In Dining Halls

In the dining halls, take only what you plan to use and eat. This includes food, paper napkins, condiment packets, straws, plastic drink tops, and other disposable items. Some of these items may not be necessary at all.

Many of the food service establishments on or near campus, as well as the dining halls, offer choices for utensils, plates and cups. If you are eating in, use the real silverware, cups and plates. If you are taking food out, bring your own silverware to use, and buy beverages in recyclable containers instead of paper or plastic cups (or carry your own mug.)

Carry your own cloth bandanna or napkin instead of using paper napkins (or use your jeans!)

Take only the silverware, cups and glasses that you plan to use. Why take a fork, knife AND spoon when you only really need a fork? Silverware needs to be washed (using water, cleaning agents and energy) whether you've used it or not.

On Campus

In your travels around campus, going to classes, going to the library, stopping for coffee, or taking a lunch break, keep in mind these simple ways to reduce the amount of waste you generate along the way.

Bring a reusable or thermal plastic mug with you on campus for those trips to the coffee shops. (Paper or polystyrene foam cups can really add up during a semester.)

Copy articles double-sided when possible and request double-sided printing at copy centers.

In libraries, only make copies of materials that you really need, and use machines properly to avoid misprints (this saves you money too).

Think about whether you need to make copies at all. Can you check out the book or journal instead of copying the article or section you want? Do you need to make so many flyers to hang around campus? Post your information on a Web Page or e-mail it instead.

In Computing Sites

You are not likely to be thinking about waste prevention when you are rushing to finish a term paper, but these suggestions are quick and easy to do and can save you time in the long run.

Use the Print Preview function to look at documents before printing, use the spell check and edit on the screen.

Print single-spaced for drafts and save the required double spaced copies for the final version only (Print Preview can tell you if you are within the page limits).

Take some of the printing paper that's been printed on one side, and re-use it for taking notes or as scrap paper instead of using new paper.

If you print it, pick it up! People often send printed documents to the network printers, and fail to pick them up. A real waste of paper.

Save files and e-mail messages electronically, and don't print out a hard copy of everything.

At Home

Whether you live in a residence hall, apartment, or house there are many things you can do to reduce waste.

Post a chalkboard or wipe board for phone messages instead of using paper in your house or in your hall.

Reuse containers and bags from purchased items for carrying your lunch.

Share items and appliances with housemates or roommates (e.g., hair dryers, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, etc.) instead of buying a new one of your own. This will reduce the amount of packaging discarded when you buy the item, and reduce the number of consumer goods that eventually get discarded.

If you have a computer and printer at home, print drafts on the back of used paper for editing. Be sure to edit and check spelling on the screen before printing.

10. Take Shorter Showers If each student in the residence halls reduced their showing time by 1 minute, we could save about 30,000 gallons of water each day.

9. Drive Less Ride the bus, your bike, walk or roller blade whenever possible. Use the Ride Share board at the Student Union or in your residence hall to carpool if you're going on a longer trip.

8. Buy Less Stuff Rent or borrow items that you use infrequently. Share household items, like hair dryers, with your roommate. You can borrow cassettes and CD's from the residence hall library, and read their magazines instead of subscribing to your own.

7. Avoid "Disposables" Students on the go often leave behind a trail of disposable cups, plastic ware and paper napkins. Carry your own mug, folk, and cloth bandana for coffee and meals to go.

6. Don't Take The Bag! You carry and use your knapsack or book bag nearly everywhere you go, so why take that disposable bag from the book store or food store? When they ask "Paper or Plastic?, just say "neither".

5. Buy Recycled Products Recycling only occurs when you "close the loop" and purchase and use products made of recovered materials. Encourage your professors and local copy shops to print class handouts and course packs on recycled-content paper. Double-sided, of course.

4. Avoid Using Hazardous or "Toxic" Substances Certain products like nail polish remover, paints, cleaners and sprays contain chemicals that pose risks to human health and the environment.  Also, choose items that don't require batteries, or use rechargeable ones. If you must use household batteries, dispose of them safely.  For  information on battery recycling, disposal of household hazardous wastes like those listed above please contact Sharon Myers with the Office of Health and Safety at 962-9752, or email her at samyers@email.unc.edu.

3. Stop "Junk Mail" Reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive. Ask organizations and companies to withhold from selling your name to other companies. Mail solicitations back in their business reply envelope. Or, write to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Assoc. 11 West 42nd Street, P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735. Ask them to prevent the selling of your name in the future.

2. Recycle! It's easy to recycle in your residence hall. Use your tote to bring newspapers, glossy magazines, glass bottles, aluminum and metal cans, and plastic jugs to a nearby outdoor recycling site.  Use indoor recycling sites to dispose of white paper, and office fiber paper.

1. Get Eco-Active! There are numerous environmental organizations on campus to join, and community agencies who need volunteers. Check with the Carolina Union for a listing of student activities.