Colorado State University is rated one of the most-sustainable universities in the world, thanks to, in large part, our students. Want to be a part of the green movement on campus when you get here? Here are some ideas.
#1. Leave your vehicle at home
With all of the great alternative modes of transportation available at and around CSU, there’s no need to have a personal vehicle on campus. Many students opt to bring a bike, instead. CSU and Fort Collins are top-rated spots for bikers with 300+ miles of bike paths. There’s even a student-run bike repair shop on campus called The Spoke, which offers free hands-on learning opportunities for bike maintenance. Additionally, all campus and city buses are included in your student fees; just use your RamCard. CSU also has services that allow you to rent a bike , a car, or a scooter.
#2. Buy second hand
Buying previously owned items like microwaves or lamps for your residence hall room is better on the planet (and your wallet). Check out CSU Surplus or your local thrift store for some great finds. #3. Save your boxes and packaging from move-in day
If you keep all your moving and packing material, you’ll have what you need when you move out at the end of the year. If you can’t stand to hang on to those boxes (or don’t have space) until you leave, be responsible and recycle them appropriately. Fort Collins was the first community in Colorado to require corrugated cardboard to be recycled or reused. There will be cardboard corrals near your residence hall during move in, and cardboard recycling is always available in waste-sorting areas on campus. #4. Hang onto the reusable water bottle you’ll get on move-in day
You’ll need to stay hydrated at Colorado’s high elevation. Reduce the amount of plastic water bottles being wasted by using the CSU reusable water bottle or by bringing your own. The CSU bottle can be used to get to-go drinks from the dining centers on campus, as well. #5. Increase the amount of plant products you eat
Carbon emissions created by the production of meat and dairy products are significantly higher than those created by vegetables. Don’t want to cut out meat or dairy? You can still help out by looking for food in the dining centers labeled as a local product. Local food products require less transportation, resulting in a lower carbon footprint. The dining centers even have lettuce grown right here on campus. Want to learn more? Check out nutrition information for CSU’s dining centers. #6. Compost what you can
Nearly all food waste from the dining centers gets composted at CSU’s Foothills Campus, where it’s turned into fertilizer for university landscaping projects. Each dining center also has public access compost bins where you can drop off any of your compostable to-go containers and uneaten food scraps. #7. Apply to be an Eco Leader
As a former Eco Leader, I highly recommend that you fill out an application if you’ll be living on campus and are interested in sustainability. Eco Leaders learn about sustainability and promote sustainable living behavior on campus. It’s an opportunity to be able to learn about environmental responsibility. Eco Leaders get a housing stipend and take a sustainability course through the School of Global Environmental Sustainability. About the author
Matt was a sustainability intern at CSU Housing and Dining Services and a student in the Warner College of Natural Resources. His passions include sustainability and playing the viola. 