Green Living: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Housing Options for Students
The university experience represents an important time of transition in a young person’s life. No longer under the direct care and supervision of parents and family, students get their first real taste of independence and freedom in college. One of the most significant choices made during this new phase is where to live.
Delving into green living with sustainable and eco-friendly housing options for students underscores the pivotal role of environmentally conscious choices, and when researching this subject for academic purposes, adhering to MRHA referencing standards ensures the credibility and accuracy of information in scholarly works. For environmentally-conscious students, housing decisions present an opportunity to reduce ecological impact through sustainable, eco-friendly living. By selecting green housing aligned with their values, students can promote responsible resource use and become better stewards of the planet.
Energy Conservation Starts at Home
Managing energy consumption should be one of the highest priorities when evaluating housing options as a student. Seek out accommodations with Energy Star certified appliances and equipment. These meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the EPA. Look for HVAC systems, water heaters, washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, and electronics bearing the Energy Star label. Well-insulated walls, ceilings, windows and doors also help reduce heating and cooling costs substantially. Prop open blinds on sunny winter days to utilize free solar warmth and keep them closed in the summer to block heat. Smart thermostats conveniently optimize temperature settings for comfort and savings. Replace all light bulbs with LEDs which use a fraction of the electricity of traditional incandescents. If solar panels are present on site, utilize free renewable energy from the sun.
Understand whether utilities like electricity, gas and water are included in rent or paid by residents. Having control over energy and water bills motivates students to conserve more. Share tips with housemates about turning off lights, easing up on air conditioning in the summer and dialing down heating in winter. Report any leaky faucets or running toilets immediately. Use appliances efficiently and limit phantom load from electronics in idle mode. Unplug chargers when not in use. Pooling resources into one shared household instead of each person living separately automatically reduces energy and water usage simply from fewer systems running. But conscious conservation efforts among all housemates can greatly magnify savings.
Water: A Precious Resource Not to Waste
In addition to measuring energy efficiency, students should also look at the water systems when assessing housing options. The average college student uses about 142 gallons of water each day. That’s a massive amount of a precious, finite resource just streaming down the drain. Be sure to check for low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets when viewing prospective homes and apartments. Ask about the plumbing fixtures already installed. If they are older, inefficient models, consider a household upgrade. Turn off faucets while brushing teeth and scrubbing dishes. Take shorter showers. Report leaks immediately. Install optional aerators for added flow reduction.
Exploring green living through sustainable and eco-friendly housing options for students unveils the importance of environmentally conscious choices, and for those seeking to delve deeper into the subject, top research paper writing services can provide insightful analyses and perspectives on the intersection of sustainable living and academic research. Consider collecting rainwater in barrels for outdoor irrigation needs instead of using treated water. Have friendly competitions between housemates to motivate reducing waste. Make it a game to see who can take the shortest shower each month. At the end of the term, the winner earns a nice homemade dinner, gets to pick the movie for movie night, or is exempt from a cleaning chore. Share techniques for cutting shower time and sink use. Spread awareness that even small actions add up to significant water savings. Share photos or charts of progress on social media to inspire others towards conservation.
The Power of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Recycling and composting are two of the easiest sustainable practices students can immediately embrace in a shared living space. Check if single-stream recycling is offered by the property or if residents must sort paper, plastic, glass and cans into separate bins. Properly separating recyclables reduces contamination and increases the value of the materials. Set up recycling stations in the kitchen, bathroom, and common areas if they are not already available. Utilize composting to reduce the amount of food scraps and waste ending up in landfills. Many city services offer curbside pickup for compost bins.
Develop household recycling guidelines covering paper, cardboard, plastic containers, aluminum cans, and glass bottles. Consult local guidelines on what can be accepted and educate housemates. Take turns taking out the recycling each week to evenly share the responsibility. Make it a house policy to avoid single-use plastics and disposables in favor of reusable versions. Invest in reusable bags, food containers, water bottles, utensils and napkins. Recycling and composting offer simple yet meaningful ways students can jointly reduce their household waste and environmental impact from the moment they move in.
Transportation Options for Reduced Emissions
Universities located in cities or with housing in close proximity to campus provide students access to sustainable transportation choices like walking, biking and public transit. This enables households to greatly reduce reliance on personal cars and subsequent emissions and fuel consumption. Try to find furnished homes that allow storing bikes securely indoors. Use a single shared car for essential trips instead of bringing multiple vehicles per occupant. Consolidate trips by sharing rides to the grocery store or other common destinations. Reduce individual travel footprints by taking advantage of campus shuttle services and public transportation. For longer trips out of town, look into renting shared vehicles instead of defaulting to bringing personal cars. Living close together and near campus creates built-in opportunities to choose green transit.
