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Sustainable Action Guide

Follow these tips to incorporate sustainability into your everyday routine. Sustainability isn't about doing everything perfectly – it's about finding what works for you!

Table of Contents

In Your Living Space

Reduce and Divert Waste

  • Sort your waste; check out the online waste guide for your building in the residence halls or The Green
  • Choose reusable items instead of single-use disposables:
    • Reusable water bottle to refill at filtered water refill stations in the Res Halls and across campus
    • Reusable coffee/tea mug
    • Reusable utensil kit
    • Reusable plates, bowls, and/or containers
    • Reusable napkin
    • Reusable hand towel
    • Reusable bag
    • Reusable straw, if able
  • Upcycle, repurpose, or repair items instead of throwing them away or buying new
  • Donate gently-used items
  • Refuse unnecessary swag, single-use items, etc.

Save Energy

  • Use Energy Star Rated electronics/appliances that consume less energy
  • Use the desk lamp instead of overhead lighting (Res Hall students- exchange burnt out bulbs for new ones at the ASD)
  • Use smart power strips
  • Unplug chargers and other electronics that are not in use
  • Stop charging electronic devices once they are fully charged
  • Use power management features on your computer set up sleep mode and and lower screen brightness; this helps extend the battery too
  • Take advantage of natural light and open the blinds
  • Turn off the lights when you leave the room
  • If able, take the stairs instead of the elevator
  • Put on/take off extra layers of clothes instead of using the AC/heating
  • Use your thermostat efficiently
    • Open a window if the temperature outside is more desirable than the temperature inside and turn off AC/heating at same time
    • On warm days, close blinds to reduce heat gain from sunlight
    • Close all windows and doors while the heater or air conditioning is on
    • The Department of Energy recommends 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter
    • Residence Hall students- consult our thermostat user guide online

Conserve Water

  • Turn off the water when not directly in use. (i.e. while brushing your teeth, shaving, lathering hands, or washing dishes).
  • Take efficient showers. Challenge yourself to take a two-song shower!
  • Report leaks using Student Housing and Dining Service's online service request

Practice Green Cleaning

  • Clean your space responsibly using non-toxic cleaning products. Make your own, or look for products that are Green Seal certified, EcoLogo or EPA Safer Choice
    • Res Hall students – you can check out green cleaning supplies from the Area Service Desk

In The Laundry Rooms

  • Wash a full load or adjust settings for smaller loads
  • Use the cold-water setting
  • Air-dry your clothing using a drying rack
  • Use non-toxic laundry detergent
  • Use wool dryer balls with essential oils as an alternative to dryer sheets

In the Classroom:

  • Look for school supplies that are made with recycled content
  • Use refillable ink pens and/or mechanical pencils
  • Utilize both sides of your paper when taking notes and printing
  • Use recycled and/or "good-on-one-side" paper
  • Use soy-ink notebooks

In the Dining Commons:

  • "Just Ask" a staff member customize a meal to your liking
  • "Try a Taste" of a dish before committing to a full plate
  • Love food, not waste by only taking what you can eat and one plate at a time. Still hungry? You can always go back for more.
  • Limit napkin use, or bring a reusable napkin to the Dining Commons
  • Choose sustainable food options, such a local, organic, or Fair Trade menu options
  • Choose a plant-forward meal that has a higher proportion of plant-based proteins compared to animal-based proteins.

In the Kitchen:

  • Use reusables dishes, glasses, and cutlery instead of single-use paper or plastic
  • Save leftovers for another meal in reusable containers. Pro-tip: consider upcycling glass sauce, jam, olive, etc. jars as storage containers
  • Store food efficiently to keep it fresh and tasty for as long as possible
  • Correctly decipher 'best before' and 'use by' food dates so food doesn't go to waste. Learn more at savethefood.com.
  • Learn to cook through the Student Health and Counseling Center Teaching Kitchen
  • Explore resources to enhance personal food security through Aggie Compass

In the Marketplace:

  • Choose sustainably sourced products, such as:
  • Be a conscious consumer – learn more about the environmental and social impacts of the products you are purchasing
  • Buy used items instead of buying new
  • Purchase items with minimal packaging, or packaging that is reusable, recyclable, and/or compostable items
  • For online orders, ask for no plastic and/or minimal packaging
  • Use the bulk bin to purchase goods and bring your own container, if able

On the Go

In Your Community

  • Find an aspect of sustainability that speaks to you and get involved
  • Talk to your peers about actions you are taking and how they can also get involved
  • Advocate for the changes you want to see on-campus
  • Attend a sustainability event

You Belong Here

Student Affairs programs and services are open to all, consistent with state and federal law as well as the University of California’s nondiscrimination policies. Every initiative—whether a student service or community event—is designed to be accessible, inclusive and respectful of all identities. To learn more, visit UC Nondiscrimination Statement or Nondiscrimination Policy Statement for University of California Publications Regarding Student-Related Matters.