Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/844173
National Catholic Forester 12 CONT. FROM PAGE 10 TIPS FOR GOING GREEN IN COLLEGE forget your reusable canvas bags. Every plastic bag that is kept out of the environment is a good thing, and in some areas, you might even be saving money by using your own bags. ADOPT THE 'UPCYCLE' MINDSET Before you toss anything, ask yourself: What other use does this have? You can fi nd new uses for almost anything. Consider it an opportunity to use your ingenuity and maybe save some money while helping the earth. If you can't fi nd a use for it, consider freecycling it – giving it away. And if that doesn't work, recycle. CUT VAMPIRE POWER That laptop charger, phone charger, television, and any other electronics that stay plugged in all the time are slowly drawing power. It's just a bit, but it adds up over time. Cut down on this vampire draw by investing in a power strip, and simply turn it off when you leave the room. TAKE CARE WITH ENTERTAINMENT Instead of cluttering up your dorm room with video games, movies and the like, look for ways to get that same entertainment for free or cheap. Rent movies from the library for free or a nominal fee; turn to services like Redbox to rent games, or borrow from friends. Want to see the latest movies? Find a community park that hosts free movie nights. ACQUIRE A BIKE Riding a bike everywhere on campus is a time-honored tradition that deserves to be upheld. Look for a good, sturdy bike that will last for a long time, because it will take a beating over the span of your education. Invest in a very sturdy lock, too. Then ride everywhere to save on time, money, and emissions. REUSE PAPER How many times have you printed out several pages of notes or reports? Now, how many times have you turned that paper over and used the completely clean and empty side? Simple reuse of paper in this way can cut down signifi cantly on how much you go through in a semester. GET YOUR FRIENDS INVOLVED When one person gets excited about going green, others tend to catch the fever. Invite your friends to help you with the organic garden, shop for sustainable items and otherwise do their part to make life easier for themselves and the world at large. Your simple enthusiasm can be a catalyst for change! HOST A SWAP PARTY Why buy new when you can trade? Hosting a swap party that involves everything from clothing to video games can give you something that is gently used but 'new to you' – and it saves money while keeping more consumer goods out of the environment. "These may seem like mere drops in the bucket, but these are great fi rst steps," Derr said. READ MORE HERE: AffordableCollegesOnline.org Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2017. www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/going-green-on-campus