Global Warming Tips for Back to School

by Deb Powers

By this week, most college students are sitting around trying to figure out the best ways to personalize that dorm room. Shopping for your first real "place" can be a lot of fun - but shopping responsibly to furnish your new dorm room can be better than fun. You'll end up with a room that not only looks great and reflects you, but one that also reflects your commitment to a greener planet.

Not sure how to shop green for your new dorm? Here are ten tips for furnishing your dorm room that will help you fight global warming and be kinder to the planet.

1.  Shop the thrift stores for major items. Your dorm room will come furnished with the major furniture - bed, desk, closet, dresser - but if you want a comfy chair or a sofa, you'll have to provide your own. Best bet - check the local secondhand stores for your major items. That way, you'll be re-using an item instead of buying one that uses up more resources.
2. Shop Craigslist! Even better than thrift store shopping - scour your local Craigslist listings for FREE items at the end/beginning of the month. That's when folks are clearing out of their rented digs and having to get rid of furnishing they don't want to cart along. Anything that you pick up from Craigslist is something you save from the landfill, since most of those things will be put out at the curb for the trash the day after moving day.
3. Reconsider the dorm room fridge. A dorm room refrigerator is a nice convenience to have, but how much use will you really get from it? If it's going to sit empty except for a six pack 90% of the time, reconsider other ways to keep your drinks cold and save the energy to run your fridge.
4. Invest in a power strip to stop "vampire appliances". Appliances like phone chargers, televisions, can openers and the like draw energy even when they're not turned on. You could promise yourself that you'll unplug them after using them - or you could invest in a power strip with an easy on-off switch so that you can leave your stuff plugged in - but stop the electricity flow.
5. Buy a bike! Reduce your individuall carbon footprint - and get healthier - by bringing your bike to school with you. Don't own a bike? Buy one secondhand off Craigslist. Chances are that you can get to most anywhere you need to go by bicycle because campuses are designed to have everything you need close by.
6. Buy a party cup - and other dishes. Avoid the trap of using disposable cups and dishes which only add to the garbage stream. Instead, buy a distinctive cup to take with you to parties - and ask your friends to do the same. (HT to Carbonfund.org) Do the same with your morning coffee - buy a travel cup.
7. Buy energy efficient light bulbs for your lamps. Yeah, those swirly ones - compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use far less electricity to run than the usual incandescent bulbs. And keep your eye out for new, more affordable LED lights that use even less energy.
8. Go natural for carpets and floor coverings. First, consider whether you actually need carpets. Carpets are more likely to trap germs and dust, and contribute to allergies. If you really want something to keep your tootsies warm on those cold mornings, look for woven dhurries and canvas floorcloths that are easier to keep clean - and aren't made with synthetic petroleum based fibers.
9. Use natural cleaning products in your room. Yeah, you know you'll have to clean sometime. Invest in natural cleaning products rather than harsh chemicals.
10. Buy a sweater or three. Instead of turning up the heat as the weather gets cold, put on a sweater, a hoodie, a warm pair of socks or a fuzzy bathrobe. It's the easy way to keep warm without increasing energy usage.