ORIENTATION 2010: GO GREEN

HWS President Mark D. Gearan signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in September 2007 and compact fluorescent light bulbs have been going off over our heads ever since! From recycling contests to a bike sharing program, the Colleges' students, faculty and staff have been moving at breakneck speed to make the campus climate neutral and sustainable! When you arrive on campus, you will have access to a number of resources that can reduce your impact on the environment, for example your room comes with a recycling bin, we encourage tray-less dining and there is a ride board and shuttle system to cut down on driving.

In the coming weeks you may be buying mini-fridges, small appliances (like hair dryers) and supplies for your desk. Many of these purchases will stay with you during all four years of your education and have a lasting impact on the environment. We want you to consider joining the HWS community in trying to buy environmentally responsible products that will help reduce our over-all carbon footprint.

As you're packing and planning, remember: less is best when it comes to the environment. Consider what you really need, what you can get away without having and what you can do to promote the environment when you arrive on campus. For example, do you and your roommate both need mini-fridges? Just some things to consider.

Green Items to Pack

• Water filters (like a Brita) and Nalgene bottles. Plastic water bottles are wasteful and expensive, so save money while you save the planet.
• Re-using is a wonderful thing—ask your parents if there is anything you can “borrow” from the house!
• Energy Star products help save the environment and save consumers money by using less energy—consider buying Energy Star appliances for your residence.
• Recycled printer paper
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Drying racks for clothing (will save lots of money and lots of CO2 emissions)
• Fabric bags for groceries—a must with Wegmans just up the street
• Bike!
• A reusable mug
• A dry erase whiteboard, instead of Post-it notes

Green Places to Shop for Supplies

• American Apparel is an all inclusive business in the US and treats its workers fairly.
• Sustainable Group provides environmentally smart office supplies.
• SunDance Solar is a great source for solar products, like this solar battery charger. Remember: Geneva is sunny when it’s warm out!
• Solar Style offers a variety of solar chargers for personal communication devices.
• Green Earth Office Supply provides a wide range of green office supplies.

 

Once you arrive on campus, there are plenty of places you can shop that will also reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the length of time you (and your products) have to travel. Re-using items is also important to the environment. Here's a sampling of local places to get great locally made and grown products:

Normal Bread Bakery
111 Washington Street, Geneva

Mother Earth Natural Foods
440 Exchange Street Geneva
(315) 789-2714

Red Jacket Orchards
957 Routes 5 & 20, Geneva
(315) 781-2749

 

MORE INFO

Interested in the Big, Green Ideas going on at HWS? Want to know more about what HWS has done and what you can do to lessen your impact on the environment?

Check out We're Green, the online home for all things eco-friendly on campus.

If you'd like more advice about living green on a college campus, check out It's Easy Being Green.

NOTE

Please note: the lists on this page were put together by HWS students and faculty but in no way represent an endorsement by Hobart and William Smith Colleges.