Inspired by the work I do at my internship (promoting energy conservation in the residence halls) I have compiled a list comparing how you can save not only on campus but if you live off campus:
On campus students DO actually pay for their wastefulness (25% of housing bill goes to energy costs). But there are plenty of ways to save. On top of all the suggestions on the Take Charge website (www.takecharge.psu.edu) I have a few suggestions of my own:
- At the dining halls…..Try to eat in the dining area rather than taking your food back in a plastic bag or Styrofoam container. This will reduce your trash.
- Laundry…..Students have to pay for laundry in the dorms ($1 wash, $0.75 dry). So be sure to do full loads only, this will reduce water waste AND less loads can save you money! Also, try to do your wash in cold water; it saves a ton of energy.
- Report drafty windows to your RA, asap!
Since there is already a large website page dedicated to saving on campus, I’ll focus on off campus savings, since most apartment renters see their wastefulness first hand each month in their bills. Here are some suggestions that can save a lot of money (the environment too!)
- Most Realtors require tenants to pay electric/heat bill.
- Cooking for yourself…..Buy reusable grocery bags (normally only a few dollars). This can reduce the buildup of plastic bags in the landfills and some stores even give you a discount if you bring your own bag. If you do have plastic bags around your apartment, take them to a local store to have them recycled. If you bring a lunch to campus, use reusable lunch totes and sandwich wraps (check out: www.reusablebags.com for stylish suggestions)
- Dishes…..If you do dishes by hand, shut the water off while drying a dish or when soaping up, saving small amounts of water at a time can really add up. If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, be sure to do only full loads, like laundry.
- Laundry…..if you have to go to the Laundromat, just like on campus, you have to pay per load. It’s a little more expensive so again, full loads will save you. Some Laundromats offer a reduced price if you wash ‘cold only’. If you DO have a washer/dryer in your apartment, full loads will save on bills and cold water will save hot water for other things!
- Lighting…..light bulbs are always the responsibility of the tenant. Change out incandescent for fluorescent. They’re pricier, but if you split a pack of 4 for $7 between roommates it’s not so bad. Plus they can save on electric bills.
- Keep your realtor informed…..It’s their responsibility to maintain the property, so if there are leaky faucets or drafts report them ASAP. You can save them or yourself money and reduce huge wastes. Also, if they don’t use low-flow shower ($5 at Wal-Mart) and faucet heads suggest they do, or change them out yourself (be sure to keep the old and put them back when you move out!!)
Money and energy saving lifestyle changes can be pretty small. Hope this list can help some of you money strapped or environmentally conscience college students out there!
Filed under: electricity conservation, money saver!, reducing waste, water conservation
My organization is looking for students who want to make a dfference. Over Winter Break we are asking students to visit their friends, relatives and alumni like me to “switch-out” old light bulbs for new CFL light bulbs. The benefits will be as follows: exposure to the States Utility Industry and Energy Efficiency Industry, experience in entreprenuership and earning extra cash for each bulb replaced/sold. For more information, contact bob.fiori@gmail.com
Not that I’m totally impressed, but this is a lot more than I expected for when I found a link on Delicious telling that the info is awesome. Thanks.
Честно говоря, сначала до конца не понял, но со второго раза дошло – спасибо!