\nA simple wish for a better tomorrow<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Tips for a Sustainable Winter Break<\/span><\/h3>\nMany students \u2014 and some faculty and staff \u2014 leave campus during winter break. Following is a list of ideas for how to prepare yourself for a sustainable and meaningful time away. It includes a range of tips covering cooking, energy savings, travel, and more.<\/p>\n
GIFTING<\/strong><\/p>\nReuse gift wrap, or make your own<\/strong>.
\nFact: If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields! If you don\u2019t have last year\u2019s gift wrap to reuse, try using brown packaging paper instead of traditional gift wrap for a more sustainable alternative.
\nInstead of purchasing new ribbons and bows, add scarves, fabric, or handkerchiefs to bring a unique touch to your gift.<\/p>\nBuy Locally and Sustainably<\/strong>.
\nTake a stroll down through a local neighborhood to check out the many stores and restaurants that feature sustainable products and practices. Buying locally also reduces your carbon footprint and promotes social sustainability by supporting the local economy.<\/p>\nSkip material gifts altogether<\/strong>.
\nDo you have a friend or family member who would love cooking classes, karate lessons, or rock concert tickets?<\/p>\nTRAVEL CHECKLIST<\/strong><\/p>\nTime your holiday lights<\/strong>.
\nWhy waste energy on holiday lights when you\u2019re not around to enjoy them? Plug your lights into timers so you can get the most out of your energy usage.
\nEnergy Star rated LED lights are also a great energy upgrade.<\/p>\nTurn down the heat!<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re traveling during the holidays, even for just a couple of nights, make sure to turn the heat in your apartment down to 58 degrees before you leave.<\/p>\nPull the plug<\/strong>.
\nYour trusty coffee maker will miss you enough already; it doesn\u2019t need to be on while you\u2019re not around! Unplug your coffee maker, tea kettle, microwave, and computer before you leave for the holidays. If you use power strips, switch them off, too!<\/p>\nForget the plane ticket, grab a bus<\/strong>.
\nBus tickets are almost always cheaper than flights, and long commutes give you the rare chance to catch up on your recreational reading.<\/p>\nWASTE NOT, WANT NOT<\/strong><\/p>\nEntertain like an environmentalist<\/strong>.
\nFact: U.S. consumers waste 150,000 lbs of food per day, and we can do better.
\nReusable plates and cutlery keep landfills in check. Save those leftovers and share what you can\u2019t eat. Sick of those cheesy potatoes that were only good the first four times? Freeze your leftovers for later. (As for the pie\u2026 we\u2019re not sure you\u2019ll need to freeze that.)<\/p>\nFocus on the experience rather than consumption<\/strong>.
\nFact: Americans throw away about 25% more solid waste between Thanksgiving and New Years.
\nAs college students, we can understand the delight in receiving those much-needed winter boots or heavy socks that will be so useful during midterms in February when its typically very cold. Simply put, we students can\u2019t help getting a little excited at the prospect of receiving a few gifts every now and then. However, we challenge you to focus on the experiences, not gifts. The holidays are for spending time with the people you enjoy most. If you do participate in a gift exchange, ask for and give things that you know will stand the test of time!<\/p>\n
Reuse gift wrap, or make your own<\/strong>. Buy Locally and Sustainably<\/strong>. Skip material gifts altogether<\/strong>. TRAVEL CHECKLIST<\/strong><\/p>\n Time your holiday lights<\/strong>. Turn down the heat!<\/strong> Pull the plug<\/strong>. Forget the plane ticket, grab a bus<\/strong>. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT<\/strong><\/p>\n Entertain like an environmentalist<\/strong>. Focus on the experience rather than consumption<\/strong>.
\nFact: If every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields! If you don\u2019t have last year\u2019s gift wrap to reuse, try using brown packaging paper instead of traditional gift wrap for a more sustainable alternative.
\nInstead of purchasing new ribbons and bows, add scarves, fabric, or handkerchiefs to bring a unique touch to your gift.<\/p>\n
\nTake a stroll down through a local neighborhood to check out the many stores and restaurants that feature sustainable products and practices. Buying locally also reduces your carbon footprint and promotes social sustainability by supporting the local economy.<\/p>\n
\nDo you have a friend or family member who would love cooking classes, karate lessons, or rock concert tickets?<\/p>\n
\nWhy waste energy on holiday lights when you\u2019re not around to enjoy them? Plug your lights into timers so you can get the most out of your energy usage.
\nEnergy Star rated LED lights are also a great energy upgrade.<\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019re traveling during the holidays, even for just a couple of nights, make sure to turn the heat in your apartment down to 58 degrees before you leave.<\/p>\n
\nYour trusty coffee maker will miss you enough already; it doesn\u2019t need to be on while you\u2019re not around! Unplug your coffee maker, tea kettle, microwave, and computer before you leave for the holidays. If you use power strips, switch them off, too!<\/p>\n
\nBus tickets are almost always cheaper than flights, and long commutes give you the rare chance to catch up on your recreational reading.<\/p>\n
\nFact: U.S. consumers waste 150,000 lbs of food per day, and we can do better.
\nReusable plates and cutlery keep landfills in check. Save those leftovers and share what you can\u2019t eat. Sick of those cheesy potatoes that were only good the first four times? Freeze your leftovers for later. (As for the pie\u2026 we\u2019re not sure you\u2019ll need to freeze that.)<\/p>\n
\nFact: Americans throw away about 25% more solid waste between Thanksgiving and New Years.
\nAs college students, we can understand the delight in receiving those much-needed winter boots or heavy socks that will be so useful during midterms in February when its typically very cold. Simply put, we students can\u2019t help getting a little excited at the prospect of receiving a few gifts every now and then. However, we challenge you to focus on the experiences, not gifts. The holidays are for spending time with the people you enjoy most. If you do participate in a gift exchange, ask for and give things that you know will stand the test of time!<\/p>\n