each year.
  • If you can do without the plastic straw, grocery bag, and produce bag, do so. Politely refuse unnecessary plastic.
  • Rather than buying a plastic water bottle every time you’re thirsty, purchase a reusable water bottle and fill it up from the tap.
  • Shop secondhand and only buy things that you love and know you’ll wear or use for a long time.
  • Purchasing items like shampoo, cereal, and detergent in large quantities rather than continuing to buy small packages reduces the amount of plastic waste you accumulate. 

Reuse

  • Use reusable items such as bags, water bottles, and mugs for as long as possible.
  • If something in your home breaks, consider repairing it rather than purchasing a new one and throwing it away.
  • Purchase rechargeable batteries rather than one-time use ones.
  • If you have a baby or toddler at home, opt for washable cloth diapers rather than disposable ones. Disposable diapers are responsible for a significant chunk of the waste in our landfills.
  • Save cardboard from Amazon boxes and reuse them for gifts or storage. Consider wrapping gifts in newspaper or already used paper instead of purchasing new wrapping paper.
  • Reuse old clothes, towels, or sheets as cloth napkins or cleaning rags as a sustainable alternative to paper towels.
  • Use your electronics until they’re worn out, even if the new model is tempting. You can donate old electronics or go to an E-Waste center.


 

Recycle

  • Recycling reduces the need to produce new materials, conserving resources such as timber and water and preventing pollution.
  • Recycle whenever possible! CU Boulder Zero Waste provides a list of all recyclable materials at most trash cans on campus, as well as online.
  • Each residence hall on campus contains recycling, as does each on campus building. Recycling stations where you can drop off your items are located outside each building.
  • Recycling in the dorms is single stream, meaning that all recyclable items can be put in the same container. On-campus recycling outside of the residence halls is dual stream, which means that you have to separate papers from containers.
  • It is illegal to throw electronics in the landfill in Colorado. Instead, drop your cell phones and laptops, as well as other hard to recycle materials such as batteries, at kiosks located in the UMC or Norlin Library.
  • If you live off campus, the Boulder County Recycling Center accepts single stream recycling. You can also drop off your recycling at one of the centers in the area.
  • Visit the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials to recycle anything from yoga mats to porcelain sinks to bubble wrap in Boulder County. CHaRM also accepts compostable materials!

Compost

  • CU Boulder Zero Waste provides a list of compostable materials at most trash cans on campus, as well as online.
  • Every dining hall at CU has compost bins where you can sustainably dispose of your food waste. In the residence halls, compost is either collected in the restrooms or the lobby.
  • The city of Boulder has curbside composting! Let your trash hauler know that you would like to compost before you stick your food waste out on the curb.
  • Some papers and plastic are compostable. Make sure you see the words ‘compostable’ ‘#7 PLA’, or ‘BPI certified’ before throwing it into the compost.

 

What is CU doing?

  • University of Colorado was the first university in the nation to establish an on-campus recycling program!
  • CU Boulder’s Grounds Recycling and Operations Center, or ROC, diverted 51.32% of trash from the landfill during the 2017-2018 school year.
  • In 2008, the university founded NCAA’s first Division 1 sustainable athletics program, Ralphie’s Green Stampede. Since then, the program has established a zero waste program in all athletic venues, as well as zero net carbon emissions in all athletic facilities.

 

Cooking

  • If you have a range hood or exhaust fan, use it while cooking (even for a short amount of time).
  • Open doors/windows while cooking to reduce PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers).

Humidity

  • The Mayo Clinic suggest that the ideal range for humidity indoors is between 30% - 50%.
  • Even in less humid environments, mold can build up in bathrooms over an extended period of time.
  • To prevent mold from growing, open windows in bathroom.
  • Invest in a dehumidifier if the bathroom is enclosed.

Cleaning

  • Dust areas that are commonly used.
  • Make sure to use less abrasive cleaners in areas that are used often, to reduce VOCs indoors.

Carbon Monoxide

  • Detection
    • ​​Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and toxic gas.
    • It is hard to detect without a sensor, which is one of the reasons it’s so dangerous.
  • Addressing Problems
    • If your detector goes off, move outside for fresh air and open doors/windows for ventilation.
    • Contact a professional to evaluate your fossil fuel-burning appliances and any other possible source of carbon monoxide to prevent a future incident.
  • More resources here.

Smoking

  • Smoke outside or next to windows.
  • If you have to smoke inside, avoid frequently used rooms.
  • ​Make sure to air out room afterwards.

 

What can you do? 

What is CU doing?

  • Supplies students facing food insecurity with food via the Buff Pantry.
  • Following the Climate Action Plan  to reduce emissions campus wide and figure out where the gaps are in current campus sustainability initiatives.
  • Hosting various talks and presentations on climate such as the Right Here Right Now Climate Summit which gives students and faculty free access to professional talks on how to mitigate climate change.