Every residential hall has a designated location with recycling and trash bins. Look for those and utilize them to the best of your ability. Let us reduce waste one box at a time! ๐
It will be a bit hectic during the move-in but try to bring your reusable water bottle. Do your best to avoid single-use utensils and get a few cotton or linen cloths to use instead of single-use napkins or paper towels.
Do your best to procure ENERGY STAR labeled electronics or those certified by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). Those tend to work more efficiently and have a longer lifespan than an average device.
Instead of buying new boxes every year, try using reusable containers like moving bags with handles for easy transport, sealable storage bins, or suitcases. Remember to save your boxes for later or flatten and recycle them!
- The cardboard used in cardboard boxes is one of the most environmentally- friendly materials, as it can be recycled up to 25 times.
- Reusing containers you already own can help reduce waste around your household and saves you money in the long run!
Rather than buying bubble wrap for your move, consider using sheets, towels, and clothing to reduce waste
- Bubble wrap is not biodegradable and takes between 10 and 1,000 years to decompose once itโs in a landfill completely.
- If you were to throw away bubble wrap today, it could still be sitting in a landfill in year 2272!
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If you need to use cardboard boxes, check in with shops in your area to arrange to pick up their used ones after deliveries
- Used cardboard boxes help reduce waste and get the most uses possible out of your cardboard
- This can also help develop a healthy relationship with your favorite local shop owners
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Rather than buying new items for your new living space, remember there are many opportunities to shop pre-loved when you get to campus!
- Shopping for second-hand clothing and home goods decreases the demand for new materials and the amount of energy going into them. It also keeps materials out of our landfills!
- Keep your eyes peeled for an event hosted by Trash 2 Treasure that will give you an on-campus opportunity to shop second-hand!
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If you are interested in learning more about recycling, take a look at Recycle Smart to learn more about recycling practices in Massachusetts and gain more knowledge about mindfully recycling.
