Now that you’re finally headed out on your own, the feeling of freedom and independence can sometimes foster a “live however I want” attitude. While you may be free to do this, consider the little ways you can make your life at school a bit more eco-friendly. After all, you do call the shots so you can finally make a few changes that you always wished your parents would do at home. Before you head off to school this fall, check out this list of five easy ways to go green on campus.

1. School Supplies: When you head to Target for your notebooks, instead of buying bound notebooks, purchase refillable three ring binders and packets of filler paper. You can reuse these notebooks each semester and just add more paper instead of buying a new notebook each time. You should also look for used books in your school’s bookstore. Not only are you saving paper by reusing, but used books usually only cost a fraction of the price of buying new.
2. Do the Dishes: This might be an adjustment for many of us who are used to mom doing the dishes all the time. But, as it turns out, doing the dishes isn’t the scary and unmanageable task you might perceive it to be. Instead of buying disposable plastic or Styrofoam plates and utensils, invest in some cheap dishes. You’ll reduce your contribution to the landfill and save money in the long run. [Read more...]

When it comes to role models, it is very rare that we point to a celebrity as someone you should emulate, but there are a few rare gems in Hollywood who are leading the way when it comes to living more eco-consciously. Sure it’s easier to make the “smart” choices when your bank account is flashing 9 figures, but nevertheless, we’re going to take a minute to give credit where credit is due.Leonardo DiCaprio has stepped into the role as Earth’s number one fan. His eco-centered website focuses on everything from the latest news on the BP oil spill to the declining tiger population in areas of Asia. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti, DiCaprio donated 1 million to the Clinton Bush Haiti fund. In 2007, he produced an environmental documentary, The 11^th Hour, discussing the current state of our planet and what needs to be done to restore our [Read more...]

For years we’ve been seeing and hearing about advancements being made to create more efficient automobiles. Hybrid cars such as the popular Toyota Prius have reduced the amount of gasoline needed to power a vehicle and rely more on an electric battery. Now, after years of anticipation, electric cars are set to hit the market. The Nissan Leaf, which stands for leading, environmentally friendly, affordable, family car, will begin sales in the US this December. Reservations for one of these cars are already being taken for a 99 placeholder fee. This affordable car will cost 32,780, but that’s before federal tax credits which can cover a significant portion of the cost. Another electric car that has been the subject of the green media frenzy is the Tesla Roadster. This is an expensive, luxury, sports car that also runs solely on electricity. These cars will use no gasoline or diesel at all. So, where’s the catch? Much of the ability of these cars to reduce harmful pollutants depends in what state they are used. [Read more...]

The youth of this generation are receiving tremendous exposure to the concepts of living green and are taught early on about the possibility and concern of global warming. However, it’s the babies being born now who will be amongst the first to grow up completely inundated with the green movement. We’ve been shifting our focus to the environment recently and making great strides, but as I was in my car driving yesterday and saw a bumper sticker that read My Baby’s Green, I began to really understand how big a part of our culture this movement has become. Even infants too young to understand the concept of a carbon footprint are being raised in a way that will hopefully facilitate a more sustainable future. It may come as a surprise but there is actually a large and growing industry for green and organic baby products.Living green is a company that sells a diverse range of green products, offering everything from home furnishings to house cleaners to baby products. A line of teenie greenie baby clothes and washcloths made from 100 bamboo fiber offer parents away to start their children out on the green foot. Living green even sells a range of soft and cuddly stuffed animals made from recycled plastic bottles. [Read more...]

You may have heard about the giant mass of trash swirling around in the Pacific Ocean, but what you may not know is what the latest cleanup plan for this mess is. WHIM, a Netherlands based architecture company, has come up with the revolutionary idea of turning this mound of garbage into an inhabitable islandthe size of Hawaii! Though this project may be a bit far-fetched, it’s no joke.Currently, the North Pacific Gyre, which is Northeast of Hawaii is the location of the largest concentration of this plastic waste and is the desired building spot of what will be called Recycled Island. WHIM is suggesting that this island would be a great relocation spot for climate refugees. Because its creation would be through a cleanup project, the island would be very eco-focused, with inhabitants practicing green living habitats. One of what WHIM considers to be a green living habit is the use of compost toilets, which will facilitate the creation of fertile ground. Other green plans for the island include the use of seaweed as a bio fuel and fertilizer and electricity produced by solar and wave energy. [Read more...]