Did you know there are many easy ways you can reduce your environmental impact?

New Students - Click here for tips on how to start your Suffolk career off greener!

Reduce

• Reduce the amount you throw away everyday.
• Reduce food waste by ordering less and giving away or packing up leftovers. 
• Use reusable items such as travel mugs -- and get a 15 cent discount when you fill them up at Suffolk Cafes!
• Resist the temptation to buy something new that you do not need.  Repair and use the things you already own.
• Use less paper!
  1. Use the Internet or Powerpoint presentations to make information available instead of using paper handouts or mailings. 
  2. Think before you print and print only the section or pages you need.
  3. Make double-sided photocopies. 
  4. Unsubscribe from mailing lists. 
  5. Reduce margin size.

Reuse

• Choose items that are reusable instead of disposable.
• If you have items you no longer need, see if someone you know can use them.  They probably can!
  1. Sign up for a list such as Free Cycle to find a home for items you no longer need. 
  2. Participate in Dump and Run at Suffolk each spring.
  3. Contact recycle@suffolk.edu if you need further assistance.  Suffolk has relationships with many area organizations that benefit from items we no longer need.

Recycle

• Suffolk makes it easy to recycle: glass/metal/plastic, paper, cardboard, electronics, and cartridges. Visit www.suffolk.edu/recycling.  There you can also find information about how to recycle in towns and cities near Suffolk. 
  1. Also, buy products with recycled content to help create a market for recycled materials and close the loop!

Conserve

• Use less energy!
  1. Shut off lights that are not in use. 
  2. Shut off your computer monitor, laptop, printer, photocopy machine, and other equipment before leaving your office for the night.
  3. Shut off and unplug equipment and appliances in your dorm room, apartment, or house.  Politely encourage others to do the same.  Did you know that having your cell phone charger plugged in, even if your phone is not attached, wastes energy?
• Use less water! 
  1. Don’t leave the faucet running when you do not need to (i.e. when brushing teeth or shaving).
  2. Washing a car?  Use a bucket of water instead of a hose, or go to a professional carwash.
• Use less gasoline! 
  1. Use alternatives to driving, such as biking, walking, public transportation, skateboarding, or rollerblading.
  2. If you are going to drive, don’t leave the engine running when you are not driving.  Idling is bad for the environment, public health, your car, and your wallet.
  3. Carpool.
  4. If you are going to buy a car, choose a fuel-efficient (and maybe a hybrid) vehicle.

Get Active

• As a citizen:
  1. Register to vote if you are eligible. 
  2. Research the candidates and support those who support issues that are important to you. 
  3. Contact your elected officials and encourage them to support specific pieces of legislation that promote conservation, preservation, and public health. 
  4. Join a local open space organization to support parks in your community.
  5. Volunteer for a neighborhood clean-up or organize one.
• As a conscious consumer:
  1. Purchase environmentally preferred products such as recycled office paper and napkins, as well as biodegradable, non-plastic cups, plates, and cutlery.  Visit http://www.rateitgreen.com/ and http://www.energystar.gov/.
  2. Do business with socially and environmentally responsible companies.
  3. Encourage companies to improve their environmental practices.
  4. Invest in companies that have a strong environmental commitment. 
• As a member of the Suffolk community:
  1. Keep up to date with events and volunteer opportunities by signing up for the Suffolk Recyclers email list (write to recycle@suffolk.edu).
  2. There are volunteer opportunities year-round.  To get involved, email recycle@suffolk.edu.
  3. Choose campus and local environmental themes for class projects and community service. 
  4. Help organizations or departments with which you are involved adopt environmentally friendly practices such as buying recycled paper, using emails instead of flyers, setting up a scrap paper tray, or planning and running environmentally responsible events. 
• As an environmental champion:
  1. Help people you know learn about positive environmental options such as bike riding and recycling. 

There are many more ways to be friendly to the Earth.  Visit our links page to learn more about how you get involved and serve as a steward of the environment.  For more information, email recycle@suffolk.edu.