Excited for move-in day? As you start prepping for your move, here are some tips on how to make your living space greener. 

  1. Minimalism: Bring what you can from home and only purchase items you absolutely need. Communicate and coordinate with your roommates on what can be shared to prevent overbuying. 
  2. Shop second hand: Orange is home to an assortment of vintage and  antique shops. Shop at local second hand stores to buy furniture, clothes, and more. Donate your used clothes in the Goodwill bin by Davis and shop at Casa Teresa and Dee Lux in the circle. 
  3. Choose LED or CFL light bulbs: These light bulbs can help reduce the use of electricity. They use about 25-80% less energy and last 3-25 times longer than traditional light bulbs. Turn these off when not in use, or better yet, use natural light!
  4. Turn off power strips: Plug your appliances into power strips which can be easily switched off when not in use. 
  5. Wash full laundry loads: Each washing machine uses an average of 41 gallons of water. Do laundry when you accumulate a full load, and air-dry your clothes.         
  6. Eliminate single-use plastic: Bring your reusable water bottle, which can be refilled at water stations on campus or in the residence halls. Buy reusable dishware, and bring your own bags to stores. 
  7. Try biking or walking: Fortunately, Chapman’s campus is small, and there are lots of restaurants and shops nearby. Biking or walking lessens your carbon footprint and increases your daily exercise! 
  8. Recycle and compost: Figure out what can and cannot be recycled. Check out our waste bin flyers for guidance on how to sort your waste into recycling, compost, and trash. 
  9. Green your cleaning products: Although cleaning products are necessary to keep shared living spaces clean, consider buying from environmentally conscious brands that are better for your health and the environment. Typically, cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) that can be detrimental to the indoor air quality. Look for brands that have products that are biodegradable, low toxicity, low VOC content, and reduced packaging.
  10. Decorate with plants: Houseplants are a great and simple way to dress up your living area, as well as mitigate harmful indoor air pollutants. Check out the local plant stores like the Dragon Fly or The Potting Shed to pick up some plants! 

 

We hope these tips help set you up for a successful, sustainable school year. The perfect time to start living more sustainably is now! 

 

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