USGBCNF Blog Green Tip of the Week: 15 Great Green Tips for College Students

College is actually a great time for you to start implementing green living habits. Whether you're participating in a campus recycling program or practicing conservation in your dorm room , there are lots of ways students can be environmentally friendly. Because you have an education, a job, and a social life to maintain, we've compiled a list of the quickest and easiest ways you can be good to the planet from campus.ECO-FRIENDLY COLLEGE STUDENT TIPSTransportation:The University of Maryland estimated that 34 percent of its total greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 were from transportation. Evidently, students who live off campus and drive to and from class several times throughout the day are making a huge environmental impact. Shuttle buses, carpools, and bicycles are all great alternatives to single-driver cars. If you live on campus, however, make sure you keep your car parked and walk or bike to class instead.Textbooks:Breaking down wood fiber to make paper consumes a lot of energy, which usually comes from coal plants. Therefore, the production of brand new textbooks contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. New textbooks also cost an arm and a leg! If some of your courses don't require a new edition, take advantage of used bookstores or websites that specialize in used textbooks, such as Half.Com or Amazon's textbook department. Both of these sites also offer easy-to-use options for selling back your old textbooks. Don't forget to borrow, trade, and sell textbooks among friends and acquaintances as well.Read more... Source: chasinggreen.org