School is back in session! 5 tips to creating a more sustainable campus:

With all the little ones back in school that can only mean one thing: the fall college semester is right around the corner for all of the older kids. But what does that mean for our environment? It is a question we don’t think about when we talk with our children about their classes, that pesky locker combination that they just can’t seem to remember or their favorite new teacher. But that can change- Next time, try talking to your children about 5 simple things they can do differently to create a more sustainable campus:

1) Stop using disposable items: Plastic forks, cups, knives or anything else that can be thrown directly into the trash. Most of these things are not made of biodegradable materials, which means that they sit in a landfill for HUNDREDS of years!

2) Go digital: Now, not all schools will allow this but for those that will, this is a great alternative. It reduces paper usage and lets you keep all of your info in one convenient place that you can take anywhere!

3) Get cycling: Cars produce pollution. When at all possible, take a bike to your destination!

4) Hold off on heating/AC: As hard as it might sound, we all reach for these options way too quickly. Instead, next time you are a little chilly, grab a blanket or put on a few extra layers of clothes. If you are getting too warm, try opening the windows.

5) Last but not least, RECYCLE! It seems so obvious but it is a small step that makes a huge difference and we seem to forget it so often. Whether it be paper, plastic, electronic or clothing, there is almost always a place that will recycle it for you!

To sum it all up, creating a sustainable campus that will make school at least visually appealing, is something easy that we all can be a part of. Keep your kids informed and show them how they can make a difference!

Are you looking for more information about recycling in schools or how to help your campus go green? Check out these links from:

http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/8-tips-more-sustainable-campus

http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/most-sustainable-campuses

http://www.nature.org/greenliving/gogreen/everydayenvironmentalist/go-green-on-campus.xml