Meet Sustainable Buffs: Find your way to get involved at CU Boulder
Interested in sustainability but not sure where to start? Maybe you already bike or take the bus, want to waste less food or are simply curious to learn more.
Sustainable Buffs is CU Boulder’s community of students, staff and faculty who are working toward a more sustainable campus.
And there’s no one way to be a Sustainable Buff. You don’t need to know everything about sustainability or change everything you do. Start with something that interests you, learn more and see where it takes you.
Sustainable Buffs is organized around five pillars that connect sustainability to everyday campus life. Each offers a different way to explore sustainability and how to get involved.
Here are five places you can start.
1. Resource conservation: Make your space more sustainable
“I am a Sustainable Buff because I turn my food waste into compost.” - Grace
Resource conservation for a Sustainable Buff is about using food, energy, and water thoughtfully and finding ways to reduce waste.
An EcoVisit is an easy place to start. You’ll meet with a peer sustainability expert who can answer your questions about how to recycle and compost and help you find practical ways to save energy and water where you live.
Students who participate receive a free EcoKit with items such as reusable utensils, LED light bulbs and a low-flow showerhead.
Try it: Book an EcoVisit.
2. Zero waste: Learn where your stuff goes
Ever stood in front of the recycling, compost and trash bins wondering where something goes? You’re not alone.
Zero waste is about using less, reusing what we can and keeping materials out of the landfill when possible. At CU Boulder, you can see these efforts in residence halls, dining spaces, campus events and other places you visit every day.
One way to get involved is Ralphie’s Green Stampede, where volunteers help make CU Boulder athletic events more sustainable. It’s a chance to meet other students, learn more about zero waste and make a difference at a Buffs game.
Try it: Volunteer with Ralphie’s Green Stampede.
3. Transportation: Find your way around
Want to explore your options for getting around campus and Boulder?
Your Buff OneCard gives you access to eligible bus services, and the Transit app can help you plan trips and see when your bus is coming. If biking is more your speed, CU Boulder’s bike stations can help with repairs and maintenance, and you can register your bike on campus.
Whether you bike, bus, walk, scoot or use a mix, you can find an option that works for you.
Try it: Register your bike or stop by a CU Boulder bike station.
4. Climate justice: Explore connections between people and the environment
What does sustainability have to do with people, communities and history?
Climate justice explores how environmental issues can affect people and communities differently—and how we can work toward solutions that are more equitable.
You don’t need to be an expert to join the conversation. The Environmental Center’s Energy and Climate Justice program offers opportunities to learn, ask questions and connect with others, including events and educational experiences.
Try it: Join an upcoming Climate Justice Team event, such as the Native Fall Foraging Series.
5. Governance: Turn your ideas into action
Have an idea for making CU Boulder more sustainable?
Students have helped shape sustainability efforts across campus, and there are ways to add your ideas and voice.
For example, the Sustainable CU Grant helps fund student, staff and faculty projects that advance sustainability at CU Boulder. Students can also learn about campus sustainability efforts and opportunities to participate through the Environmental Board.
You don’t have to wait until you’re an expert to get involved. Curiosity and a good idea are enough to get started.
Try it: Explore other ways to get involved in sustainability at CU Boulder.
Start with what interests you
"I'm a Sustainable Buff because my favorite thing about learning about regenerative agriculture practices is sharing that knowledge with friends." - Isabella
Being a Sustainable Buff doesn’t mean doing everything on this list. You might start by learning where to recycle, taking the bus somewhere new, volunteering at a football game or showing up to an event because the topic sounds interesting.
Start where you are. Find what matters to you. Take one step. Then see where it leads.
Ready to explore? Take the Sustainable Buffs Pledge and discover Environmental Center programs, events and resources that can help you find your place in sustainability at CU Boulder.