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Take Action In The Residence Halls
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
Reduce and Divert Waste
- Find out how and where to divert waste in your residence hall, visit https://housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/waste-diversion-guide/guides-by-area/
- Use reusables instead of single use items:
- Use a reusable bottle to refill at filtered water refill stations in the Res Halls and across campus
- Use a reusable straw, if able
- Use a reusable cloth over paper towels and napkins
- Use reusable containers to pack snacks, store food, school supplies, etc.
- Use a reusable bag and avoid the 10 cent single-use bag charge in the city of Davis
- Use refillable pens and pencils
- Take electronic notes or use 100% recycled notebooks with soy ink
- Print double-sided and use good-on-one side paper
- Upcycle or repurpose items instead of throwing them away
- Repair items instead of throwing them away or buying new; find repair tutorials online!
- Buy used — Did you know the campus has two second hand stores? Visit Aggie Reuse and Aggie Surplus
Be Water Wise
- Take efficient showers (Take a two-song shower!)
- Turn off the faucet when not directly using the water (i.e. while brushing your teeth, shaving, lathering hands or washing dishes)
- Wash full loads of laundry in cold water
- Report leaks using Student Housing and Dining Service's online service request
Save Energy
- Coordinate with roommates on sharing energy-consuming items such as refrigerators, microwaves, TV's, etc.
- Use the computer centers for your printing needs instead of a personal printer
- Use Energy Star Rated electronics/appliances that consume less energy
- Enable power management features on your computer
- Turn down the brightness of your computer monitor
- Stop charging your electronic devices once they are fully charged
- Turn off and unplug your electronics when not in use, and use a smart power strip
- Take advantage of natural light and open the blinds
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- Use the desk lamp instead of overhead lighting
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator, if able
- Hang dry laundry, when available
- Temperature Control
- Put on/take off extra layers of clothes instead of using the AC/heating
- 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
- Read the Thermostat User Guide for instructions on how to use your thermostat
- 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
Eat Sustainably
- Bring reusables and reduce waste of single use items when eating out:
- Reusable Beverage Containers, Straws, Utensils, Cloth Napkins, Bags
- Save leftovers for another meal
- Choose plant forward meals (meals that focus on plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes and can include animal-based ingredients in a smaller proportion)
- Shop for local and seasonal foods (Did you know the campus hosts a farmers market in fall and spring quarters?)
- Shop for other sustainably sourced foods, such as:
- Find free food on campus and in the city of Davis through the Aggie Compass
In the Dining Commons:
- "Try a Taste" of a meal before committing to an entire plate
- "Just Ask" the server to customize any meal (no bun, half portion, no cheese, extra veggies, etc.) to your liking
- Look for the sustainable icon on menu signage that identifies foods that are sustainably sourced (local, organic, fair trade, humane, and sustainable seafood)
- Take one plate at a time. You can always get more if you are still hungry!
Transportation
- Learn about your transportation options in the City of Davis and beyond (undergraduate students can ride Unitrans for free with their student ID card
- Join the goClub
- Learn about the bicycle rules of the road and find bicycle resources
Green Cleaning
- Check out green cleaning products from your Area Service Desk to clean your space responsibly
- Make your own cleaning products using vinegar or baking soda as a base and store in a reusable container
Get Involved
In the Res Halls:
- Stay Connected — sign-up for the Sustainability and Nutrition Newsletter
- Attend sustainability programs
- Stop by sustainability tabling in the Dining Commons
- Volunteer at the Resident Garden @ Segundo
- Join the Sustainability Squad
- Participate in the annual Energy and Water Challenge
- Join your Hall Council and plan a sustainability events (email sustainablehousing@ucdavis.edu for program ideas)
- Host a sustainability program for your residence hall floor (email sustainablehousing@ucdavis.edu for more info)
On Campus:
- Sign-up for the UC Davis Office of Sustainability list-serve to receive campus sustainability announcements
- Take a sustainability class on campus
- Join a sustainability-related student organization and get involved with campus sustainability
- Connect with more sustainability resources on campus
In the City of Davis:
- City of Davis Sustainability
- Buy used
- Shop for local and seasonal foods at the Davis Farmers Market in downtown Davis
- Find plant-based restaurants
Have more tips? Email them to sustainablehousing@ucdavis.edu.