Furnish Sustainably with Used and Natural Items
Furnishing a shared student residence sustainably takes creativity and resourcefulness. Check thrift stores and online classifieds for used furnishings in good condition. Many items are available from graduates moving on to new cities after school or previous tenants leaving things behind. Host neighborhood garage sales or exchanges to connect departing students with arriving ones. Upcycling repurposed materials breathes new life into old furniture and decor. when making new purchases, seek out items made from bamboo, hemp, sustainably harvested wood and organic cotton instead of synthetic materials. Support fair trade and local makers over big box stores.
Hand down furnishings to future student residents year after year. A little imagination goes a long way towards furnishing sustainably on a student budget. Tap into the existing recycled material stream and give pre-owned items continued usefulness. Future occupants will appreciate the cost savings in turn. Reduce consumption of new resources by creatively utilizing what already exists.
The Restorative Power of Outdoor Green Spaces
Incorporating green space into student housing provides numerous sustainability benefits as well as improving mood and focus. Seek rental homes boasting yards allowing for gardening. Convert portions of the landscape into flower beds attracting pollinators. Herb gardens provide fresh seasoning for communal meals and famously thrive even in urban conditions. Plant fruit trees and raised vegetable beds to understand food origins and reduce transport miles. Compost food scraps to nourish rich, fertile soil.
Shade trees planted strategically around the housing reduce cooling costs in summer. And nothing beats the restorative power of being immersed in nature and fresh air. Set up comfortable outdoor seating areas to study or socialize. Make it a house policy to unplug and spend time outdoors reconnecting with the natural world each day. Nearby parks and trails further allow convenient access to green spaces beyond the home itself. Abundant vegetation improves sustainability, air quality and overall wellbeing.
Clean without Harmful Chemicals
In shared housing, all occupants share in the responsibility of maintaining clean, sanitary living spaces. Traditionally most cleaning products contain harsh chemicals with untold impacts on human and environmental health. Students can take charge and implement green cleaning practices utilizing natural, non-toxic ingredients with little effort. Standard pantry staples like baking soda, vinegar and lemon get the job done safely. Invest in microfiber cloths and towels which clean efficiently with just water due to their unique texture. Seek out toilet paper, tissues, paper towels and other paper products made from recycled content to further reduce waste footprint.
Minimize paper towel usage by keeping reusable rags on hand. Swap out disposable wipes and napkins for reusable washable versions. Purchase eco-friendly laundry detergent to avoid chemical runoff going down the drain. Check ingredient lists and avoid ambiguous terms like “fragrance” which can mask countless chemical compounds. Clean strategically so less scrubbing is required. Set up a rotating cleaning schedule to evenly distribute tasks among all residents. Model sustainable habits for new generations of students learning to live independently.
Gamify Conservation Efforts for Maximum Impact
Adding elements of fun and friendly competition helps motivate residents to embrace conservation initiatives. Have monthly or quarterly household challenges to reduce consumption. See who can achieve the lowest electric bill that month through diligent energy savings. Give awards to the resident taking the briefest showers or generating the least amount of trash. For added motivation, the winner each month earns rewards like getting to pick the next movie night film or receive a homemade dinner cooked by the other housemates.
Compare results against past months and other shared student housing to keep continually improving. Share progress and success stories on social media to inspire fellow students across campus. Use data tracking and visualization apps to provide insight on usage. Analyzing results over time shows what efforts make the biggest reduction difference day to day. Make sustainability a game rather than a chore. Motivate new generations entering college to care about their ecological impact.
Choose Housing Aligned with Green Values
Living sustainably takes commitment from all housemates but helps conserve resources for future generations. Seek out like-minded individuals when searching for housing who share the same eco-values. Discuss beliefs openly during the housing selection process. Voice expectations for matters like recycling, transportation, cleaning and yard care. Learn from one another’s perspectives and lifestyles. Investigate the environmental policies and practices of prospective landlords and rental companies before signing any lease. Support those making efforts towards sustainability through green building standards, materials and management procedures.
Ultimately, choose housing reflecting your vision for living responsibly within the planet’s ecological limits. View the search as finding a shared community with who you can put values into practice. The transition into independent living during university provides the perfect opportunity to align lifestyle with convictions. Lessons in conservation learned on campus can influence graduates’ choices as they again look for housing out in the world. A positive cycle begins with even small steps.
University life furnishes students tremendous freedom to assert personal priorities in life decisions. Housing presents one of the first and most empowering choices, setting the stage for how students will live and interact with their environment. Selecting green, eco-friendly housing options allows students to walk the talk in minimizing environmental impact from the start. Living aligned with sustainable values in college inspires lifelong change well beyond graduation. The planet’s future depends on the consciousness of emerging generations. Students leading the way forward by example motivate widespread adoption of conservation practices in households across society.
