Keeping it GREEN!
Already on Campus?
Recycle
At Duke, we recycle all plastic with a #1 or #2 on the bottom, aluminum and tin cans, glass jars and bottles. Make sure to rinse out everything you recycle and remove the lids. You can also recycle newspaper, magazines, phonebooks, and corrugated cardboard. Remember…don’t throw non-recyclables into the bins.
In your residence hall: In your room you’ll find a blue recycling bin, and in every house there are large recycling containers where you can empty your bins and sort your recyclables.
Save Water
- Get a reusable bottle so you can stop buying bottled – tap water is as clean as bottled water, and try a filter- it will make it taste great!
- Take shorter showers.
- Turn off water when brushing your teeth and shaving.
- Only wash full loads of laundry.
Save Paper
- Think twice…does that need to be printed?
- Print double-sided.
- Save scrap paper for drafts/notepaper.
- Recycle a newspaper by returning it to the bin.
- Use fewer paper towels and tissues; try a cloth napkin or handkerchief instead.
- Buy products made with recycled paper or cardboard.
- Bring your own mug to the coffee shops to reduce waste.
- Get rid of junk mail…
- Send a letter to:
- Mail Preference Service
- Direct Marketing Association
- P.O. Box 9008
- Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
Save Electricity
- Turn off the lights and fan when you leave the room.
- Install compact fluorescent light bulbs – they use 75% less energy than regular bulbs.
- Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees in summer and 68 degrees in winter.
- Open blinds for light during the day.
- Unplug electronics and cell phone chargers --they use electricity even when they're off!
- Turn off computers at night or when you leave your desk, and turn off that printer (or just EPRINT)
- If you leave for the weekend or a short trip, unplug everything in your room or apartment.
- Make sure all the appliances you buy are Energy Star ® certified.
Eat & Shop Green
- Eat more veggies! It takes 5000 gallons of water to create a pound of meat. It takes 30 gallons to create a pound of fruits, vegetables or grains. Use fewer resources and eat healthy.
- Look for organically grown menu options on campus and when shopping buy organically grown products – not only can your apples be organic, but your cotton t-shirts can be too.
- Bring your own bag to the grocery store and recycle used paper and plastic bags.
Travel Green
- Drive less and drive calmly – combine trips and errands, take it easy on the gas and brake pedals, and go slower on the highway (you will improve your gas mileage). Also, don’t idle your engine for more than ten seconds – it takes less gas to turn it off and back on.
- Riding the bus: good for listening to your ipod, people watching and reducing pollution and traffic.
- If you have to fly or drive long distances, purchase carbon off sets. For not too much money, you can make up for all the carbon your travel releases into the atmosphere. Check out Live Neutral for more information.
- Ride a bike, ride the bus, take a walk, or carpool. (Remember you can get a bike from the Outpost.)
- Fly less.
Green Thrift
- Don’t throw away all your stuff when you move into and out of your residence hall or apartment – sell or donate it.
- Get what you need from garage sales, second-hand stores, Craigslist, or Facebook marketplace. Chances are, you can find it at those places instead of going to the store and paying full price.
- If you have to buy new, shop local. It helps support your local economy, and it can also mean shorter transport distances for your goods.
