It’s August! For a lot of kids that means back to school, but for a lot of graduated teenagers it means a big first move to college that involves a lot of emotions, experience, and – of course – stuff. While it’s a big experience, it can also mean a big opportunity for waste and adding to your carbon footprint. If you’re looking to help your kids green up their dorm room while having a fun dorm room experience, there are a number of things you can do to help keep their dorm room eco-friendly. And you never know – all the new friends they make might pick up on their new green habits!

Of course, the number one thing we recommend is that you give your incoming freshman as many extra items from around the house that they can reuse as possible. Small lamps (reused with an energy effecient light bulb), reusable storage options, proper-fitting sheets, and a throw pillow or two from home will not only save on money, but also still keep a sense of home in their dorm room. For a lot of kids, this is their first time away from home, so at least having a few familiar items can make them feel comfortable. Even better, set up a swap or have a yard sale and see what kind of items your neighbors can contribute, and maybe even end up with some spending money for items your teen would like to have in their room.

A lot of keywords you should keep in mind when moving into a dorm room include Freecycling, thrift shopping, upcycling and recycling. The more you can do with all of these, the better! So here are some of the basics you can green up when moving into a new dorm:

Storage

  • The number one rule is: don’t pack in cardboard boxes if you don’t have to! While there are companies that make recyclable boxes, you’re better off using items that you already have or that you can get from a yard sale, Goodwill, or even online at places like Craigslist.
  • Storage also doesn’t only mean a place to put clothes or knick-knacks from home. It also includes backpacks and water bottles. Personally, I used the same backpack in college that I did in high school (in fact, I still have it all these years later!) – because, really, it’s not like it became useless for carrying books and folders!  There are also plenty of backpacks and bags that are made of organic materials for new students.

 

Eating

  • Every year, more and more colleges are tweaking their menus and integrating vegetarian and vegan options in their meal plans. For most kids, eating on campus can get boring after a while, so every once in awhile they may buy food off-campus and need to store it somewhere. Micro-fridges are an energy suck, so if your freshman can go fridgeless, it’s the best option to take. Most dorms have a shared kitchen, so buying some reused utensils that can be used with food stored in the shared kitchen is the way to go.
  • When looking for food, many college towns offer farmer’s markets that will have locally-grown produce, much of it picked or harvested that day! I went to school near an orange orchard, and there was nothing better than eating an orange that was picked that morning. Having healthy snacks around helped when I was writing papers and studying for exams.

 

Laundry

  • Yes, the dreaded laundry. If you’re a parent whose teen has moved very far away from home and can’t come home to wash their clothes, they can keep a little greener when in their dorm room. Online, you can find all-natural, organic laundry bags for under $20 that are easy to lug anywhere.
  • Detergent is always needed, so choose one that’s non-toxic and natural. Even in big grocery stores, you can find natural detergents that will clean your clothes while not destroying the environment. Or, you can go the DIY route and make your own detergent! Vinegar, essential oils, water, and baking soda all go into natural detergents. You can find many detergent recipes all over the Internet.
  • As we all know, laundry dryers suck up a lot of energy, so a good alternative to using them is hanging clothes up to dry on clotheslines. (And it will also save your teen some more trips to the laundry room if they’re that lazy!) A retractable clothesline is easy and will mean less quarters to put in the dryer!

 

Furniture

  • Of course, dorms provide students with a bed and a desk with a chair, so a throw pillow from home always makes a room more comfortable. Since the beds will be different from back home, organic cotton sheets are your best bet if you’re buying new, while local thrift stores may also have sheets in the sizes you’re looking for.
  • Also looking at the local Craigslist or Freecycling sites will help with searching for lamps, lampshades, and even small pillows. Also, don’t count out making your own pillowcases, covers and even lampshades with old sheets or recycled paper. Of course, with the lamps, make sure you’re using energy-efficient bulbs!

 

Many college campuses have recycling programs now, so knowing what to throw where should be easy. If possible, take a walk around campus and find out where the recycling bins are so your teen knows where to put paper, plastic, and cans. As always, going green early can mean the habits are already formed for your incoming freshman!

What are your green tips for the dorm?  Like us on Facebook and tell us about them!

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Image via Flickr Creative Commons: i5a