Super Eco

Photo credit: manuelfloresv's on flickr

Every September is an opportunity for a fresh start as students head back to school. It is important to remember that old adage "well begun is half done" when planning your green dorm strategy. Let's face it, it's a pretty small room so it is important to be careful what you cram it full of.

To ensure yourself a year of good air quality and eco-friendly living, you've got to be lean and clean, here are some helpful tips for greening your dorm:

1. The very first thing to do is examine your room thoroughly, checking for bed bugs and other unwanted pests that may have been left behind by former occupants. Acquaint yourself with the whole Bed bug issue before heading to school.
2. A good and thorough cleaning will be the next step. Use simple homemade cleaning products like the big three: lemons, baking soda and vinegar. These are cheap and effective cleaning solutions. Avoid anti-bacterial cleaners, you don't need them to get your place clean and they have some serious downsides.
3. Leave the grime and dirt from the street on your shoes not your floor. Adopt a "No Shoes" policy for your room, people are usually happy to remove their shoes before entering and before you know it, you won't even have to ask. 
4. Use recycled, re-purposed, upcycled furniture, accoutrements and clothing items to outfit your room and closet. Avoid the urge to clutter your space!
5. Be aware of energy sucking, vampire appliances and take measures to green your computer.
6. Keep your indoor air quality good by not buying items that are likely to offgass. If you are going to paint any surfaces use a no-VOC paint. Stay away from heavily perfumed anything, natural oils used sparingly are enough to improve the way your room smells. A little bowl with ground or stick cinnamon--refresh monthly--is enough to give your small room a welcome smell. Do not use paraffin or lead wicked candles, if you must or are allowed to burn candles in your room, stick with eco-friendly varieties.
7. Save yourself a sore throat and get an eco-friendly shower curtain, you won't regret the investment!
8. Stick to eco-friendly, organic bedding solutions whenever possible for a good night's sleep.
9. Green your laundry by using low impact detergents and avoiding toxic dryer softener sheets.
10. Choose green personal care products for your bod! Try a great gluten-free cosmetic resource.
11. Plan your meals and eat simply and well. Always have plenty of healthy snacks on hand as a survival tool, fruit, nuts, crackers and cheese travel well and keep you going between meals. Here is a resource for gluten-free snacking, and gluten-free eating for college students.
12. If you are unsure about water quality at your college, and don't want to waste money and the precious natural resources by buying bottled water, a PUR water filtration system is a great idea.
13. Go paperless whenever possible, use recycled paper and recycle what you use.
14. Remember to get up and out and get some exercise have a green moment, a green hour, a green day!

Good Luck and have a great year!